About the university
The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) is a public college specialising in art, design and art education. Its roots go back to 1746, when the Dublin Society took over a private drawing school, and the present college was established by an Act of the Oireachtas in 1971. It is a recognised college of University College Dublin (UCD).
NCAD teaches fine art, applied art, design (graphic, interaction, product, fashion, illustration, jewellery and textiles), visual culture and art education. At master's level it is known for graphic design, interaction design, service design and the MSc in Medical Device Design.
Indian students usually look at NCAD for its full-time design master's courses: MA Graphic Design, MA Interaction Design and the MSc in Medical Device Design, each €16,500 for non-EU students in 2026/27. Part-time places are not open to non-EU students, so you need a full-time course.
The campus is on Thomas Street in Dublin 8, in the city centre. NCAD has no on-campus housing, so students rent privately nearby.
- Origins
- 1746; the National College of Art and Design was established by an Act of the Oireachtas in 1971
- Type
- Public college of art and design; a recognised college of UCD
- Students
- Over 1,300 full-time and about 700 part-time
- International mix
- Students from over 40 countries
- Campus
- One city-centre campus, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
- Intakes
- September only
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €16,500
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €16,500
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €16,500
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €16,500
- Duration
- MA 1 year full time; MFA adds a trimester
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
MA/MFA in Art in the Contemporary World
- Fee / year
- €13,500
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €14,500
- Duration
- MA 1 year full time
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €14,500
- Duration
- MA 1 year full time; MFA adds a trimester
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
MA/MFA in Art and Social Action
- Fee / year
- €14,500
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band), TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA in Interaction Design | Full time; see course page | €16,500 | ≈ ₹17.5 lakh |
| MA Graphic Design | Full time; see course page | €16,500 | ≈ ₹17.5 lakh |
| MSc in Medical Device Design | Full time; see course page | €16,500 | ≈ ₹17.5 lakh |
| MA/MFA Painting | MA 1 year full time; MFA adds a trimester | €16,500 | ≈ ₹17.5 lakh |
| MA/MFA in Art in the Contemporary World | Full time; see course page | €13,500 | ≈ ₹14.3 lakh |
| MA/MFA Art and Health | MA 1 year full time | €14,500 | ≈ ₹15.4 lakh |
| MA/MFA Art and Ecology | MA 1 year full time; MFA adds a trimester | €14,500 | ≈ ₹15.4 lakh |
| MA/MFA in Art and Social Action | Full time; see course page | €14,500 | ≈ ₹15.4 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at National College of Art and Design with similar universities in Ireland.
Scholarships
- Master's
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
Value: Full fee waiver (tuition and registration) for one year; materials not covered
Eligibility: Full-time MA Art in the Contemporary World, MA Art and Social Action or MA Art and Health, with a full or conditional offer; NCAD can host two scholars. 2027 dates not yet published.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's
ICOS Ireland Fellows Programme
Value: Not stated by NCAD
Eligibility: Students from eligible developing countries on the full-time MA in Interaction Design or MSc in Medical Device Design; check irishaidfellowships.ie for country eligibility.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Non-EU applicants apply directly on the NCAD website and pay a €55 application fee; you need a school qualification equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate.
- Studio programmes need a portfolio; for 2027 entry the portfolio deadline is 12 February 2027 (5pm Irish time). Product Design, Interaction Design and Visual Culture take late applications until 1 May 2027.
- Applications for 2027 entry open in November 2026. Advanced entry to years 2–4 closes on 31 March 2027 and places are very limited.
Postgraduate
- Each master's has its own entry requirements on its course page; many need a portfolio, a statement of interest or an interview.
- Applications for most September 2027 master's courses open in December 2026, with a priority deadline in February 2027.
- Successful international applicants pay a non-refundable €500 deposit within 10 working days of the offer.
Documents
- Certified transcripts in the original language plus certified English translations
- Proof of English
- Portfolio (studio programmes)
- Statement of interest or research proposal where required
- Two letters of recommendation for advanced entry
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band; one-skill retakes not accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 overall (writing 21, other sections 19) |
| PTE Academic | 63 overall with at least 59 in each communicative skill |
| Duolingo | 120 overall with at least 110 in each subscore |
| Other evidence | A degree taught in English in an English-speaking country may be considered for postgraduate entry; results must be under two years old |
Accommodation and living costs
NCAD does not provide on-campus accommodation. Students rent from private providers near the Thomas Street campus; NCAD does not publish rent figures, so budget for Dublin city-centre prices.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | €55one-off | ≈ ₹5,830 |
| Postgraduate acceptance deposit (international)Non-refundable; paid within 10 working days of the offer | €500one-off | ≈ ₹53,000 |
Campus and location
Since 1998 NCAD has housed all of its activities on the Thomas Street campus in Dublin 8, in the centre of the city.
- Fine art, applied art, design, visual culture and art education taught on one campus.
- School of Design for Industry wing opened in 1998.
- About 2,000 students in all, from over 40 countries.
- All programmes taught in English.
Careers and graduate outcomes
NCAD's design master's courses lead into graphic, interaction, service and medical device design roles, and its art master's into practice, curation and community arts. A level 9 NCAD master's usually makes graduates eligible for Ireland's Stamp 1G stay-back route; see our Ireland guide. NCAD does not publish graduate employment figures on these pages.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Ireland
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Ireland. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does NCAD cost for Indian students?
For 2026/27 NCAD charges non-EU students €16,500 a year for studio undergraduate programmes and for the MA Graphic Design, MA Interaction Design and MSc Medical Device Design. Several art master's cost €13,500 or €14,500, and Visual Culture €13,500.
Do I need a portfolio?
For most studio programmes and many master's courses, yes. BA Visual Culture needs no portfolio, and portfolios are optional for BA Product Design and BA Interaction Design.
Can I study part time at NCAD?
Not as a non-EU student. NCAD's part-time master's places are not open to non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss or non-UK international students.
What English score does NCAD need?
IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each band, TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 63 or Duolingo 120.
Are there scholarships?
NCAD hosts two Government of Ireland International Education Scholars on selected art master's, and lists the ICOS Ireland Fellows Programme for the MA Interaction Design and MSc Medical Device Design.
Sources
- NCAD: postgraduate fee schedule 2026/27 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: undergraduate fee schedule 2026/27 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: fees (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: master's programmes (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: international postgraduate applicants (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: international undergraduate applicants (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: English language requirement (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: scholarships and funding (opens in a new tab)
- NCAD: history (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ncad.ie (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details