Student Support
STUDENT SUPPORT
Disability Services
NCAD is committed to helping you achieve your academic goals. If you are a student who has a disability, mental health condition, a significant ongoing illness or a specific learning difficulty, the NCAD Access Office encourages you to come and register with us. Students are required to submit verification of their disability or learning difficulty from a Medical Consultant / Specialist or Educational Psychologist. Further information can be found here: Disability Support at NCAD.
Student Learning Support Service (SLSS)
The Student Learning Support Service, provided by the National Learning Network, is a full-time, confidential learning and support service for students with specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia/DCD and other associated specific processing / learning difficulties such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and Attention Deficit Disorders. The service also supports students with mental health difficulties, significant ongoing medical conditions, physical mobility and sensory disabilities. Specifically tailored tutorial / group support may be provided on essay writing, research skills, academic protocols, report writing, thesis writing, examination and study techniques for students registered with the service.
Room G16, Ground Floor, School of Design
Telephone: + 353 (01) 636 4314
Email: learningsupport@staff.ncad.ie
Assistive Technology Service
The Assistive Technology Service provides students with software, IT facilities, advice and training to assist them with writing and research. Specialised software and support is available for students with specific learning difficulties or disabilities. Examples of software include:
- Mind-mapping programs for planning essays and projects.
- Text to Speech programs which read text aloud through a computer.
- Software that converts a page of printed text (i.e. a library book) to editable digital text in Microsoft Word.
- Speech recognition software – type faster by speaking into a microphone.
- Proofreading software.
- Help with thesis formatting and computer skills training can also be availed of through the AT service.
Assistive Technology Seminars are held regularly and demonstrate how to integrate free software into your essay writing and research. All students are free to book an appointment to see what is on offer to them.
Room G16, Ground Floor, School of Design.
Telephone: +353 (01) 6364314
Email: assistivetechnology@staff.ncad.ie
ACCESS AND OUTREACH
NCAD is committed to widening access and participation by students from all backgrounds, including students with disabilities, those who have experienced educational disadvantage and those from under-represented socio-economic groups. There are up to fifteen additional places available in First Year for Access applicants.
Since 2005 NCAD’s Access Programme has formed part of the college’s overall commitment to social responsibility and promoting equity of access and opportunity to NCAD. The pre-entry programme encompassing a primary school access programme, Access Day, Student Shadowing Programme, Artist Mentoring Project and Portfolio Preparation Scholarship Awards is designed to provide experiential art and design opportunities to pupils from both primary and post primary schools that are linked to NCAD. NCAD have signed up to the Campus Engage Charter for Civic and Community Engagement. Campus Engage seeks to encourage diversity and pluralism in the complex and evolving world of civic and community engagement.
Gaisce, The President’s Award, is Ireland’s National Challenge Award for young people between 15 and 25. It is the country’s most prestigious and respected award programme and a challenge from the President of Ireland to young people, the nation’s future. NCAD can support you in continuing your Gaisce challenge or support you in commencing a challenge through the Access Office.
Full-time registered NCAD students are encouraged to engage with the College Access & Outreach activities . Please contact the Access Office for information on current projects and student vetting.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student Medical Service
A doctor attends the college during term time on three days each week.
Student Counsellor
A counsellor provides a confidential counselling service.
Careers Advisory Service
The NCAD Careers Advisory service is available to all our students and provides information and advice relating to career choice, employment and postgraduate study. The service will help you identify the skills you have gained at NCAD, and provide information and advice on CV preparation as well as interview and presentation techniques.
Students’ Union
The representative student body, the National College of Art and Design Students’ Union, holds elections annually. Students have representation at Board level and on Academic Council and School boards. During the year the Union organises events including concerts, films, balls and other social and sporting activities.
Students’ Union Contact details:
Telephone: + 353 (01) 6264269
Email: ncadsu@gmail.com
Instagram: @ncadsu
Add NCADSU as a Facebook friend
Mentoring
The College provides a voluntary mentoring service whereby Second Year students mentor small groups of new entrants during Semester 1 to assist them in settling in to the college and dealing with any problems they may encounter.
Accommodation
NCAD does not offer on-campus accommodation. A number of dedicated student residences are located close to our Thomas Street campus, as well as private rented accommodation and student house shares. NCAD Accommodation Network is a Facebook group operated by NCAD Students’ Union, connecting accommodation seekers with people offering accommodation in the Dublin area.