Postgraduate Study in Fine Art: MA - Art in the Digital World

(formerly MA Virtual Realities)

This unique course looks at how contemporary art practice responds to the Digital World. 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. Students acquire new a range of technical skills while developing a research practice. Former students on the course have included painters, architects, filmmakers, computer scientists, photographers, theologians and musicians. For more detail see Alumni page

Each student develops their own research agenda and cultivates personal research interests through the Major Research Project. This self-set project examines themes and questions and engages particular personal interests in aspects of digital culture.

The Master of Arts: Art in the Digital World combines visual art, digital production and postproduction skills, creative content development, critical studies in contemporary art and digital culture, research methods training, research seminar processes, project management, as well as opportunities for unique placement and international exchange experiences.The course is within the Media Department within the Faculty of Fine Art and has dedicated equipment and technical staff.

The Master of Arts: Art in the Digital World comes under the skills conversion scheme, which means EU students’ fees are subsidised. For 2008-2009 EU students’ fees were € 1,794.

Course Philosophy:

The course encourages students to question the nature of the relationship between the Virtual and the Real - and the increasing mediation of culture - in their own area of practice and concern. The course is a staging area for individuals who wish to engage with and drive the debate surrounding digital technology and contemporary art practice.

Structure:

The course is made up of four semesters of 15 weeks each that run over 2 academic years.

Tuesday is the key day with students attending workshops and seminars, other optional activities happen throughout the week. The course consists of:

Regular scheduled individual supervision,
A series of classes and workshops in relevant digital processes, applications and techniques,
Weekly research seminar,
A series of studio 'crits',
An introductory course on research methodologies,
A visiting lecturer series
A set of international study trips.

The programme also offers the opportunity for a period of study abroad through (normally in the first part of year 2), as well as time on artist’s placement with an appropriate organisation in Ireland (normally in the second-half of year 1). These opportunities for specialised study are discussed with the teaching team in the Media Department.
For more information see FAQ’S

Application Guidelines

You are required to submit a clear statement of intent (minimum of 500 words) which indicates your reason for wishing to pursue the programme and what you hope to achieve. (5 copies)
The application must be supported by visual documentation or other documentation demonstrating your previous practical work, e.g. slides, CD, video, catalogues, etc. Slides must be accompanied by a slide list.

Want to know more?

Frequently asked questions

Alumni page

View our Guidelines for Applicants

Print out an Application Form

Further details can be obtained directly from the course coordinator Leah Hilliard

Download: NCAD Postgraduate Prospectus 2010-2011 - (PDF 2.1 MB)

Contact

If you have specific questions about postgraduate applications please contact the Admissions Office at:

Phone: 353 (0)1 6364200
Fax: 353 (0)1 6364207
E-mail: fios@ncad.ie

Office Hours 9:30-12:45 and 14:00-17:00.

[The Admissions Office is closed to the public on Friday afternoons.]

If you have more general questions about postgraduate study at NCAD please contact: postgraduate@ncad.ie