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NSCAD University

Halifax, Canada

  • Cost of LivingCAD 17,580
  • Tuition Fee FromCAD 14,741
  • Country Rank#124
  • Batch Strength632
  • Global Diversity-
  • Gender Ratio-

Overview

About

NSCAD University, popularly known as The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, is a post-secondary art institution in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Anna Leonowens established it in 1887, and it later turned into Canada's first art school to award degrees. In the Union Building, the university first convened in 1887. The university was initiated to honor Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, it was first known as the Victoria School of Art and Design. In 1890, it relocated to the Halifax Academy. 

 

The Granville Street block of historic buildings, commonly referred to as the Fountain Campus and leased by the school since 1978, was bought by the institution in 2002. In 2003, the institution adopted its current title. The Academy Building, a second campus, was inaugurated in 2004. The Cinema Studies Faculty is located on this site. The Port Campus, the third campus, debuted at the Halifax Seaport in 2007. Downtown Halifax serves as the location for all three campuses.

 

NSCAD University’s acceptance rate stands at 65% with about 750+ students. The university offers 6 types of programs out of which the Bachelor's degrees in Art History, Design, and Fine Art are very popular. At the graduate level, it also grants degrees in Master of Fine Arts and Master of Design. The faculties of the Arts department include Craft, Design, Fine Arts, Foundation, Art History & Contemporary Culture, Media Arts, and Extended Studies.

 

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) and many more are some of the popular alumni in the university.

Ranking

Students not only receive a challenging, interdisciplinary education at NSCAD, but they can also be a part of a thriving creative community that is known all over the world for its influence on art, craft, and design. With almost 25% of its courses accredited, the university is one of the top 100 universities in the province of Toronto and Canada. Due to this, many top-ranking platforms have ranked the university in their list of best universities. Take a look at NSCAD University rankings in 2022 -

  • 75th in UniRank’s National Rankings
  • 80th in EduRank’s Country Rankings
  • 4273rd in UniRank’s World Rankings
  • 8773rd in the Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

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Facilities

There are three campuses of NSCAD University in the heart of Halifax: The Fountain Campus, The Port Campus, and The Academy Campus. All three campuses are renowned for their outstanding architecture and provide students with a number of facilities like Computer Services, Learning Commons, Service Centers, Facilities Management, Security, Photographics Services, and many more. Take a look at some of NSCAD University’s facilities.

 

Library: The university library was established in the early days, and it is today found on the Fountain Campus. In Atlantic Canada, it is the only art and design library. More than 50,000 books and periodicals are part of its collection, as well as 1,40,000 slides, 16mm films, videotapes, and other multimedia items in the Visual Resources Collection. The library is a part of Novanet, which enables inter-library loans between academic libraries in Nova Scotia. 

 

The Anna Leonowens Gallery, established in 1968, houses collections of historical fine arts, ceramics, and printing. The gallery presents exhibitions of the work of faculty members, visiting artists, undergraduate and graduate students, and curators. The Port Loggia Gallery is located on the Port Campus.

 

University Press: Kennedy was created by The Press of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design to serve as a platform for the publication of books by and about prominent contemporary artists. The Press played a significant role in building the university's reputation abroad. 26 works by artists such as Michael Snow, Steve Reich, Gerhard Richter, and Yvonne Rainer were published between 1972 and 1987. In 2002, The Press was relaunched.

Notable Alumni

Tanya Tagaq
Tanya Tagaq
Canadian singer
Kirby Dick
Kirby Dick
American film director
Cliff Eyland
Cliff Eyland
Canadian painter

Courses

Admission

NSCAD University Entry Requirements

Students who plan on applying to NSCAD can apply through the Online Application portal on the university website. International applicants must satisfy the below-mentioned NSCAD University entry requirements to be eligible for admission -

  • A complete the online application form
  • A completed writing assignment
  • Original Letter of Acceptance 
  • Passport, Birth Certificate, or other identification proving you as the citizen of your native country
  • Certificate of Health Examination
  • Photographs
  • Official transcripts, certificates, or test scores from secondary schools or the Ministry of Education, along with an English translation. 

 

English Proficiency Test Requirements:

English proficiency test results from examination boards must be submitted in order to get official exam results and be considered for admission to the university’s courses. The following table lists the necessary English proficiency scores for undergraduate and graduate programs -

  • IELTS: UG - 6.5; PG - 70
  • TOEFL iBT: UG - 90; PG - 94
  • CAEL: UG - 69; PG - 69
  • CanTest: UG - 4.5; PG - 4.5
  • CAE: UG - B; PG - A

 

NSCAD University Fees

The university has renowned academic members and experts from all fields of the arts and design, NSCAD University courses offer a distinctive and singular curriculum for professional development in the arts, design, and architectural fields. Professional degree programs like the BA in Visual Studies, the MA in Civil Engineering, and the Design Cadre are among these courses. Glance through NSCAD University fees given below -

  • Design: CAD 15,101
  • Fine Arts: CAD 15,101
  • Interdisciplinary Design: CAD 15,962
  • Drawing, Painting, Printmaking & Sculpture: CAD 15,962

 

NSCAD University Placements

In their fourth year of study, NSCAD students are eligible to apply for an internship or a design practicum as part of their degree. Three, six, or nine credits may be assigned for these courses under special conditions. Students are expected to submit a cover letter and resume by the specified time in order to apply for a position that has been advertised. The majority of opportunities are published in February and are available during the spring or summer term. Interviews with suitable candidates are held by NSCAD University placement supervisors for students to pursue their future careers.

Students can put their newly acquired talents to use in internships and practicums, where they can also start to understand how their skills apply to solving problems in the real world. Organizations frequently reach out to NSCAD to request assistance from students in the visual arts, craft, and design industries for their projects. These opportunities are advertised by email, on campus bulletin boards, or by faculty. This gives students at the university to enhance their skills before they set foot into the professional world after graduation.

Scholarship

Regardless of the program you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by NSCAD University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can significantly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the university through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:

 

  • Merit-based scholarships

  • Need-based scholarships

  • Country-specific scholarships

  • College-specific scholarships

  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the NSCAD University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend NSCAD University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

 

Cost of Living

The majority NSCAD University’s campuses are located near Halifax, which is Nova Scotia's largest and most notable city. Nova Scotia is always at the top of the list for foreign students who plan on studying in Canada. Excellent educational opportunities make it a well-liked choice for international students looking for a place to study. The university campus is close to a lot of dining establishments, shopping centers, supermarkets, movie theaters, museums, and other prominent attractions. Here is a breakdown of how much the cost of living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada might come up to each month for a student -

 

Item

Cost (Per Month)

Off-Campus Accommodation

CAD 966

On-Campus Accommodation

CAD 1035

Transportation

CAD 83

Food 

CAD 720

Utility 

CAD 205

Entertainment

CAD 60

Groceries

CAD 80

Clothes

CAD 142

Health Insurance

CAD 75

Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month)

CAD 2,331

Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month)

CAD 2,400

Annual Cost of Living

CAD 28,800