AD211 · Level 8 · 3 or 4 years · Portfolio course

Fashion Design (Portfolio)

National College of Art and Design · Dublin

2026 Round 1 points

721

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

Up 21 points since 2023 (700).

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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 fashion design degree at NCAD that prepares you to work as a professional designer. It has strong links with the fashion industry and looks at fashion in its social and cultural setting.

How long
3 or 4 years
What you study
You learn visual research, drawing, design process, knitwear, pattern cutting, garment construction, illustration and market research. Year 2 is about building a personal style and understanding your audience. In the final year you set your own project and show a body of work at the degree show.
Placement and abroad
An optional Studio+ year offers internships, industry placements, a work placement abroad or an Erasmus study period.
Where it can lead
Graduates design collections in studios or for fashion brands and high-street names, and some set up their own labels or move into knitwear, styling, buying, costume or journalism; many go on to postgraduate study.
Who it suits
Suits students who are creative, enjoy drawing and making garments, and are interested in trends and how people dress.

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

2023700202469520256042026721

Round 1 points by year

YearRound 1Final (end of season)Middle student
2026721Published after the final round
2025 604604651
2024 695695695
2023 700700–

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 Fashion Design (Portfolio) right for you?

Points tell you if you can get in. They don't tell you if you'll enjoy it. The CAO Interest Test matches your interests to more than 1,400 CAO courses, including courses in Arts, and shows which ones fit your points.

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