Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design

The Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design at NCAD provides opportunities for learning during the autumn, spring and summer. Over one thousand students attend CEAD courses each year. CEAD offers certificate and non-certificate options, for students who choose to study part-time. In an era of lifelong learning, CEAD aims to provide a diverse programme of courses, which offer flexible, quality learning opportunities, that enable access, support progression and transfer for students who wish to further their visual arts education.

CEAD Autumn Courses 2010

The CEAD 2010 Autumn courses brochure containing full information on the range of courses and the application procedure is now available for download.

The closing date for applications is 9th September 2010.

Download: CEAD Parttime Courses 2010-2011 brochure (PDF 4.7MB)

CEAD Summer Courses: 28th June - 30 July 2010

The Centre for Continuing Education at NCAD, provides courses in art and design for adults who wish to explore their creative potential and learn new skills. CEAD courses offer access to facilities and professional tutorial guidance for individuals who choose to study on a part-time basis. In an era of Lifelong Learning, CEAD aims to celebrate diversity and improve equity for adults who wish to access a visual arts education. It looks to achieve this through the provision of flexible learning opportunities that offer progression and transfer within third level education. Summer courses are at different levels and are suited to beginners, as well as experienced and committed individuals interested in developing their professional practice. Read the course content carefully and consider the appropriate level to suit your skill, experience and learning needs.

Students are advised to book as soon as possible as booking is on a first come first served basis.

Download: CEAD 2010 Summer Courses Brochure (PDF 2.6MB)

2009/2010 Part Time Courses

The 2009/2010 Part Time Courses Student Information and Course Handbook is now available for download.

The handbook includes full course descriptions, dates of courses and information on application procedures and covers Diploma, Certificates, Audit Credit Modules, Foundation courses and Short Courses.

Closing Date for applications was September 17th 2009

Download 2009 /2010 Part Time Courses Student Information and Course Handbook (PDF 6.2 MB)

CEAD offers a range of part-time courses providing progression from non credit to award bearing certificate and diploma courses, for details see short courses listing. CEAD has developed new short courses, a certificate option and in conjunction with the Faculty of Education, the Higher Diploma in Community Arts, Education.

Autumn courses are 22 weeks long and involve attending one night per week from 6.45-9.15 pm. NUI Certificate courses(Design/Photography/Drawing) commence in late September and continue for 24 weeks weeks, students will attend two nights per week. Details on all short courses can be viewed and an application form can be downloaded from this website. Application forms for the NUI Certificate courses are available by contacting the administrator at cead@ncad.ie.

Continuing Education at NCAD, caters for:

Adults who may already have a qualification in visual art or design and want to add to their existing skills and knowledge, or maintain a momentum in their arts practice,
Adults who have demonstrated a commitment to art and design and want to attend intermediate classes and workshops in order to continue in practice and further their learning,
Mature students who wish to return to education and obtain a qualification in visual art education and transfer within the third level system,
School leavers and mature students who want to construct a portfolio for entry to third level,
Students interested in developing a professional qualification in community arts and collaborative practice.

Information on CEAD courses, can be obtained by phoning CEAD at

Administrator: Mary Sampson M.A.: 01 636 4214
Head of Continuing Education, Nuala Hunt, MA, MSc: 01 636 4278
Email: cead@ncad.ie.

Part time Courses 2009-2010

The 2009 Part time audit/credit courses brochure is now available for download

Download: Part-time Audit/Credit modules in art and design (PDF 2.7 MB)

NUI D+VI Certificate option

CEAD offers a one year NUI Certificate, in Drawing and Visual Investigation, D+VI. This course is suitable for adults interested in developing their skills, knowledge and understanding of the drawing process and provides an opportunity to increase individual’s awareness of current discourses surrounding art making processes.

NUI CERTIFICATE: Photography and Digital Imaging (P+DI)

An introduction to concepts and practice in contemporary photography. This one year part-time course offers students an opportunity to extend their visual vocabulary and explore the creative possibilities of photography within contemporary visual art and design practice.

NUI Certificate in Design (Metals or Ceramics)

Teaching, Learning and Professional practice

CEAD is leading a college wide initiative to support excellence in teaching and learning. Emphasis is placed on the scholarship of teaching with awards being offered to staff interested in undertaking research into areas of teaching practice in art and design. A programme of workshops is also offered as part of the teaching and learning initiative to encourage a dynamic around critical issues for learning in art and design at third level.