Your Studies

Dates of Terms
Course Attendance
Internal Student Transfers
Student Exchanges / Exchange Programmes
Time Out Regulations
Withdrawals
Postgraduate Programmes
Postgraduate Open Evening
The Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design (CEAD)
Examinations and Appeals
Open Day
Graduate Shows
Regulations for Degree Shows

Dates of Terms

Session 2011/2012

Semester 1
Monday 26th September 2011 – Friday 16th December 2011 (12 weeks)
College is closed for Christmas break for 2 weeks from Saturday 17th December 2011 2012 – Monday 2nd January 2012 inclusive

Semester 1 (continued)
Tuesday 3rd January 2012 to Friday 20th January 2012 (3 weeks)
No Break

Semester 2
Monday 23rd January 2012 – Friday 30th March 2012 (10 weeks)
Public Holiday Monday 19th March
Easter break Monday 2nd April – Friday 13th April inclusive.
College closed for Easter from Thursday 5th April – Tuesday 10th April inclusive.

Semester 2 (continued)
Monday 16th April – Friday 18th May 2012 (5 weeks)
Public Holiday Monday 7th May 2012

Course Attendance

Students are required to follow the course of studies for which they have registered. Course and attendance requirements are specific to each Faculty/ Department and students must refer to the practice in each area of their course. Students should be aware that the marking for certain courses is on the basis of continuous assessment.

Within seven days of their return to College, students who are absent owing to illness are required to submit a doctor’s certificate for absences of more than two consecutive working days. In the case of Influenza H1N1, special leave arrangements do not require a certificate for 5 working days.

If extenuating personal circumstances arise at any time during the course of the academic year, which affect their studies or attendance, students should make these known immediately to their tutors in both the studio and Visual Culture areas.

Internal Student Transfers

Students cannot transfer to another course at will. During 2nd Year, transfers from one course to another within the College will be considered up to the end of the first six weeks of the academic year. The level of previous achievement reached by the student will be taken into account.

In the case of Joint Course students, consultations must take place with the Studio area and the Faculty of Visual Culture before a final decision can be taken on the transfer of the student from the Joint Course to the 80:20 course. Transfers from the Joint Course will only be considered at the end of an academic year. You must complete the year you commence before any transfer.

All transfer applications should be made on the appropriate Transfer Form available from Reception/ Student Records Office, and put through the relevant Heads of Faculties/Departments.

For further information on transfers consult the Examination Regulations, available from the Library. You should also talk to your Head of Faculty/ Department and Cathy McCartney, the Admissions Officer (Ext. 4204).

Student Exchanges/ Exchange Programmes

NCAD participates in exchange and placement programmes through the EU Lifelong Learning Programme that includes the Erasmus Programme. We also have exchange agreements with colleges in the USA and Canada.

Students interested in participating in an exchange or placement programme should contact Berna Scanlan in the International Unit (Ext. 4375).

Exchanges and placements normally take place during the second/third terms of Year 3 for undergraduate students.

Students on exchange will be required to meet the Visual Culture deadline as well as presenting for all Chief Studies examinations. In the case of students who exchange in Term 3, or are on Co-Op, Visual Culture essays must be submitted as stipulated by the Faculty.

Chief Study areas will have to arrange for examinations to be held for such students prior to the Autumn Examination Board meeting, normally held in the third week of September. Additional examination extensions will not apply in such cases.

All students who are away on Co-op or study periods abroad must supply their e-mail address to both their Head of Department and the Visual Culture Faculty Secretary.

Incoming Exchange students will be required to fill out a specific NCAD form (available from the Department they enter) unless they have already done so at application stage. The completed form supplies important information for registration and in case of any emergency.

Time Out Regulations

Time Out is defined as a period of time of not more than one year, which a student takes away from his or her course in the College.Students seeking Time Out will need to have successfully completed all requirements in all examination subjects to the last year of study.

Students proposing to take Time Out may only do so with the agreement of their Head of Faculty or Department to whom they should apply by the end of May. They must also put this request in writing to the Registrar by the 31st May.

Applications received after 1st June to 31st August will only be considered if they are accompanied by the appropriate supporting documentation such as evidence of financial difficulties, medical certificate etc. Other applications received will be considered as withdrawals from the course.

The Head of Faculty will inform the Registrar of students intending to take Time Out. Only Time Out which has been granted to the student in writing by the Registrar will be recognised by the College.

Students must notify the Registrar in writing of their intention to return to the course by 1st May prior to the academic year to which they have to return. Students failing to do this may be unable to re-enter the course.

Fourth Year students who take the decision to withdraw from their course must inform the Admissions Office of their decision by 31st January or they will be included in the Examination Register to the NUI and will therefore be considered as presenting for final examinations.

For further information, please read the Examination Regulations, available in the Library, or contact the Admissions Office.

Withdrawals

If you are thinking of leaving your course (permanently or not) for any reason, you must remember that it is very important not to just “drop out”. If you leave your course in the right way, you will keep some of your entitlement to “Free Fees” either at NCAD or in another college and possibly your grant if you are a grant holder.

The first thing to do is to talk to your course tutor or Head of Department. Then come to Reception and ask to speak to the Admissions officer who can advise you on the regulations covering the Free Fees scheme and the grant schemes in relation to leaving a course and on any other implications of leaving the course.

For instance, Final Year students who are considering leaving or taking “time out” should be aware that it may have an impact on their final examination grade if they later resume their studies, depending on the time of the year they leave the course and their reason for doing so.

If you decide to leave you must do so by writing a brief letter to the Academic Affairs, Professor Siún Hanrahan, giving the date of your last attendance in College, or fill in a Course Withdrawal Form available at Reception.

All NCAD Library books must be returned. Students gone “off the Register” who wish to continue to use the Library should consult the Library staff.

Grant holders should advise their Grant Authority of their withdrawal in order to preserve any future entitlement to grant assistance.

Postgraduate Programmes

The NCAD is open to graduates who wish to pursue studies leading to the award of an MA or PhD degree.

PhD – Doctoral Programmes at NCAD

NCAD welcomes applications from suitably qualified students to undertake PhD programmes in each of our Faculties:

PhD through Practice in Design
PhD through Education
PhD through Practice in Fine Art.
PhD through Visual Culture

The key issue in undertaking PhD studies is that the student will make a significant contribution to the field of enquiry. It is an ambitious programme of study whether pursued through practical work or written thesis. At NCAD a PhD programme normally requires a minmum of three years full-time study (but may require longer given the standard of achievement required).

Applicants interested in an opportunity to discuss a proposed topic of research and/or practice should contact the Head of Academic Affairs and Research, Dr. Siún Hanrahan at extension 4210 or by email at postgraduate@ncad.ie

Masters Programmes at NCAD

The MA by Research degree is open to candidates who wish to extend their knowledge of their chosen field of study through individual research under tutorial guidance culminating in a presentation of studio project work and/or thesis.

MA applications will be considered from graduates and final year students in all NCAD’s fields of study.

For more information contact Debbie Reddin, Ext.4203, Admissions office or by email at reddind@ncad.ie

NCAD also offers five Taught MA programmes:

MA: Art in the Digital World
MA: Art in the Contemporary World
MA: Design History & Material Culture
MA: Visual Arts Education
MSc: Medical Devices Design

The MA degree is open to candidates who wish to extend their knowledge of their chosen field of study through individual research under tutorial guidance culminating in a presentation of studio project work and/or thesis.

MA applications will be considered from graduates and final year students in all NCAD fields of study. PhD applications will also be considered where research towards a written thesis or studio-based creative practice supported by written documentation is expected.

For more information, contact Debbie Reddin (ext. 4203) in the Admissions Office.

NCAD also offers the following taught masters

MA – Art in the Digital World
MA – Art in the Contemporary World
MA – Design History & Material Culture
MA -Visual Arts Education
MA – Medical Devices Design

MA: Art in the Digital World

This unique course looks at how contemporary art practice responds to the Digital World and students are accepted onto this MA by interview process. With the exception of the initial written research proposal from each student, this course is a studio based, practice centred course which is supported by a programme of theoretical lectures and seminars. The course is open to graduates from creative backgrounds who seek the opportunity to recast their existing practice in light of, and in response to, the possibilities provided by new digital and virtual media technologies.

For further information, please contact Course Coordinator, Ms. Leah Hilliard, Ext. 4339 or by email at hilliardl@ncad.ie

MA: Art in the Contemporary World

This innovative programme welcomes graduates from a variety of backgrounds including, fine art, art history, philosophy, literature, film studies, architecture, communications or design. The course examines contemporary art practices and their critical, historical and social contexts and is composed of four related strands of study:

Practices – a year-long seminar exploring the range and diversity of current international and local art practices; Situations – a range of elective modules; Theories – running over the full year and comprising one seminar per semester and, Writing – a student led seminar running through the year in which participants explore and critique different models and strategies for writing on art.

Further information is available from Course Coordinator, Declan Long , Ext. 4346 or by email at longd@ncad.ie.

MA: Design History & Material Culture

This Taught Masters is a pioneering programme which examines the history of design and material culture from the eighteenth century through to the present day and is the only programme of its kind in Ireland. This programme is delivered annually in both full-time and part-time modes – over twleve months for full-time students and twenty-four months for part-time students.

We encourage applicants from a variety of disciplines including, art/design practice, architecture, art history, sociology, cultural studies, history, literature, folklore, economics and communications. Students develop and cultivate their own personal research interests.

For further information, please contact Course Coordinator, Ms. Anna Moran, Ext. 4353 or by email at morana@ncad.ie

MA: Visual Arts Education

This programme aims to help create an active community of educators in the arts who can give leadership to arts-based education and research and who can contribute constructively to the formulation of policy and practice in education at local, national and international level.

The course intake is consciously directed at a diverse population of arts educators including, educators, primary and post-primary level teachers, lecturers, school principals and deputy principals, inspectors, artists, art therapists, health workers, community art workers, museum and gallery education officers and arts officers.

This MA is designed for an annual intake of approximately 15 students based at NCAD over four semesters (two academic years).

Further information is available from: Professor Gary Granville, Head of Education Faculty at Ext. 4300 or by email at granvilleg@ncad.ie

MSc: Medical Device Design

This new exciting and innovative programme – which is a collaboration with Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin – will provide industrial designers with a wide range of modules to support their work in the medical devices industry.

The programme aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and expertise to allow them to work as designers of medical devices and to pioneer new approaches to the solution of medical problems. Central to the course methodology will be an understanding of the broader issues of medical devices needed to optimise opportunities for improved designs.

Further information is available from the Course Coordinatory, Mr. Paul Fortune at Ext. 4272 or by email at fortunep@ncad.ie

Postgraduate Diplomas

The Faculty of Education at NCAD also offers two Postgraduate Diplomas:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Art & Design Education (Pgrad.Dip ADE)
The Postgraduate Diploma in Community Arts Education (H.DipCAE)

The Higher Diploma in Art & Design Education (H.DipADE) is a one-year full-time course for the purposes of teaching art and design at secondary level.

Further information available from Dervil Jordan at Ext. 4304 or by email at jordand@ncad.ie or through the Admissions office.

The Higher Diploma in Community Arts Education (H.DipCAE) is a one-year full-time course for graduates who are interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding of community arts.

Further information from Nuala Hunt (CEAD – Continuing Education in Art & Design) at Ext. 4278 or email at cead@ncad.ie or from Dervil Jordan at Ext. 4304 or by email at jordand@ncad.ie

Postgraduate Open Evening

A Postgraduate Open Evening is held each year in NCAD to welcome potential postgraduate students and to give them an opportunity to discuss postgraduate study options at NCAD.

All current Undergraduate students are invited to the Postgraduate Open Evening which takes place this year on Saturday 10th December 2011 from 10.00 – 3.00pm. Notices outlining all details will be posted around the College and on the website in advance.

Postgraduate Induction Day

The Postgraduate Induction Day will take place this year on Friday, 30th September 2011.

A general College Induction will take place in the morning with individual Faculty inductions in the afternoon. Advance notice and programme for the day will be posted on the college website

Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design - CEAD

The Centre for Continuing Education offers a range of part-time evening and summer courses commencing in the autumn, daytime courses during Easter and one and two week long courses in July each year.

Courses include: painting, drawing, jewellery design, ceramics, fashion illustration, embroidery, photography, printmaking, sculpture, bronze casting, stained glass and portfolio preparation.

CEAD also provide a range of part-time NUI Certificate courses, in photography digital Imaging, Drawing and Visual investigation, and Visual Art Practice, each course carries ECTS credits and offers progression to a part-time Diploma. The courses are primarily for mature students who are committed to developing a professional art or design practice and want to progress within third level.For further information contact CEAD at Ext. 4214, download course information from the college website, email cead@ncad.ie or call into the administrator in the main reception area of the College.

For further information on CEAD click here.

Examinations and Appeals

Examination timetables will be posted in the Faculties/Departments. The dates of publication of Examination Results will be on the Examination Notice Board and will also be advertised in the Faculties and Departments and on the College website. All students are required to check their examination results on the Examination Notice Board before leaving the College for the summer. All results are also posted onto the College website, www.ncad.ie

You will need your student number to access your results (see student card). If your name is NOT on the list, you must contact the Admissions Office immediately. Please note that students who do not have all fees paid, will not be admitted to Examinations in that year.

All students who are deferred to the Autumn Exam Board will be charged €100 for the repeat examination. Copies of the Examination Regulations (both NUI & HETAC) are also held in the library and in the Student’s Union. You can also get all documentation in the Reception of Student Services and Admissions.

There is a strict procedure to be adhered to if you wish to appeal your Examination results so it is important to know what is contained within the Examination Appeals document. An appeal can only be made on one or other of the following grounds, where it is claimed that:

a) The Examination Regulations of the College have not been properly implemented.

b) Compassionate circumstances exist which relate to a student’s examination situation.

The appeal must be lodged within a specified period after publication of the results (normally two weeks). Where appeals arise, the appeal is not heard until mid-September.

Open Day - Undergraduate

Thursday 1st December 2011. An open day for prospective students is held once a year. This is held on the first Thursday of December when all Faculties and Departments will be open to visiting schools. Each Department will have an information stand located in the School of Design for Industry and following that, the visitors will be free to look around their area of interest.

It is a busy but interesting day and students who would like to be involved in the organisation should contact their Head of Faculty/Department, the Students’ Union, or Deirdre Clinkscales in the Registrar’s Office.

Graduate Shows

The main exhibitions of the year are the graduate exhibitions held in early June. These kick off with the Fashion Show on 19th May at 8.00pm. This is followed by the final year Degree Exhibition opening on Friday 8th June at 6.00pm. The show will be open to the public until 17th June 2012.

Regulations for Degree Shows

The following is effectively an agreement between the College and the exhibiting students outlining the responsibilities of College staff and students with regard to the orderly conduct of the degree shows:

All work areas must be vacated by the dates agreed by individual Heads.
Where work is being shown at a location other than the student’s studio, the work must be appropriately packed and ready for transportation on the dates agreed and advised by Heads.
All work should be mounted in place with the related notebooks and back-up information on dates that are set in individual Faculties and Departments.
In the exhibition space the student is responsible for their work and for any alterations that are required to that space. Only alterations that have been agreed with the Buildings Officer and the Head of Department can proceed. Where students carry out any work that is not in accordance with the agreement of the Buildings Officer, they will be financially liable for the costs of reinstating the relevant area.

Under no circumstances can the students do the following:
-Paint the allocated area either on the walls or on the floor without prior agreement with the Buildings Officer.
- Remove doors or partitions that are already installed.
- Affix any attachments to the fabric of buildings without prior agreement of the Buildings Officer.
- Block fire exits or fire extinguishers.
- Remove lighting or install lighting from another location.
Any work that is still in the College one week after the end of the exhibition will be removed by the College authorities and disposed of as deemed appropriate. The College will have no liability for work removed in this manner and it will be the responsibility of the student to ensure that the work is appropriately removed in accordance with their wishes.
Students are reminded that work on exhibition is not insured. Therefore, students are advised that the safety and security of their property is their own responsibility, and they should ensure that their exhibition work is supervised while it is on exhibition and until they remove it from the College premises.
Where work has been sold, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the work is delivered to the purchaser.
It will be the responsibility of each Head of area and the full-time Technical Assistants within that area to ensure that each exhibition space that is being used by their students is cleared completely by the date set by the College authorities. Arrangements must be agreed where appropriate with the Head Attendant and Buildings Officer, and it is particularly important where exhibitions are being held by Departments in locations other than those under their control, that areas be reinstated to the condition in which they were handed over.
Many items are stored in other locations outside of the main or relevant Faculty or Department during the course of the exhibition and it is the duty of Heads of areas and their Technical Assistants to ensure that these items are returned to their proper location by the due date.
Art and design work produced by students of NCAD on course programmes and projects is routinely photographed and archived. By virtue of registration in NCAD, students assign to the College the copyright in such images of their work for the purpose of promoting the College and its courses, and for that purpose alone.

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