School of Visual Culture
Are you fascinated by the spectrum of human creativity, art, design, architecture, film, fashion, new media and digital culture? Are you interested in the history and theory of the objects, processes and cultural institutions that comprise our contemporary world? One of four schools at NCAD, we offer a BA in Visual Culture. We also teach all NCAD undergraduate students through our Critical Cultures programme.
Watch our new video that explores what life is like inside our BA in Visual Culture at NCAD
Study Visual Culture at NCAD and develop your understanding and knowledge of the history and theory of art, design, fashion and film, as well as the latest forms of new media and digital culture.
Is this course for me? Are you fascinated by images? Are you interested in the forces that have shaped the objects, images and buildings which form our world? Are you curious about what it will look like tomorrow? If so, then yes this could be your course!
What Will I Study? Visual Culture is a wide-ranging field of study, focusing on the images and objects which have made up our world from the early nineteenth century to the present day. It regards popular culture like fashion, advertising and cinema as being just as meaningful and significant as the works of celebrated artists, designers and architects. At NCAD you can decide where your focus in Visual Culture lies.
Opportunities After Graduation? Our graduates work in arts, cultural and heritage management, in exhibition curation and education, in festivals and events organisation and in the media.
To find out more about the BA Visual Culture programme watch the video below or follow this link Visual Culture
Really useful information for students The BA in Visual Culture Programme Specification, individual Module Descriptors, BA in Visual Culture Handbook (and lots of really helpful student information can be found if you Click Here
Admissions
Full-time studies
Admissions@ncad.ie
01 636 4200
Part-time studies
CEAD@ncad.ie
01 636 4214
Watch our video that explores what life is like inside our BA in Visual Culture at NCAD
Please read around the Full Time BA information for a discription of the Visual Culture course. How the part time pathway works is described below.
The BA in Visual Culture students must earn 180 credits to graduate. A part time student would typically complete 30 credits per year, spreading out their studies. All part time students complete years 1 to 4 as per the below table and then opt for either pathway A or B to complete their degree. Students taking pathway A take 30 credits in both year 5 and 6 each as normal. Students taking pathway B can complete their degree in year five by taking 20 credits in semester 1 and 2 and the final 20 credits for a thesis in summer semester 3.
Applications Will Open April 2025
The BA in Visual Culture Programme Specification, individual Module Descriptors, BA in Visual Culture Handbook and lots of really helpful student information can be found if you Click Here
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Year 1 to 4 are the same for Pathway A and B students
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Year 1
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| Autumn Semester 1 |
VC1-1
Introduction to Key Concepts in Art & Design 1A
5 Credits
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VC1-6
Technologies of Visual Culture
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Tuesday AM or PM
Thursday AM or PM
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Spring Semester 2
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VC1-2
Introduction to Key Concepts in Art & Design 1B
5 Credits
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VC1003
Histories of Art & Design 1
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Tuesday or Wednesday AM or PM
Thursday AM or PM
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Year 2
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Autumn Semester 1
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VC1002
Professional Practice: Mediation
5 Credits
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VC1001
Introduction to Visual Culture
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Tuesday AM or PM
Wednesday or Thursday AM or PM
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Spring Semester 2
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VC1005
Situations of Visual Culture
5 Credits
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VC1004
Materials, Techniques & Processes
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Tuesday AM or PM
Wednesday or Thursday AM or PM
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Year 3
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Autumn Semester 1
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VC2-1
Contemporary Theories & Practices 2
5 Credits
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VC2-2
Histories of Art & Design 2
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Tuesday or Thursday AM or PM
Wednesday AM or PM
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Spring Semester 2
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VC2-5
Contemporary Theories and Practices 2C
5 Credits
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VC2-10
Professional Practice: Exhibitions
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Wednesday AM or PM
Thursday PM
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Year 4
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Autumn 1 Semester
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VC2-4
Contemporary Theories and Practices 2B
5 Credits
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VC2-3
Professional Practice: Institutions
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Tuesday AM or PM
Wednesday AM or PM
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Spring 2 Semester
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VC2-8
Contemporary Theories and Practices 2D
5 Credits
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VC2-6
Understanding Digital Cultures
10 Credits
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15 Credits Total
Tuesday AM or PM
Wednesday AM or PM
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Year 5 and 6 for Pathway A students
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Year 5
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Autumn Semester 1
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VC3-4
Contemporary Theories & Practices 3A
or
VC3-3
Visual Culture Placement
5 Credits
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VC3004
Visual Culture Special Subject
10 Credits
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15 Credits
Tuesday or Thursday AM or PM
Wednesday AM or PM
Placement option is one day a week for 12 weeks, day to be agreed with host organisation
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| Spring Semester 2 |
VC3-8
Contemporary Theories & Practices 3B
or
VC3-3
Visual Culture Placement
5 Credits
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VC3-1
Economies of Visual Culture
or
VC3005
Reconfiguring the Natural in Visual Culture
10 Credits
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15 Credits
Tuesday or Thursday AM or PM
Wednesday AM or PM
Placement option is one day a week for 12 weeks, day to be agreed with host organisation
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Year 6
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Autumn Semester 1
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VC3-12
Research Practices (thesis)
This module is a double module and runs over two semesters in year 6. It has an assessed work in progress event in semester 1 which constitutes part of the overall grade
20 Credits
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VC3002
Collaborative Practices
5 Credits
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Thursday AM or PM |
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Spring Semester 2 |
VC3003
Making Visual Culture Public
5 Credits
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Tuesday or Thursday AM or PM |
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| Year 5 Pathway B students | ||||||
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Year 5
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Autumn Semester 1
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VC3002
Collaborative Practices
5 Credits
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VC3-4
Contemporary Theories & Practices 3A
or
VC3-3
Visual Culture Placement
5 Credits
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VC3004
Visual Culture Special Subject
10 Credits
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20 Credits
Tuesday AM or PM
Wednesday AM or PM
Thursday AM or PM
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Spring Semester 2
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VC3003
Making Visual Culture Public
5 Credits
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VC3-11
Professional Practice 3: Situations of Visual Culture
5 Credits
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VC3-1
Economies of Visual Culture
or
VC3005
Reconfiguring the Natural in Visual Culture
10 Credits
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20 Credits
Tuesday AM or PM
Wednesday AM or PM
Thursday AM or PM
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Summer Semester 3
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VC3-X
Research Practices (thesis)
20 Credits
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20 Credits
There are 4 preparatory classes in the spring Trimester which the student might take then, or they may be offered again in the Summer Trimester. There is also a work in progress presentation in June.
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Recognised Prior Learning
A part time student may have Recognised Prior Learning (RPL), or credits and so might join the course in year 2 or in year 3.
The part time BA in Visual Culture might suit students who wish to combine degree level study with their paid employment or other committments.
Admissions
Full-time studies
Admissions@ncad.ie
01 636 4200
Part-time studies
CEAD@ncad.ie
01 636 4214
Watch our video that explores what life is like in Critical Cultures at NCAD
Critical Cultures is a fully credited, parallel programme of study which is taken by all NCAD undergraduate students throughout their time at the College.
Delivered by a team from the School of Visual Culture, some of Ireland’s leading art and design critics and historians, the Critical Cultures programme has been designed to develop key skills and understanding needed by undergraduate students at the College to become successful practitioners in their chosen fields. The ability to critically analyse an image or to express an idea with clarity are needed more today than ever.
Classes offered as part of the Critical Cultures programme bring together students from different areas of the college. Lectures and seminars are key moments in the week when student designers, artists and craftspeople from different programmes exchange opinions and ideas.
The first year Critical Cultures programme is a combination of weekly lectures and seminars designed to introduce students to major theories and concepts. We explore questions like What is originality? What makes an image or a thing real? Why do we still value handmade objects? What is the future of the image? What can art do? Students develop image and textual analysis skills, and improve their abilities as writers and speakers.
Students shape their own second year Critical Cultures programme by selecting from a dozen or more specialist seminar classes on current themes and issues in art, design and technology. The range of themes is extensive, spanning from information theory to the psychology of space; and from documentary film to activist art.
In the final year of the Critical Cultures programme, individual students identify a major research project which they plan, research and write. Research might involve interviews with artists and designers; visits to archives (like the National Irish Visual Arts Library at NCAD); or a deep immersion in theory. Students have one-to-one support from the Visual Culture team. Studio-based students often use this long-form essay to develop a deep understanding of themes and concepts addressed in their practice as artists or designers.
Every NCAD undergraduate student follows the Critical Cultures curriculum. Those who have a strong interest in critical thinking and wish to develop their writing practice further can elect to undertake additional classes in their second and final years, and then to graduate with additional credits in Creative Cultures.
Really useful information for students such as Critical Cultures Electives and a Handbook for Critical Cultures Research Project can be found if you Click Here
Admissions
Full-time studies
Admissions@ncad.ie
01 636 4200
Part-time studies
CEAD@ncad.ie
01 636 4214
How Do I Apply?
Scroll for Details, No Portfolio Required, Just Curiosity!
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Part Time Applications
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Duration
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5 or 6 years
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Applications
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Part time applications only are through the NCAD Website when applications open
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| Applications Will Open | April 2025 |
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Entry Requirements
Under age 21
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Leaving Certificate
6 Subjects
2 X H5
4 X O6/H7
Your 6 subjects must include
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
and one of the following
3rd Language or Art or Design & Communication Graphics (DCG)
or
FETAC 5 Distinctions Full Award
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Mature Student
Age 21 and over
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Part-time students are considered mature at age 21 on January 1st of the start year
Students who are mature and do not meet the minimum entry requirements above can be matriculated on the basis of mature years. Applicants in this situation are asked to submit supporting information which might include a CV, a Statement of Interest, information on previous relevant work or other experience.
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Portfolio Requirement
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None
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| Part Time Fees | Undergraduate Fees 2025-2026 |
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Degree Awarded
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BA Visual Culture
Part time students are not elegible to take part in Erasmus or the Studio + programmes
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Useful Information for Part Time Applications
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Study at NCAD
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NCAD Minimum Requirements
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Advanced Entry Applications
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Please contact the Admissions Office at
admissions@staff.ncad.ie
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Full Time Applications
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Duration
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3 or 4 years
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Applications
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All Undergraduate applications for year 1 entry are through the CAO
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CAO Course Code
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AD215 Visual Culture
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Entry Requirements
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Leaving Certicate
6 Subjects
2 X H5
4 X O6/H7
Your 6 subjects must include
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
and one of the following
3rd Language or Art or Design & Communication Graphics (DCG)
or
FETAC 5 Distinctions Full Award
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CAO Points 2024
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To Be Updated
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Portfolio Requirement
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None
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| Full Time Fees | Undergraduate Fees 2025-2026 |
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Degree Awarded
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BA Visual Culture
or
BA Visual Culture International
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Useful Information for Full Time Applications
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Study at NCAD
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CAO Website
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NCAD Minimum Requirements
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Advanced Entry Applications
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Admissions
Full-time studies
Admissions@ncad.ie
01 636 4200
Part-time studies
CEAD@ncad.ie
01 636 4214
Academic Staff
Professor David Crowley Writer and curator and Head of School
Dr Emma Mahony Lecturer in Visual Culture and Programme Leader of the BA in Visual Culture
Dr Francis Halsall Art historian and Programme Leader of the MA Art in the Contemporary World
Dr Lisa Godson Lecturer in the history of design and Programme Leader of the MA Design History & Material Culture
Denis Kehoe Lecturer in Visual Culture
Dr Declan Long Art critic and Programme Leader of the MA Art in the Contemporary World
Fiona Loughnane Lecturer in Visual Culture
Dr Silvia Loeffler Lecturer in Visual Culture
Dr Rachel O'Dwyer Lecturer in Visual Culture
Hilary O'Kelly Lecturer in dress history
Dr Sarah Pierce Artist and lecturer in Visual Culture
Further information
BA in Visual Culture Course Leader
Dr Emma Mahony
School Secretary
Neasa Travers
visualculture@staff.ncad.ie
visualculture@staff.ncad.ie
Admissions
Full-time studies
Admissions@ncad.ie
01 636 4200
Part-time studies
CEAD@ncad.ie
01 636 4214
