International Undergraduate Applications
NCAD is home to students from over 40 countries around the world. Here you will find information on the International undergraduate application process, your portfolio submission, key dates and deadlines, English language requirements, fees, and anything you need to know about applying to NCAD as an International Undergraduate student.
Céad Míle Fáilte (100,000 Welcomes!)
NCAD welcomes applications from qualified applicants from all over the world and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
Entry to studio programmes is based on meeting minimum academic requirements as well as the submission of a portfolio. Applications to AD215 BA Visual Culture do not require a portfolio.
Students from outside Ireland / EU who wish to apply to degree courses at NCAD must have a High School Qualification from their home country which is the equivalent to the Irish School Leaving Certificate. If you wish to apply with other qualifications (Third Level courses, etc.) these will also be considered.
International applicants are required to submit certified transcripts of their second-level or equivalent examinations. You will need to submit a certified English translation of your transcripts as well as the original language version.
Note re Ukrainian Undergraduate Applicants
All applicants who have been displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and who have been granted Temporary Protection in Ireland, are eligible to apply on the same basis as an EU applicant via Central Applications Office (CAO). Whether you are presenting the Irish Leaving Certificate or other qualifications, you should refer to details on the CAO website for further information www.cao.ie
If you have any further questions please contact the Admissions Office admissions@ncad.ie
Coming to study in Ireland
The Department of Justice here in Ireland have information available on their website here
International applicants will find additional useful information on the Irish Council for International Students website.
Advanced Entry
An application to any year after Year 1 is called Advanced Entry. Entry to year 2 / 3 / 4 of a programme is reviewed on a case-by-case basis; there is no automatic entry based on any specific previous qualification; all applications are reviewed individually.
This year NCAD will only consider applications for Advanced Entry to
- AD210 Jewellery & Objects
- AD212 Product Design
- AD222 Interaction Design
- AD204 Fine Art in the following pathway,
- Applied Materials which is a choice of
-Textile Art & Artefact
-Ceramics & Glass
- Applied Materials which is a choice of
- AD215 Visual Culture
Students from outside Ireland / EU applying to Years 2, 3 or 4 of courses must also submit certified transcripts of their third-level college examinations, together with two letters of recommendation from their college: one from either the Director of their college or their Head of Department, and one from their course tutor.
In the case of applicants to Years 2, 3 or 4 these documents should be uploaded when completing the online application form.
Please note that places for advanced entry applications are extremely limited and we strongly recommend that you apply for Year 1 also.
Contact NCAD Admissions
Email: admissions@ncad.ie
Find out more about studying at NCAD
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Applications are now closed for most Studio Courses 2023
Portfolio Submission and Guidelines for International Undergraduate Applicants
If you are an EU/EFTA undergraduate applicant, please follow this link.
If you are a postgraduate applicant, please follow this link.
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Entry to studio programmes is based on meeting minimum academic requirements as well as the submission of a portfolio.
Applications to AD215 BA Visual Culture do not require a portfolio.
International applicants may choose to respond to the Portfolio Guide or submit their own portfolio of work.
You will find lots of information and guidance on creating your entrance portfolio for NCAD here - Portfolio
When to Submit Your Portfolio
NCAD will contact you by email after you have submitted you application. This email will invite you to submit a portfolio via NCAD's Portfolio Submission Platform. You will not be invited to make a portfolio Submission until after you have submitted your application.
Contact NCAD Admissions
Email: admissions@ncad.ie
Follow NCAD
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Applications are now closed for most Studio Courses 2023
Applications are still open for
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AD215 BA Visual Culture
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AD212 Product Design (Portfolio Submission Required)
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AD222 Interaction Design (Portfolio Submission Required)
Application Process for International Undergraduate Applicants
If you are an EU/EFTA undergraduate applicant, please follow this link. If you are a postgraduate applicant, please follow this link.
International applications are submitted via the NCAD website. International Applicants do not apply through the CAO (Central Applications Office).
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Step 1: Click on the relevant link in the Apply Now Tab | Step 2: Fill in your details
Step 3: Upload your Supporting Documents
You can also submit your application even before you upload the necessary documents.
You can not add new documents after you have submitted.
Additional documents can be sent to admissions@ncad.ie and we will upload them on your behalf.
Step 4: Pay the application fee & submit your application to NCAD
If you are applying for multiple Postgraduate Programmes then you are only obliged to pay the application fee once.
Complete your application as far as the fee payment page
Click save + exit
Email admisisons@ncad.ie and let us know you are ready to submit and we will submit the application on your behalf.
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Course | Application Deadline | Portfolio Submission Deadline |
| AD101 Common Entry | 1st February | 10th February |
| AD102 Graphic Design/Moving Image Design | 1st February | 10th Febuary |
| AD202 Education & Fine Art/Design | 1st February | 10th February |
| AD204 Fine Art | 1st February | 10th February |
| AD211 Fashion Design | 1st February | 10th February |
| AD217 Illustration | 1st February | 10th February |
| AD212 Product Design | 1st July | 1st July |
| AD215 Visual Culture | N/A | 1st July |
| AD222 Interaction Design | 1st July | 1st July |
Application Fee
A non-refundable fee of €55 is payable per applicant per academic year. You are only asked to pay the fee once. Candidates applying to more than one programme are asked to contact admissions@staff.ncad.ie to allow for their application fee to be transferred across programmes. Once you have paid the fee once, you will not have to pay it again for any new applications in the same year.
Complete all the details for your second (or third etc) application. Once you reach the Fee Payment page, click "save+exit". Email the admissions office and we will then submit the application on your behalf. Make sure to include your application reference number.
Contact NCAD Admissions
Email: admissions@ncad.ie
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Application Links
The following applications are for International Undergraduate Students only.
If you are an EU/EFTA undergraduate applicant, please follow this link.
If you are a postgraduate applicant, please follow this link.
| Link to Prospectus Page | Course Code | Years Available | Application Link | |
| First Year Common Entry | Link here | AD101 | 1 | Applications now closed |
| School of Design | ||||
| Graphic Design | Link here | AD102 | 1 | Applications now closed |
| Moving Image Design | Link here | AD102 | 1 | Applications now closed |
| Jewellery & Objects | Link here | AD103 | 1+ | Applications now closed |
| Textile & Surface Design | Link here | AD103 | 1 | Applications now closed |
| Fashion Design | Link here | AD211 | 1 | Applications now closed |
| Product Design | Link here | AD212 | 1+ |  |
| Illustration | Link here | AD217 | 1+ | Applications now closed |
| Interaction Design | Link here | AD222 | 1 | |
| School of Fine Art The BA in Fine Art is divided into a number of Pathways which are outlined below. Please ensure that you specify which pathway you are applying for in your application. |
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Fine Art -Media |
Link here -Media |
AD204 | 1 | Applications now closed |
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Applied Art -Ceramics and Glass |
Link here- Ceramics and Glass |
AD105 | 1+ | Applications now closed |
| School of Education | ||||
| Education & Design/Fine Art^ | Link here | AD202 | 1 | Applications now closed |
| School of Visual Culture | ||||
| Visual Culture | Link here | AD215 | 1+ | |
^For the BA in Education you can choose:
- BA in Education & Design or
- BA in Education & Fine Art
English Language Requirements
All programmes in NCAD are taught through English. International Applicants are asked to provide proof of their English Language Proficiency.
Full details of acceptable tests and the standard required can be found at the following link English Language Requirement.
Portfolio
Applicants applying for Studio Courses in NCAD are expected to present a portfolio as part of their application.
Details on portfolio submission can be found here.
Essential Documents
You will need to supply a number of documents to support your application. This is a checklist of what you will need to have ready:
- Transcripts of your high school final exams, or the equivalent.
- We ask for two copies; one in your home language and one certified translation in English.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
Document Description
When uploading documents please make sure you label them clearly in the description box like in the example below.
