Graduate Admissions Facts & FAQs

You can find information for admissions to each program here.

All applications are processed through the NC State University Graduate School. You can start your application through the NC State Graduate School Website here.

For questions regarding submitting application materials (English Proficiency Scores, Transcripts, etc.) contact the university graduate admissions office. Their contact information can be found here: https://grad.ncsu.edu/about/contact-us/

Applications are only viewed by the College of Design after all materials are submitted. You may submit your application without certain materials that are pending submission from external sources (ex: letters of recommendation, English proficiency scores), however, you should make sure you have completed all tasks within the application before submitting (providing email addresses for letter of recommendation writers, sending test scores to NC State).

There is a fee for every application submitted. We understand that this fee may be difficult for some of our applicants to pay, particularly if they are from outside the country. The NC State Graduate School generally will not waive the application fee, except in special circumstances. If you would like to inquire about a fee waiver, after you submit your application, contact Dr. David Shafer (david_shafer@ncsu.edu) in the admissions office of the Graduate School for more information. The College of Design does not waive application fees.

The University offers a detailed list of all the things you need to know as an International Applicant.

The Master of Architecture (not the Master of Advanced Architectural Studies), Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Industrial Design, and the Master of Graphic and Experience Design are STEM Designated majors.

You can find information about financial support and funding opportunities through the graduate school here. Similar information for international applicants can be found here. Applicants are considered for scholarships from the College of Design after they are admitted to a program. Scholarships are limited, and there is no additional application to apply for scholarships.

GRE scores are not required for most programs. Review admissions requirements for the program you plan to apply to for more information about GRE requirements here.

English proficiency is a requirement for successful graduate studies at NC State. The Graduate School standards for demonstration of proficiency, which are necessary in order to be admitted to graduate study, may be found here. An applicant may still be admitted to the program if they do not meet the Graduate School requirement, however, this may require an additional English course to be taken before starting major coursework.

* In addition to TOEFL and IELTS scores we accept Duolingo scores with a minimum score of 110.

Information about the estimated cost of attendance for in-state and out-of-state students can be found here. You can also find a breakdown of tuition and fee information here. Be sure to review the tuition increments for the College of Design Masters programs.

International Students

You can find more information on the cost of living here: https://grad.ncsu.edu/students/international-students/cost-of-living-in-the-u-s/Here is the estimated cost of living found on that page: https://studentservices.ncsu.edu/your-money/financial-aid/estimated-cost-of-attendance/graduate-student/
You can find information about financial support and funding opportunities through the graduate school here: https://grad.ncsu.edu/students/international-students/financial-resources-for-international-graduate-students/.

The College of Design offers some scholarships and Teaching/Research Assistantship (RA/TA) positions that are supported by the Graduate Student Support Plans (GSSP). These are typically awarded to top applicants and there are no separate applications for these awards. These competitive positions are awarded based on the information provided in the application for admission; individuals’ skills matching departmental or project needs; and availability of positions. 
College support is competitive, not need-based. Need-based support should be addressed external to the University. Aside from students in the PhD in Design program, most students self-fund their education.

NC State offers on-campus housing options for graduate students. You can review more information here.

You can review the NC State Transportation Website for information about bus routes and parking.

College of Design (usually Architecture and Landscape Architecture) students can enroll in one of the 4 certificate programs or the History and Theory Concentration offered by the College of Design. These programs do not require additional classes, they just require a careful selection of courses and electives within a students’ curriculum. You can find more information about certificates and the History and Theory concentration here.

NC State University offers a number of student employment opportunites through Campus Enterprises, the Wellness & Recreation Center, Student Centers, NCSU Libraries, University Housing, University Theatre, the Office of Global Engagement, Student Leadership & Engagement, NC State Dining, and the Global Training Initiative.

Information about Dining Services and Meal Plans can be found here.

Portfolios are required for all majors and for all tracks.

The Track 3 programs do not require admitted students to have prior knowledge of design, just a shown interest in design through your portfolio. This can be personal, professional, or academic work. Some applicants may take a course(s) at their local community college or community center (like drawing or anything related to design) to help produce work for their portfolio.

Each program has suggestions for designing portfolios on their admissions pages. The file size maximum requirements can be found in the graduate school application.

The Master of Architecture is a NAAB accredited program that satisfies one of the components required for architectural licensure in the United States.

The Master of Advanced Architectural Studies is a research-based, self-directed program. This program is not NAAB accredited or STEM-designated.

Courses may be considered for transfer credit after admission. You can find more information on the University’s transfer credit policy here. Note that each semester students take a required 6-credit studio that usually cannot be satisfied by any class that was taken prior to entering the program. So if the program leaders consider classes you have taken prior to entering the program to satisfy some of the requirements, it would most likely only be for a seminar or an elective. The time to completion from the start of the program would be the same.

Each College of Design Master’s degree offers a Track 3 program for applicants who have an undergraduate degree in a subject other than that of the program they are applying to.

Each program also offers a Track 1 or Track 2 option for applicants who have an undergraduate degree in the respective field. Please review the track information for each program to see which track you should apply to.

Please contact design_graduate@ncsu.edu. if you have any questions.

The Track 3 programs do not require admitted students to have prior knowledge of design, just a shown interest in design through your portfolio. This can be personal, professional, or academic work. Some applicants may take a course(s) at their local community college or community center (like drawing or anything related to design) to help produce work for their portfolio.

For Fall admission, all programs continue to accept applications after the January 15th priority deadline. Closer to April, please inquire with the College of Design to find out if the program you are applying to is still accepting applications.

For Spring admission, the Master of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Art & Design programs continue to accept applications after the September 1st priority deadline for international students and October 15th priority deadline for domestic students. Closer to November, please inquire with the College of Design to find out if the program you are applying to is still accepting applications. design_graduate@ncsu.edu.