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  (Infromation correct for entry 2023, updates will be posted as received for entry 2024) 

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.

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 2024.

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

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

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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 9th February
AD102 Graphic Design/Moving Image Design 1st February 9th Febuary
AD202 Education & Fine Art/Design 1st February 9th February
AD104 Fine Art and Applied Art  1st February 9th February 
AD211 Fashion Design 1st February 9th February
AD217 Illustration 1st February 9th 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
School of Design
Graphic Design Link here AD102 1+
Moving Image Design Link here AD102 1+
Jewellery & Objects Link here AD103 1+
Textile & Surface Design  Link here AD103 1+
Fashion Design  Link here AD211 1+
Product Design Link here AD212 1+
Illustration  Link here AD217 1+
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. 

Fine Art

-Media
-Painting
-Sculpture
-Print

Link here -Media
Link here -Painting
Link here -Sculpture
Link here -Print

AD104 1+

Applied Art

-Ceramics and Glass
-Textile Art and Artefact

Link here- Ceramics and Glass
Link here- Textile Art and Artefact

AD104 1+
School of Education
Education & Design/Fine Art^ Link here AD202 1
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.