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National Art School

Sydney, Australia · Public · Est. Teaching began in 1843 (Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts); fully independent tertiary institution since 2009

Updated 28 Oct 2026

Established

Teaching began in 1843 (Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts); fully independent tertiary institution since 2009

Type

Public

Location

Sydney, Australia

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0

About the university

The National Art School (NAS) is a fine art school in Darlinghurst, inner Sydney. Its art teaching goes back to 1843, and since 1922 it has used the sandstone buildings of the former Darlinghurst Gaol, with old cells turned into studios. It started offering accredited degrees in 1996 and became a fully independent tertiary institution in 2009.

Indian students look at NAS for studio-based fine art training in painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photomedia and drawing. Entry is competitive and based on a portfolio, a personal statement and an interview. NAS is not a university and is not in world university rankings.

Type
Independent fine art school; recognised as a NSW State Significant Organisation in 2019
CRICOS provider code
03197B
Campus
156 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney (the heritage-listed former Darlinghurst Gaol)
Degrees
Bachelor of Fine Art, Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours), Master of Fine Art, Doctor of Fine Art
Studios
Ceramics, Drawing (a specialisation from 2027), Painting, Photomedia, Printmaking and Sculpture
Selection
Competitive: portfolio, personal statement and interview

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 2 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (AUD)Approx. in rupees
    Bachelor of Fine Art3 years full timeA$45,840≈ ₹29.8 lakh
    Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours)1 year full timeA$45,840≈ ₹29.8 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at National Art School with similar universities in Australia.

    Scholarships

      Admission requirements

      Undergraduate

      • Bachelor of Fine Art: a secondary qualification equivalent to Australian Year 12 (such as Class 12), or higher education study, or a TAFE Certificate IV in Fine Art. Diploma holders may get advanced standing into second year.
      • Selection is competitive and based on a portfolio of recent work with sketchbooks or visual diaries, a personal statement and an interview.
      • Honours: a Bachelor of Fine Art or related degree with a credit average (the International Students page says 75%), or significant professional experience, plus a project proposal and examples of work.
      • Apply through UAC or directly to NAS.

      Postgraduate

      • Doctor of Fine Art: an MFA or equivalent, or first-class or upper second-class Honours, or significant professional experience, plus a research proposal and examples of work.

      Documents

      • Academic transcripts
      • Proof of English (IELTS)
      • Portfolio of recent artworks
      • Personal statement
      • Project or research proposal (Honours and research degrees)

      Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

      English language requirements

      English requirements
      Test or routeTypical requirement
      IELTS6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, for all courses.
      Other testsPTE and TOEFL are not mentioned on the International Students page; ask NAS admissions.

      Accommodation and living costs

      NAS has no student housing. Its International Students page lists accommodation as a living cost and points to Study Australia for general information.

      Accommodation and living costs
      ItemIn AUDApprox. in rupees

      Campus and location

      NAS occupies the former Darlinghurst Gaol at 156 Forbes Street, close to Sydney's city centre.

      • The gaol was built from convict-quarried sandstone from 1822 and became the art school's home in 1922.
      • The site is on the NSW Heritage Register (2021); NAS has a 45-year lease granted in 2019.
      • Studios for ceramics, drawing, painting, photomedia, printmaking and sculpture.
      • Students choose a studio specialisation from second year of the BFA.

      Careers and graduate outcomes

      NAS trains practising artists. It publishes no graduate outcome figures on the pages we checked. See our Australia guide for post-study work rules.

      Graduate outcomes
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      Studying in Australia

      Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:

      Other universities in Australia

      Compare all universities in Australia

      FAQs

      How much does the National Art School cost for Indian students?

      The 2027 international fee is A$45,840 a year (full time) for the Bachelor of Fine Art and the Honours year. The 2026 fee was A$44,160.

      Do I need a portfolio?

      Yes. BFA applicants send a portfolio of recent work, a personal statement and have an interview.

      When do applications close for 2027?

      For the BFA, the main round closes on 26 November 2026 and the late round on 21 January 2027. Honours applications close on 16 November 2026.

      Sources

      1. NAS: home page (opens in a new tab)
      2. NAS: international students (opens in a new tab)
      3. NAS: Bachelor of Fine Art (opens in a new tab)
      4. NAS: Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) (opens in a new tab)
      5. NAS: history (opens in a new tab)

      Official website: nas.edu.au (opens in a new tab)

      Check the latest details

      We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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