AD101 · Level 8 · 1 year (common first year of a 3 or 4 year degree) · Portfolio course

First Year Art & Design (Portfolio,Common Entry)

National College of Art and Design · Dublin

2026 Round 1 points

533

Your portfolio is marked and added to your points, so the points shown include portfolio marks and can go above 625.

Down 26 points since 2023 (559).

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Please note: For 2027 entry, the third language and Art requirements have been dropped. You need 2 H5s and 4 O6/H7s, including Irish and English. The portfolio deadline is 5pm on Friday 12 February 2027.

About this course

A common entry first year at NCAD for people who want to study art or design but have not chosen a specialism yet. It leads into one of fourteen studio areas across fine art and design.

How long
1 year (common first year of a 3 or 4 year degree)
What you study
You work on studio projects in drawing, making and research, using materials such as paper, clay, wood, metal, fabric, paint and digital media. You also take visual culture and professional practice. In the second trimester you try two pathway projects, then state your preferred degree, and places are allocated by preference and academic achievement where a pathway is full.
Where it can lead
Leads on to degrees in fine art (painting, print, sculpture, media, textiles, ceramics and glass), design (fashion, graphics, illustration, product, interaction and more) or education.
Who it suits
Suits students who love making and experimenting with ideas and want to try several creative areas before choosing one.

Summary written by FindMyCollegeCourse.ie from the college's own course information. Check the college website for full details.

About Arts

Artistic fields like Fine Arts, Music, Theatre

The study of Creative Arts involves exploring various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, performing arts, and media arts. This field encourages students to develop cultural awareness. E.g. Fine Arts, Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, Creative Writing.

Points history

2023559202451220255152026533

Round 1 points by year

YearRound 1Final (end of season)Middle student
2026533Published after the final round
2025 515514565
2024 512503587
2023 559559613

Round 1 is the points needed for a first-round offer. Final is the lowest points offered a place after all rounds. Middle student is the points of the student in the middle of everyone who got a place. * means not everyone on those points got a place (random selection). Source: CAO points lists.

Subject requirements

  • English: Higher H7 or Ordinary O6
  • Irish: Higher H7 or Ordinary O6

These are the course's own subject requirements. You also need to meet the college's general minimum entry requirements.

See the course on the National College of Art and Design website ↗

Is First Year Art & Design (Portfolio,Common Entry) right for you?

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Similar courses in Arts

Level 8 courses with the closest 2026 Round 1 points.

Points and course details change every year. Always check cao.ie and the college website before you fill in your CAO form.