Course Summary
This course gives you an opportunity to study the histories and theories of modern and contemporary art and design practice in a creative art school setting. This programme is suitable for anyone with a broad interest in history, culture, and society. There will be opportunities to work with studio-based NCAD students, this engagement may take the form of critical/professional writing and publication projects, curation and event development.
A portfolio submission is not required; places are allocated through the CAO based on Leaving Certificate points.
NCAD considers applications from candidates who wish to gain Advanced Entry to the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate degree.
NCAD will accept applications for Advanced Entry to all of their studio based undergraduate degrees as well as to AD215 BA Visual Culture. The BA in Visual Culture provides an opportunity to study the history of art and design in a creative art school setting. This programme does not require a portfolio submission. For more information about the programmes see here.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Note: It may also be possible to do an Erasmus+ Programme allowing you to study abroad for a
period of at least 2 months to 12 months. This study can be through English or through your
language of choice � please check with your course coordinator to see if this is possible
for this course.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
PLC Progression Links
PLC courses leading to the following QQI Major Awards may be used for entry into this course.
Search for PLC Courses offering these awards (Click on the Codes)
| PLC Codes | Award Title |
| 5M0528 | Media Production |
| 5M0529 | Software Development |
| 5M0536 | Computer Systems and Networks |
| 5M0828 | eBusiness |
| 5M18518 | Media Production |
| 5M18519 | Film and Television Production |
| 5M1995 | Graphic Design |
| 5M1997 | Office Administration |
| 5M2009 | Early Childhood Care and Education |
| 5M2011 | Music |
| 5M2067 | Information Processing |
| 5M2069 | Marketing |
| 5M2073 | Language and European Studies |
| 5M2102 | Business Studies |
| 5M2111 | International Trade |
| 5M2146 | Multimedia Production |
| 5M21473 | Early Learning & Care |
| 5M2149 | Sound Production |
| 5M2154 | Cultural and Heritage Studies |
| 5M2155 | Creative Media |
| 5M2181 | Applied Social Studies |
| 5M2464 | Journalism |
| 5M2468 | Business Administration |
| 5M3050 | Community Development |
| 5M3114 | General Studies |
| 5M3635 | Education and Training |
| 5M3789 | Legal Studies |
| 5M3807 | Laboratory Techniques |
| 5M4468 | Community Health Services |
| 5M4511 | Radio Production |
| 5M4732 | Youth Work |
| 5M5011 | Tourism with Business |
| 5M5028 | Applied Ecology |
| 5M5048 | Creative Media |
| 5M5151 | Performing Arts |
| 5M5152 | Theatre Production |
| 5M5158 | Film and Television Production |
| 5M5163 | Theatre Performance |
| 6M0691 | Software Development |
| 6M0695 | Computer Systems and Networks |
| 6M18534 | Film and Television Production |
| 6M2007 | Early Childhood Care and Education |
| 6M20496 | Digital Media Production |
| 6M20595
|
Dance |
| 6M20602 | Music |
| 6M2115 | Supervisory Management for Manufacturing |
| 6M3115 | Information, Advice and Advocacy |
| 6M3566 | Drama |
| 6M3618 | Arts Administration |
| 6M3732 | Photography |
| 6M4029 | Art |
| 6M4587 | Management |
| 6M4985 | Business |
| 6M5012 | Tourism with Business |
| 6M5013 | Administration |
| 6M5128 | Classical Acting |
| 6M5130 | Media Production |
| 6M5149 | Broadcasting |
| 6M5159 | Film and Television Production |
| 6M5545 | Cartoon Animation |
This Information is Correct for 2026 Entry
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found
HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, the performing arts or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Career Progression
As a consequence of the breadth and depth of understanding and experience acquired in relation to modern and contemporary visual and material culture, Visual Culture graduates have a wide range of local and international opportunities open to them, including: arts administration (in contemporary and heritage contexts); publishing, journalism, critical writing; work in museums and private galleries; or pure art and design historical research and lecturing.
Future career opportunities also include exhibition curation, critical writing, journalism, publishing and arts management.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
