NSCAD University
NSCAD University provides a studio-based model of art education, allowing students to learn in an environment that is immersive, intellectually rigorous, hands-on and supportive. NSCAD University students are encouraged to extend their learning through internships, practicums and exchange programs with 70 participating institutions in 15 countries. “NSCAD is an integral part of Halifax’s vibrant, creative ecosystem,” says president Peggy Shannon. “There is tremendous opportunity for dreaming big and making our campuses ground zero for creative placemaking with 24/7 studio access.”
Undergrads can choose from several disciplines: fine arts, including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture; media arts, including film, animation and photography; craft, including textiles, ceramics and jewellery design; interdisciplinary design; and art history. There are also master’s programs in art education, design and fine arts.
Located in downtown Halifax, NSCAD has three diverse campuses. The Fountain Campus, an interconnected row of 19 former shops and warehouses, is the site for printmaking, painting, fashion and more. The Academy Campus, at the foot of Citadel Hill, houses the media arts programs, while the Port Campus houses the university’s foundation division—the starting point for all first-year students—and industrial spaces for woodworking, sculpture, plastics and the foundry. The Anna Leonowens Gallery, named for NSCAD’s founder, exhibits the work of students and visiting artists, while Art Bar + Projects is a popular hangout and performance art space.
Campus buzz: Students can participate in free, twice-weekly mindfulness sessions held at the Fountain Campus. The sessions include a 30-minute mindfulness practice followed by a free lunch and groceries to take home. An online version is also available.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$9,419 ($10,702 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grade
Arts: 70%, plus portfolio
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 669 | Part-time: 111
Graduates: Full-time: 45 | Part-time: 13
Housing Facts
Residence: Not offered
Standout programs
Textiles/Fashion: This program covers the conceptual and technical aspects involved in weaving, dyeing and printing. Students gain skills in handcraft and digital technologies with a focus on sustainable techniques.
Art History: Students can take studio courses, as well as a broad slate of offerings including literature, film history, art education and Indigenous studies.
Interdisciplinary Design: Students apply problem-solving and creativity to design, developing skills in such areas as digital visualization techniques, photography, drawing and production processes.
