Applications for the MFA Program will not be accepted from anyone who has been enroled in full-time studies and/or degree studies at NSCAD University at anytime during the 24 months prior to the date for which admission is requested.

 A complete application will include the following articles:

1. application form
2. letter of intent
3. portfolio submission
4. official transcripts of all post secondary education
5. 2 letters of recommendation
6. $70 application fee
7. proof of English language proficiency if English is not your first language

Send all application materials to:
MFA Admissions
NSCAD University
5163 Duke Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3J6
Canada

• Download and complete the Master of Fine Arts Application Form.
• Submit a portfolio of not more than 20 digital images representative of current work. If an applicant sends more than 20 images, only the first 20 will be viewed.  Each image should be marked with the applicant’s name and should be numbered. Digital submissions may include still and/or time-based work and should be submitted on DVD, CD or USB stick. Submissions should be readable by both Windows and Macintosh computers. A numbered list of titles, date, medium and dimensions of each work must also be included with all portfolios.

The university is not responsible for, and will not receive materials that require customs duty to be paid and we recommend that the declared value should not exceed $1.00. Submissions should be clearly marked “MFA Admissions Portfolio”.

• Submit a statement explaining the direction of your studio practice in art, craft or design, and your purposes and intentions in seeking to enter the MFA at NSCAD University. Maximum length is 500 words.
• Arrange for at least two letters of recommendation from professors or other appropriate persons, referring to your ability as an artist or craftsperson, and your general academic competence to be sent directly to the university.
• International applicants for whom English is a second language must arrange for the results of an English language test to be sent directly to the university. Further information on these tests and the required level of achievement are given in the Undergraduate Level Admissions section of this document.
• Request transcripts of your records at all institutions of higher education previously attended, be sent directly from the previous institution to the Director of Admissions (MFA Admissions).   Only one copy of each transcript from each institution attended is required.  For those applicants who have previously applied for graduate studies at NSCAD University, transcripts are held on file for 1 year and do not need to be resubmitted unless updated information is available.  Please confirm with the Admissions office that your transcripts are on file at nscad.ca.
• Pay a $70 Canadian non-refundable application fee. The application fee may be paid by personal cheque or money order made payable to NSCAD University. You may also include your credit card number and expiry date (Visa or MasterCard) as part of your application package. You may also phone the Office of Admissions at (902) 494-8129 or our Business office at (902) 494-8219 and they will process your payment over the phone.
• Acknowledgement of receipt of your application will be provided through email if an email address is provided. 
• The return of visual submissions to applicants is the responsibility of the applicant, and must be arranged for and paid for prior to the return of the work. Canadian applicants should include a stamped self-addressed mailer for this purpose. US and other international applicants should include either a money order in Canadian funds or international postal coupons to cover the cost of return.

English Language Requirement

The language of instruction at the university is English. Required courses in all Graduate Programs include small group seminars in which discussion, reading, and writing at the graduate level are expected. International applicants for whom English is a second language must submit evidence of their ability to carry on studies in English. Applicants for whom English is a second language must submit evidence of their ability to carry on studies in English. This evidence must be provided through one of the following:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 575 (paper), 233 (computer), or 90-91 (internet)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
• Michigan Examination (MELAB): 80
• CanTEST (Saint Mary’s University): 4.5
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): 70

These test results must be sent directly from the testing service to NSCAD University, Admissions Office, to be considered valid. No offer of admission will be made until such scores are received.

Some members of the Metro Halifax Universities Consortium offer summer and year-long programs in English as a Second Language. International students may wish to contact Saint Mary’s University regarding such programs at Continuing Education, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H 3C3 or fax (902) 420 5151.

The MDes (International) Program is specifically developed for Chinese students and includes an intensive English Language training component prior to enrollment in Design studies.

Transfer From Other Institutions

NSCAD University accepts transfer graduate liberal arts credits at par from those public or private universities and colleges that are either members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, or are chartered or accredited as post-secondary degree-granting bodies by appropriate agencies in other countries. Students admitted to the graduate programs may transfer a maximum of 3 graduate liberal arts credits.