Postgraduate Study at NCAD

Artists, designers, theorists, critics, historians, educators and other cultural workers undertake postgraduate studies at NCAD, attracted by a dynamic environment attuned to the latest developments in art, design, education, visual culture, criticism and theory.

We offer professional and graduate diplomas, taught MA programmes as well as research degrees (MLitt, MRes and PhD) at NCAD. We welcome ‘practice-based’ and ‘by thesis’ research in all our fields of study across Art, Design, Education and Visual Culture.

There is also the option to join credited-classes offered by the Creative Futures Academy, a ground-breaking partnership between three leading creative institutions in Dublin: NCAD, University College Dublin, and the Institute of Art Design + Technology. 

Postgraduate students access methods, ideas, critical processes and approaches, share with peers, and interact with world-class practitioners.

A large and research-active academic staff team at NCAD supplemented by specialist visiting and part-time lecturers, and Postdoctoral, Research and Fulbright Scholars form a rich learning and research community.

We can provide the critical, disciplinary and technical expertise to support our postgraduate students to practice at the forefront of their chosen discipline.

Masters Programmes

Masters Programmes

Click through to see all Masters Degree options in NCAD. Including info on course structure, application deadlines. This includes programmes supported by the Creative Futures Academy

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Professional Development- Short Courses

These are shorter programmes at Award Level 9. These programmes are supported by the Creative Futures Academy, a partnership between three leading creative institutions: The National College of Art and Design, Universit....

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Masters of Research

The Masters of Research is a 12 month (FT) or 24 month (PT) programme that enables students to design, research and deliver a research project ‘by practice’ or ‘by thesis’.

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Doctoral Study at NCAD

Every year NCAD recruits a small number of research students who, working closely with their supervisors, develop and then follow bespoke programmes of study. They join a community of c. 20 full time and part time docto....

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Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

There are a limited number of Scholarships available for Postgraduate Study in NCAD. We also encourage applicants to seek out funding opportunities that may be available to them.

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International Postgraduate

We have answered some common questions that come up for International Applicants. Take a look and let us know if there is anything else we can help with

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Alumni Stories

News and updates from the NCAD graduate network. Find out about our graduates' careers and inspirations.

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