National College of Art and Design

SUMMARY

The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin is Ireland’s premier institution for higher education in art, design, visual culture and art education. It offers the broadest portfolio of art and design degrees in the country, at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Many of the most important Irish artists, designers and art teachers have studied or taught in the College.

HISTORY

The roots of NCAD trace back to 1746, when a drawing school was founded in George’s Lane by Robert West, under the patronage of the Dublin Society (later the Royal Dublin Society). Over time, this modest drawing school evolved, expanded and absorbed successive reforms in art education in Ireland. In the 19th century, the school was reorganised under the influence of the French Enlightenment, Victorian design schools, and broader European models of art education. By 1877 it was formally designated the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. The curriculum was gradually broadened to include architectural drawing, ornamentation, modelling, and applied design disciplines.

After the establishment of the Irish Free State, the institution underwent further administrative change. In 1924 it passed under the remit of the Irish Department of Education. Later, in 1936, it became formally known as the National College of Art. In 1971 the National College of Art and Design Act was passed by the Irish Oireachtas, officially recognising the college under that name and granting greater autonomy over its academic affairs. In the mid-1970s, the college undertook internal reforms, reorganising its departments and expanding its curriculum to include new degree-level courses.

In the early 1980s, the college relocated its main campus from Kildare Street (central Dublin) to a new site in the Liberties area, at 100 Thomas Street, formerly the site of the Power’s Whiskey Distillery. This move allowed for expanded studio, workshop and exhibition space.  In 1996, NCAD became a recognised college of the National University of Ireland (NUI), enabling its degrees to have formal equivalence with the NUI system. Then, in 2010–2011, a new alliance was formed with University College Dublin (UCD), under which NCAD’s programmes are validated by UCD.

NCAD has been closely linked with Ireland’s evolving artistic, cultural and design identity. It has influenced national debates over modernism, national style, craft, industry and the place of the visual arts in Irish society. The college continues to expand its partnerships, research activity, and engagement with the creative industries and regional enterprise development. Artists and designers of international repute are invited to teach or give special lectures in the College. Exchange programmes with colleges and universities in Europe and the United States take place annually. The College is a member of the European League of the Institute of the Arts.

TOP COURSES

NCAD has four Schools: Design, Fine Art, Education, and Visual Culture.

The School of Fine Art teaching combines the traditional disciplines such as drawing and painting with an open experimental approach which allows individuals to realise their ideas in a wide range of media. The Department of Applied Materials in the School offers opportunities for students to develop a deep understanding and engagement with textiles, ceramics and glass. Through contact with teachers who are practising artists, students become familiar with the activities and the ideas of artists working in society today. Students also become familiar with the fundamentally questioning nature of contemporary art and of the variety and expanding range of practices which make up the field. It is an intensely creative education, not only for artists but for others who may build careers in the media and the arts.

The School of Design is the largest in the College and comprises jewellery and objects, fashion design, industrial and product design, textile design and visual communication. In design the emphasis is on solving specific problems set by project. While students are expected to master the relevant technologies, the aesthetic design factor is stressed equally. There are many links with industry and students often work on competitions sponsored by commercial firms. The College aims to promote a broad education in design which can be the basis for a variety of careers either as part of a team in industry or by working individually in a studio or small business.

The School of Visual Culture interacts with other schools in providing the visual culture elements of all NCAD degrees. In both the fine art and design courses, the element of history and theory of art and design is essential in assisting artists and designers to place themselves within a larger historical, intellectual, social and stylistic context. Within contemporary fine art practice, theory has become increasingly important. The Joint Course BA degree makes special provision for the student who wishes to explore art history and studio practice in art and design to an equal extent. For all students there is a requirement to attend regular lectures and submit written papers culminating in a thesis in the final year. The School of Visual Culture also offers an undergraduate degree in Visual Culture as well as a number of postgraduate taught and research degrees (PhD).

The School of Education provides for the education of teachers of art, craft and design in second-level schools. There are two modes available: the four-year joint honours degree in Design or Fine Art and Education, and the two-year Professional Master of Education in Art & Design. The School also provide a two-year Professional Master in Socially Engaged Art (part time mode). The Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design is part of the School of Education and offers a range of part-time courses including certificate courses.

VISION

From its earliest origins, NCAD has sought not merely to teach technique but to foster the creative imagination, critical thinking and cultural identity of Ireland’s artists and designers. The founder Robert West and his early successors envisioned a school in which observational skill, draughtsmanship, and the discipline of design would support both aesthetic and social aspirations. Over the centuries, successive leaders of NCAD have sought to adapt that founding vision to changing times. In the 19th and early 20th century, the college aimed to mediate between craft traditions, ornament, industrial manufacture and national expression. The vision was of educating designers who could serve both artistic culture and the material needs of society. In the modern era, NCAD’s vision emphasises interdisciplinarity, research-driven practice, global connectivity, and collaboration with industry and community. It aspires to position graduates not just as makers but as cultural contributors and agents of social change, capable of working in studios, enterprises, education and policy.

JOB INTEGRATION RATE

Reliable public data specifically about job integration rates (i.e. graduates’ employment) at NCAD is harder to find. However, various indicators suggest strong graduate employability, especially within the creative industries. Firstly, NCAD maintains a Careers Service and regularly publishes a Careers Newsletter, with resources, workshops, internships and job listings aimed at bridging students into employment. The college emphasises industry connections, studio placements, and live project collaborations as part of its programmes.  Secondly, in its 2024–2028 Performance Agreement, NCAD highlights its partnerships with SMEs, start-ups, enterprise innovation schemes and knowledge transfer projects, which offer pathways for students to engage in real-world industry work. These collaborations can enhance students’ transition into employment or entrepreneurial activity. Thirdly, some external sources claim high placement or employability rates: for example, one guide suggests that over 90 % of NCAD graduates secure employment or further study within six months.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

NCAD enjoys recognition both domestically and internationally. It is regularly ranked among the top institutions worldwide in the subject of Art & Design (QS 2025 places it in the 51–100 band) Its status as the oldest continuously operating art and design institution in Ireland and its broad influence on Irish culture further underpin its prestige. The college’s faculty and alumni have likewise received national creative awards, commissions and exhibitions (though a comprehensive list is beyond the public summary).