The NPC and CCS Concept Design degree pathway

NPC College of Arts & Design (NPC) and College for Creative Studies (CCS) have partnered to create a cross-institutional pathway enabling NPC graduates to complete both an NPC Concept Design Diploma and a CCS Concept Design BFA, fully prepared to enter the entertainment industry. We are not just preparing students for careers; we are equipping them to change lives.

Character design sheet for Yu the Fisherman with colour combinations and a final render
Student work
Step one
Concept Design Diploma, NPC College, 15 months
Step two
Concept Design BFA, College for Creative Studies, 3 years
Credentials
Diploma and bachelor’s degree
Transfer credits
Up to 33 of the 126 required for the BFA

What is the NPC and CCS pathway?

This cross-institutional pathway enables graduates of the NPC Concept Design Diploma to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Concept Design in just three years. The Concept Design BFA is a STEM-designated program, which allows graduates to be eligible for an F-1 visa STEM OPT extension. CCS also offers exclusive seat holds for qualified NPC graduates and scholarships of up to US$100,000 to be applied towards CCS tuition.

The transfer agreement between the NPC Diploma in Concept Design and the CCS Bachelor of Fine Arts in Concept Design sets out the courses and credits involved. Under the 2023/24 catalogue, the BFA requires 126 credits and up to 33 may transfer on completion of the NPC diploma. The degree completion plan for NPC graduates lists 94 credits remaining, taken over six semesters at CCS.

Read the transfer agreement (PDF)

  • Dual credentials: diploma and degree
  • Industry-ready
  • Accelerated pathway
  • Save time, tuition and living costs

How does the pathway work?

NPC graduates submit an application to the BFA program at College for Creative Studies. Once you are accepted, the CCS Global Engagement Office (GEO) will assist you in obtaining your student visa to attend the College.

To attend CCS, Canadian and international students are sponsored on an F-1 student visa. To apply for your visa, the International Student Services Office (ISSO) requires a set of documents, submitted through the CCS Global Visa Information Application on SlideRoom. The link is sent to you by the CCS admissions team. Once complete, the GEO issues your I-20 form, which you need to apply for your visa at a US consulate abroad. If you plan to bring dependents (a spouse or child), you will need to submit additional documentation.

College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a private art and design college located in Detroit, Michigan, providing students a rigorous and innovative education aligned with industry requirements. CCS emphasizes hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and a curriculum that blends traditional artistic skills with contemporary technology and design thinking.

Disclaimer Admission to NPC does not guarantee admission to CCS programs. Applicants must meet CCS’s admission requirements.

The route, step by step

  1. Before you start

    No experience in drawing or design yet, but a dream of becoming a concept artist? Preparatory courses are offered at NPC Arts Centre, our sister school.

  2. Diploma, year 1

    Concept Design Diploma at NPC College of Arts & Design.

  3. Diploma, year 2

    Complete the Concept Design Diploma. Students who start at 16 can finish the diploma alongside high school and graduate with both.

  4. University year 1

    Diploma credits are transferred to College for Creative Studies. Begin Concept Design BFA studies at CCS.

  5. University year 2

    Concept Design BFA studies at College for Creative Studies.

  6. University year 3

    Complete the Concept Design BFA at College for Creative Studies. Graduate with a bachelor’s degree, industry-ready, and start a career in the entertainment industry.

Student story

Anna, a 2023 NPC graduate, received a CCS entrance scholarship of US$26,000 per year.

I am honored to be given the opportunity to enroll at the Concept Design Program at CCS and learn from a trailblazer of the industry, Mr. Tim Flattery. I was incredibly moved by the amount of support the admissions department has provided me these past few months and look forward to my future at Detroit!

Anna NPC graduate, 2023

Anna had her NPC Concept Design Diploma credits transferred to CCS and will complete her Concept Design BFA at CCS in three years. She benefits financially with a total tuition saving of $127,950 to complete the BFA program.

Questions about the pathway

How long does the diploma plus degree take?
The NPC Concept Design Diploma takes 15 months and the Concept Design BFA at College for Creative Studies can then be completed in three years, based on full-time study and successful completion of the credits set out in the transfer agreement.
How many credits transfer to CCS?
Under the 2023/24 catalogue, the CCS Concept Design BFA requires 126 credits. Up to 33 credits may transfer on completion of the NPC Concept Design Diploma, and the degree completion plan for NPC graduates lists 94 credits remaining. Transfer credit requires a minimum grade of C and is subject to CCS’s transfer credit policies.
Is admission to CCS guaranteed?
No. Admission to NPC does not guarantee admission to CCS programs. Applicants must meet CCS’s admission requirements at the time they apply, including a portfolio and official transcripts.
Do I need a US visa?
Yes. Canadian and international students attend CCS on an F-1 student visa. The CCS Global Engagement Office issues the I-20 form you need to apply.

Start with the Concept Design Diploma

Applications for the September 2027 intake are open. The early admission deadline is March 1, 2027 and the regular deadline is July 1, 2027.

Apply nowBook a campus visit