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International 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.

General information for International Undergraduate Applicants from outside the EU or EFTA

If you are an EU/EFTA undergraduate applicant, please follow this link.

If you are a postgraduate applicant, please follow this link.

NCAD welcomes applications from qualified applicants from all over the world and each application will be considered on an individual basis. You will apply directly to NCAD via our website (see tab 3, Apply).

Entry to studio programmes is based on meeting minimum academic requirements as well as the submission of a portfolio. (Exception: 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.

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.

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.

More help

International applicants will find additional useful information on the Irish Council for International Students website.

Contact NCAD Admissions
Email: admissions@ncad.ie
Find out more about studying at NCAD
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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.

For 2022, Portfolio submission to NCAD will be 100% digital. This means you will scan / photograph / film your work and upload it to NCAD via our Portfolio Submission Platform.

Entry to studio programmes is based on meeting minimum academic requirements as well as the submission of a portfolio. (Exception: 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 can dowlonad the Portfolio Guide here.

When to Submit Your Portfolio

NCAD will contact you by email after you submittted you application. This email will invite you to submit a portfolio via NCAD's Portfolio Submission Platform. You wil not be invited to make a portfolio Submission unitl after you have submitted necessaryn documentation.

Contact NCAD Admissions

Email: admissions@ncad.ie

Find out more about studying at NCAD

Follow NCAD

NCAD Twitter @NCAD_Dublin

NCAD Instagram @ncad_dublin

NCAD Facebook @NCAD.Dublin

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).

International applications are now open at the links below.

Portfolio Submissions are made online through our Online Portfolio Submissions Platform.

Key Dates and Deadlines

For International (non-EU) applicants to First Year there is a rolling deadline throughout the academic year. We suggest that all applications are completed by the priority deadline of 31st March.

Applicants should apply using our Online Application system for International Applicants, see below.

NOTE: International applicants are NOT required to apply through the CAO by the 1st February deadline.

What you will need

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.
2 academic references. If you are unable to provide 2 academic references, we will consider one academic reference from your high school or equivalent. The second can be a professional or a personal reference.
English language achievement certificate.
Your portfolio.

All uploaded documents should be clearly labelled in the following manner: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_DOCUMENT

e.g. MURPHY_JOHN_TRANSCRIPT or SMITH_MARY_REFERENCE1

Application Fee

A non-refundable fee of €55 is payable per applicant per academic year. 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 number.