Design History & Material Culture

The MA Design History explores objects, systems, buildings and spaces in their contemporary and historic contexts. At its heart is an enquiry into the relationships of spaces, things, users and makers: how have we shaped the material world, and how does it shape us?



The Design History and Material Culture MA programme is taught through seminars and guided research, equipping students with the skills to research, analyse and write about the material world in its various historic and contemporary contexts. Students conduct supervised research and write a dissertation, which they submit at the end of the programme. A list of dissertation topics can be downloaded here.



The programme offers deep engagement with a wide range of research practices including object analysis, archival research, ethnographic method, oral history and philosophical enquiry. Students have opportunities to undertake high level research, to test and employ new critical concepts, and to engage in a wide variety of writing practices.



Through themed modules students explore a wide range of topics such as fashion and textile history from the eighteenth century to the present day; histories of urban space and architecture; histories of technology; histories and practices of making; the material culture of everyday life in the eighteenth century; twentieth-century Irish material culture; contemporary design writing and more.



Students benefit from behind-the-scenes access to museum collections. A strength of the course is its relationship with local and national institutions, with modules built around collaborations with (for example) the Irish Architecture Foundation, the National Library of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland.



Opportunities to Engage



External Partners

MA DHMC students benefit from the programme’s close partnership with the National Museum of Ireland as well as a range of other joint initiatives with a wide range of museums, cultural institutions and historic properties such as The Little Museum of Dublin, the National Library of Ireland, NUI Maynooth Department of Anthropology and others.



Internships

Students who wish to gain relevant work experience have been assisted by the DHMC course team in organising internships at appropriate institutions.



Public events

The programme regularly hosts public lectures, workshops and conferences. Information about forthcoming events will appear on NCAD's In Public website.

Education Standard

All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)



Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements may be considered on the basis of prior work or learning experience (RPEL). Candidates may be required to pass a qualifying examination set by the relevant department before being accepted to a Masters degree programme. Attendance at selected undergraduate lecture courses at NCAD, together with related written work may be prescribed.



You may apply for the programme if you are currently completing your Undergraduate Degree. NCAD will review the rest of your application If necessary, we can make you a Conditional Offer. When your degree is completed and you send us final transcripts we will upgrade this to a Full Offer.



Essential Supporting Documents

A Statement of Interest - 300-500 words framing your reasons for applying to the programme



A recent CV



Certified transcripts of previous programmes followed



Certified copies of degree/ certificates and/or other appropriate third level qualifications bearing the official stamp of the institution.



Academic Reference (Head of School/Department preferred), or if you graduated more than 4 years' ago please submit an employer reference



Some referees prefer to submit the reference directly to the college. If this is the case, please instruct your referee to email a standard reference to postgraduate@ncad.ie. Please make sure all references contain the letterhead and the institution contact email address for the referee



English Language Requirements

All programmes in NCAD are taught through English. International Applicants are asked to provide proof of their English Language Proficiency.



Full details of acceptable tests and the standard required can be found at the following link English Language Requirement. https://www.ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/international/english-language-requirement/

Applications open in Autumn 2025

2 years part-time.

Next course commences in September 2026

After Your Degree

The programme consistently receives excellent feedback from both external examiners and students. Students on the programme have received internationally recognised awards for their work and many have gone on to pursue doctoral research at NCAD and elsewhere. Graduates have published their work in peer reviewed journals and many are working within education (second and third level), art / design practice, galleries, museums, historic houses, film, theatre, publishing and government bodies responsible for arts/craft promotion.