The Government of Pakistan admission policy of national institutions is applicable at NCA.

2% separate quota seats of total, 1st year (F.C) seats of the College are reserved for differently abled candidates. All such applicants should attach an application with the admission form indicating their desire to be considered for special seat. A certificate issued and duly verified by the Disability Board of the respective Government hospital must be attached with the application.

Separate seats are allocated for candidates from foreign countries who have other than Pakistani or Azad Jammu and Kashmir citizenship.  Admission to the College for foreign nationals is processed by the College through Higher Education Commission (HEC). A total of 11 seats are reserved for foreign candidates at NCA Lahore and 5 seats for NCA Rawalpindi Campus.

In accordance with the decision of the Government of Pakistan separate 2% quota seats are allocated for the children of refugees of the Indian held Kashmir (IHK).  Admission on these seats is processed by the Federal Government.

In accordance with the decision of the Government of Pakistan, a separate 2% quota is allocated for the children of overseas Pakistanis on a Self-Finance and Self-Support basis. All such applicants must submit an application along with the admission form, indicating their desire to be considered for the overseas Pakistani quota. They must also attach copies of their passport and overseas Pakistani identity card.

In accordance with the decision of the Government of Pakistan, a separate 2% quota is allocated for minority students. All such applicants must submit an application along with the admission form, indicating their desire to be considered for the minority quota. They must also attach relevant proof of their minority status.

A number of students are admitted to the College as full fee paying students. Admission tests on the basis of open merit for this scheme are identical to those conducted for other students. An equally high merit in the test is required to qualify for admission as a full-fee paying/self finance student under the full-fee paying/self finance scheme. 

The full tuition fee for the length of the course in Fine Arts, Design and Music is Rs. 764,500/- and Rs. 963,600/- for Architecture, Multimedia Art and Film & Television. Fee is non refundable in case a student is disqualified/expelled; or the voluntary discontinuation of the course on the part of the student for whatever reason at any stage of his/her studies. In addition to the tuition fee stated above, students will be required to pay other dues and student charges.