Course Summary
CFA at NCAD’s Professional Certificate in Creative Diversity, is a special intensive course. It equips learners with an awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion within Design, such as the need to decolonise the discipline, while also providing the tools, methods and platforms to enact personal, professional and sectoral change.
The course is developed in partnership with DesignOpp and the Institute of Designers in Ireland. Students will gain understanding of race, racism and stereotyping and how it manifested in graphic design. Students will also take part in an unconscious bias training given by an industry expert (Dr Ebun Joseph, Institute of Antiracism and Black Studies in Ireland). They will also look at decolonising art; what it means and also steps needed to create change.
Students will also get their creative briefs centred around creating possible solutions to help people improve their experiences in the Direct Provision Centres in Ireland.
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.
Entry Requirements
Educational Standard
All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements for admission may be considered on the basis of a recognition of previous learning whether based on prior relevant experience or other relevant credited or non credited or learning (RPL). In such cases each applicant will be considered on a case-by-case basis based on a review of the applicant’s CV and other supporting documentation.
Please contact [email protected] for further information.
Qualifying Examination – In certain cases the academic team may choose to set a qualifying assignment in order to assess an applicant’s suitability for admission.
You may apply for the programme if you are currently completing your Undergraduate Degree. NCAD will review the rest of your application.
Essential Supporting Documentation
- A Statement of Interest – 500 words framing your reasons for applying to the programme. Please indicate a subject/discipline area that you believe can best advance your practice.
- A recent CV
- Certified transcripts of previous programmes followed
- Certified copies of degree/ certificates and/or other appropriate third level qualifications bearing the official stamp of the institution.
Find out more HERE
Application Details
NCAD
Application Date:
26/09/2025
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, 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
This course is aimed at designers and creatives who wish to recognise unconscious bias, understand and implement change and embed diversity within their social networks, communities and creative practices.
The programme seeks to provide the transversal and specialist skills to equip creative practitioners to work within existing career paths, while also forge new career and creative pathways and learning.
