Foundation Studies program

Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) University

The Foundation Year, which is the first year of study at NSCAD University, introduces the practices, principles, approaches and issues of art, craft and design. It allows new students the opportunity to begin to focus on a particular discipline area or combination of discipline areas. Students should plan to complete the 30-credit Foundation Year before taking courses at the 2000 level or higher. The Foundation Year is composed of four three-credit required FNDN courses and the remaining 18 credits chosen from among other 1000-level courses. Check Self-Service for course availability as not all elective Foundation Year courses are available every semester. In a student’s Foundation Year, registration in two required courses is recommended in the first semester and registration in two required courses is recommended in the second semester. The remaining courses in each semester should be selected from the elective Foundation courses listed below. The standard number of credits in each semester of the Foundation Year, in a standard plan of study is 15 credits, which allows the opportunity to complete the Foundation Year in two semesters.