By Business & Finance 
The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) has been ranked among the top 100 art and design colleges in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject released today.
Located on Dublin’s Thomas Street, NCAD has 1,000 full-time students and a further 600 students who are taking evening courses. The college has four schools in design, education, fine art and visual culture.
NCAD offers the largest range of art and design degrees Ireland at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and is the only institution specialising in art and design within university education.
This is the second year in a row NCAD has been ranked in the top 100 and it has climbed five places, from 73 to 68, and was ranked 40th overall in terms of academic reputation.
Only 27 European universities were included in the top 100, out of which NCAD was ranked 17th. NCAD is also the only Irish college to feature on the list in the art and design category.
Bernard Hanratty, acting director, NCAD, said: “We are delighted that the college has been ranked among the top 100 art and design colleges in the world and it is a real tribute to the quality of our students and the commitment of our academic staff.”
He continued: “Over the past few years the board and executive have concentrated on restructuring the framework for many of our programmes. This has been in keeping with international best practice. By doing this we have ensured NCAD continues to turn out highly skilled art and design graduates, who make a valuable contribution to Ireland’s economy and society.
“Creative skills are in high demand from leading global employers because creative graduates add value at the highest levels of industry. Creative graduates have a key role to play in adding value to both the economy and to Irish society,” he added.
