One of Canada’s oldest cultural institutions, NSCAD, is an internationally recognized university of the visual arts. Areas of study at NSCAD include Art History and Critical Studies; Craft; Design; Fine Arts; and Media Arts.

The institution is regarded as one of the top principal centers for education and research in North America. NSCAD is the oldest post-secondary art school in Canada. It presently forms a community of internationally recognized artists, researchers, designers, and scholars. According to Webometrics, the university ranks at 113rd position in Canada.

NSCAD University Campus

Highlights

University Type Public
Establishment Year 1887
Location Halifax, Nova Scotia
Campus Setting Urban
No. of Campuses 3
Mode of Program Full-time/ Part-time
SAT/ ACT scores Not required
Mode of Application Online
Medium of Instruction English
Total Enrollment 927
Admission Seasons Fall and Winter
Official Website www.nscad.ca

NSCAD University Campus

  • NSCAD University has three campuses located within Halifax's downtown core.
  • The campus of NSCAD University is known for its exceptional architecture.
  • The different campuses and departments within it have been discussed below:

The Fountain Campus

  • The campus houses departments of Craft, Design, Fine Arts, and Media Arts.

The Port Campus

  • It houses the Foundation, Craft, Design, and Fine Arts division.
  • The campus covers a total area of 70,000 sq. ft.

The Academy Campus

  • The campus houses the Media Arts division.
  • Space is well equipped with all amenities including equipment for film production, edit suites, space for a studio, sound rooms, screening as well as animation room.

NSCAD University Residence

  • NSCAD University does not provide on-campus residence facilities.
  • Students of NSCAD University are offered residence halls facilities by Saint Mary’s University, University of King’s College, Granville Hall and Atlantic School of Theology.
  • Detailed information about on-campus housing options at the above-mentioned universities are given below:

Saint Mary’s University

  • Saint Mary’s University campus comprises three well-furnished residence buildings namely Loyola Residence, Rice Residence, and Vanier Residence.
  • Students can also enjoy other conveniences such as Dockside Dining and Cafeteria, The Gorse brook Lounge, Patrick Power Library, Student Centre Cafeteria, Health Services, and much more.
  • Students who have opted for housing at Loyola and Vanier residence must choose their meal plan.

University of King’s College

  • Amenities available to students include choosing from four meal options, eight-month lease for stay, internet connection, well-furnished rooms with mini-fridge, etc.

Atlantic School of Theology

  • The Atlantic School of Theology offers large and small single room accommodation for students with the lowest rates for university residence in Halifax.
  • The residence will be provided access to AST’s library.
  • Accommodation options include single and double rooms, apartments with a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom for parents with children. It also includes a shared kitchen and dining room for all residents on each floor.

Off-campus housing

  • The Granville Hall offers off-campus living options for international students.
  • Students can choose between single and double occupancy options.
  • Each floor has common areas, washrooms, kitchen to provide complete comfort and a secured environment. Students can also choose from the meal option provided to them.

NSCAD University Courses

  • NSCAD University provides undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in the fields of Art History, Contemporary Culture, Craft, Design, Fine Arts, and Media Arts.
  • The University offers 6 types of programs that include Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Design, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts.
  • The University also offers 14 post-baccalaureate certificate programs to students.
  • The institution is also developing plans for Winter 2023 programs which will be presented in the form of online, on-campus, and hybrid form.

NSCAD University Application Process

NSCAD University accepts applications from students all around the world. It must be noted that SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission to the University. Candidates who do not demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency scores will be offered conditional admission on taking pathway programs offered by the University’s partner Halifax language schools.

How to Apply?

The process for applying to NSCAD University has been discussed below:

Application Portal: Online Application

Application Fee: N/A

Application Deadline:

Program Application Deadline
Undergraduate Fall (September) 2023 Entry – 01 May 2023
Graduates Fall – 15 January 2023
Post Baccalaureate Fall (September) – 01 March

Admission Requirements: International applicants must satisfy the below-mentioned requirements to be eligible for admission to NSCAD University:

  • Complete the online application form
  • Submit completed writing assignment
  • Original Letter of Acceptance to be submitted directly from the university
  • Passport, Birth Certificate, or other identification proving you as the citizen of your native country.
  • Certificate of Health examination
  • Photographs
  • Official academic transcripts or certificates/ results from the Ministry of Education or secondary school in the original language along with its English translation.
  • Official exam results if taken from examination boards
  • English Proficiency scores required for gaining admission for courses offered by NSCAD University. The table below shows English proficiency score requirements for undergraduate and graduate programs:
Test Requirements for Undergraduate program Requirements for Graduate program
TOEFL (IBT) 90 94
IELTS 6.5 7.0
CAEL 69 69
CanTest 4.5 4.5
CAE B A
MELAB 82 82
IB 5 in English A1 or A2 HL 5 in English A1 or A2 HL
AP 4 in English Language and Composition or Literature and Composition 4 in English Language and Composition or Literature and Composition

NSCAD University Cost of Attendance

A detailed per credit hour cost for international undergraduate and graduate students at NSCAD University are given in the table below:

Credit Hours Fees (CAD)
Winter 2023 (Undergraduates)
3 2,537.11
6 4,520.11
9 6,654.75
12 8,637.75
15 10,620.75
18 12.603.75
Winter 2023 (Graduates)
3 2,555.11
6 4,556.11
9 6,708.75
12 8,709.75
15 10,710.75
18 12,711.75

NSCAD University Scholarships/Financial Aid

  • Students who apply for admission by the priority deadline on March 1 are automatically considered for Entrance Scholarships.
  • The amount of scholarship ranges from 5,000 CAD to 6,000 CAD and is renewable up to 4 years that take the total award amount to 25,000 CAD.
  • The University annually awards 100,000 CAD through scholarships and bursaries to almost 90% students.
  • The various scholarship options available to students are as follows:
Name of Scholarship Eligibility Criteria Amount Awarded
Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship Awarded to entering freshmen who apply by March 1 500 – 8,000 CAD
Master of Fine Arts Awards and Scholarships Awarded to each MFA student who has enrolled in the program. 13,000 CAD
The Robert Pope Foundation Scholarship Awarded to graduate students for entering Fine and Media Arts 2,000 CAD
The Roloff Beny Foundation Scholarship Awarded to graduate students for entering Fine and Media Arts along with a concentration in Photography 5,000 CAD
The Faculty Union of NSCAD Awarded to graduate students for entering Fine and Media Arts or Craft programs. 1,000 CAD
The Joan Catherine DeWolfe Graduate Fellowship Awarded to graduate students entering Canadian Fine and Media Arts or Craft programs. 2,000 CAD

NSCAD University Alumni Network

NSCAD University presents a wide range of alumni benefits to its students from across the globe. The benefits include:

  • Art Bar + Projects – An independently operated space by Alumni Association of NSCAD. This space promotes discussion and celebration of art and design at Halifax.
  • Show your NSCAD Pride – The “I Am NSCAD” campaign provides logo services in varied types and sizes for social media, websites, email signatures, and more.

Some of the popular alumni of the university are as follows:

  • Karen Crocker – Head of Wardrobe Karen Crocker, currently working with Queen Musical production
  • Karin Jones – Multidisciplinary artist, currently works as an instructor at the Vancouver Community College’s Jewellery Art and Design Program serving as the Department Head.
  • Letitia Fraser - Winner of RBC Emerging Artist Award for visual arts from Nova Scotia Talent Trust.
  • Susanna Heller – Popular Artist whose paintings have been shipped to Toronto

NSCAD University Placements

The job bank of NSCAD University is responsible for offering student services that include a list of student job postings. Job Junction provides assistance to youth seeking jobs in Canada. It is a free service and offers the best employment information for students of the university.