How to apply to NSCAD University for art and design: every first-year student starts with a year of Foundation studies, the SlideRoom portfolio has 10–20 finished works and 5–10 process pieces, and applying by 1 March brings automatic entrance scholarship consideration, with portfolio requirements and timelines for students from China, Canadian high schools and transfer students

NSCAD University is a specialist art, design and craft university in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This guide summarises undergraduate admission from the university’s website, focusing on Foundation year, the portfolio, deadlines and the requirements for students from China, Canadian high schools (including BC) and transfer students.

1. Programs

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): Fine Art (Drawing, Painting, Printmaking or Sculpture), Ceramics, Expanded Media, Film, Interdisciplinary Arts, Jewellery+Metalsmithing, Photography and Textiles+Fashion.
• Bachelor of Design (BDes): Interdisciplinary Design, four years, built around six major design studios with pathways in typography and illustration, digital and physical prototyping and UI/UX design; projects range from posters, books and animation to websites, apps, products, packaging and exhibits.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Art History, in studio and non-studio versions.
• Everyone starts with Foundation: in the fall term all students take four required courses (Introduction to Studio Practice, Introduction to Visual Culture, Writing for the Arts and Foundation Drawing I); in winter you choose four intro courses from at least two of design, craft, media and fine arts. You choose your discipline after Foundation.
• Writing requirement: all degree students meet it by passing Writing for the Arts (FNDN 1800) in Foundation.

2. How to apply and deadlines

• Platform: all applications are made on NSCAD’s SlideRoom (nscad.slideroom.com), where you complete the form, pay the application fee and upload your essay and portfolio. The fee amount isn’t stated on the pages read; check the application page.
• Fall (September) entry (the deadlines page shows no year):
  • 1 October: applications open, then reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • 1 March: apply by this date for entrance scholarship consideration.
  • 1 May: extended deadline for international applications.
  • 1 June: extended deadline for transfer applicants (with college, university or CEGEP credits).
  • 31 July: extended deadline for domestic applications.
• Winter (January) entry: 1 October for international, domestic and transfer applicants; extended to 30 November for domestic applicants.
• NSCAD considers applications year-round but gives priority to those who meet official deadlines; for late applications email admissions@nscad.ca.
• Decisions: complete applications are reviewed by faculty, and undergraduates may hear in as little as two weeks. Admitted students return a commitment statement and deposit to hold their place.

3. Application materials

Portfolio (uploaded to SlideRoom)

• 10–20 finished works: your strongest recent work in at least three mediums, ideally from the past two years (explain why if you include older work). Show one or two of the best from similar themes rather than everything.
• 5–10 process pieces: sketches, observational drawings, prototypes, drafts, research or storyboards showing how ideas develop.
• List of works: title, medium and materials, dimensions (if applicable) and year for each finished work; a short description is optional.
• Photograph 3D, series and site-specific work from several angles; clear, well-lit images on plain backgrounds are enough.
• Any medium is welcome; NSCAD’s examples include painting, ceramics, animation, cartooning, clothing, film, graphic design, illustration, jewellery, programming, sound and woodwork, made in or outside school, in communities or through family traditions.
• Before applying you can get feedback at an Open House or Portfolio Day, or book an online or in-person review with a recruiter.

Admissions essay (Getting to Know You)

• Five questions, about 50–100 words each (about 250–500 words in total): tell us about yourself; why NSCAD; your creative journey; what you hope to learn; your hopes for the future. You can add anything else about your creativity.

Transcripts

• All high school records from at least Grade 10, including midterm or first-semester grades for your graduating year, sent directly by the school (by email, MyCreds or mail).
• Some programs ask for extra documents (personal statements, references); check the program pages.

4. Entry requirements

• High school applicants (Canadian and international): Grade 12 (or the highest grade needed to graduate) with an average of 70% or higher, including at least 70% in Grade 12 university-preparation English.
• BC students: the pages read don’t list BC-specific course requirements; the general standard above applies. Ask admissions which BC Grade 12 English course counts.
• Students from China: how the Gaokao or Huikao is used isn’t stated on the pages read; ask admissions.
• IB: diploma with at least 24 points; HL 5+ earns transfer credit. AP: 4+ earns transfer credit. A-Levels: at least two A-Levels and three O-Levels averaging C with nothing below D (two AS-Levels can replace one A-Level).
• English tests: needed if at least three years of high school, or at least one year of post-secondary study, were not taught in English:
  • TOEFL 90 with no section below 20; IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0; Duolingo 120 with no subscore below 110; PTE 70 with no score below 65; CAEL 69 with 60 in each; Oxford ELLT 7 (no band below 6); MELAB 82; Cambridge CAE B; IB English A HL 5; AP English 4.
  • Scores must come directly from the testing service. Applicants below the bar can get a conditional offer or take a partner language school pathway.

5. Tuition and scholarships

• Fall 2026 term (per term, 15 credits):
  • International tuition CAD 12,402.99; total with international health insurance and other fees CAD 13,814.91.
  • Out-of-province Canadian students (including BC) tuition CAD 5,284.94; total CAD 6,298.82.
• Living costs: NSCAD suggests international students budget at least CAD 20,000–25,000 for 8–12 months, not including airfare.
• International graduates of the Nova Scotia International Student Program (NSISP) pay the domestic out-of-province rate for their whole undergraduate degree.
• Entrance scholarships: apply by 1 March and you are automatically considered. The page gives two ranges: entrance awards of “$500 to $9,000”, and entrance scholarships of “$500 to $6,000”, some renewable for four years with a top award of about $25,000. The pages read don’t say which awards international students can receive; ask admissions.

6. Transfer students

• College, university, CEGEP, AP and IB coursework can earn transfer credit, and students from institutions with articulation agreements have dedicated pathways.
• Transfer deadlines are 1 June for fall and 1 October for winter.
• Transfer students can meet the writing requirement with six credits of English or nine of liberal arts (B- or better) from an English-speaking university; community college credits generally can’t, unless an agreement provides for it.
• CEGEP students with a two-year DEC can receive up to one year of transfer credit.

7. Checklist by applicant type

Students from China:

• Complete your SlideRoom application by 1 March for scholarship consideration; 1 May is the extended international deadline
• Prepare 10–20 finished works in at least three mediums, 5–10 process pieces and the five essay answers
• Aim for a 70% average and TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5 (6.0 per band); ask admissions whether the Gaokao is considered

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Grade 12 average of 70% with 70% in Grade 12 university-preparation English; confirm which BC English course counts
• Apply by 1 March for scholarships; out-of-province students pay the out-of-province rate

Transfer students:

• Apply by 1 June for fall, send post-secondary transcripts for credit review and check the articulation agreements
• Check whether your English or liberal arts courses meet the writing requirement

Sources: NSCAD University, Undergraduate programs; Foundation; Interdisciplinary Design; Undergraduate admission requirements; Admissions deadlines; Application checklist; Building your portfolio; International applications; Tuition; Scholarships and bursaries; Transfer, articulation and pathway agreements. The deadlines page shows no year and fees are for the fall 2026 term; check NSCAD’s website for the latest.