Royal College of Art

Ranked for twelve consecutive years as the world’s number 1 art & design university*, the Royal College of Art’s postgraduate programmes enable you to tackle complex issues, push the boundaries of your practice, build your networks and find your voice as a creative professional.

Committed to creating the next generation of artists, designers, architects, communicators, researchers, creators and innovators, the RCA’s world-leading academic staff will guide and challenge you to push the boundaries of your practice. As the world’s largest community of postgraduate-only art and design students, you will be part of a collective of inspirational creative peers opening up opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The broad range of disciplines on offer is based on a strong foundation of practice-based research and integrates STEAM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics - providing a unique and transformative experience.

*QS World University subject rankings (2015-2026).

Join our online Q&A Week

Ask any questions you might have to our MA-level study teams. With a range of programme sessions hosted by our academics, you'll get clarity on what to expect from studying at the RCA.

Events programme

Tuesday 5 May

• 10am - Digital Direction MA
• 10am - Communication MFA
• 11am - Master of Research MRes
• 12pm - Information Experience Design MA
• 12pm - Print MA
• 12pm - Creative Education MEd
• 1pm - Textiles MA
• 2pm - Sculpture MA

Wednesday 6 May

• 10am - Interior Design MA
• 10am - City Design MA (covering Asia)
• 10am - Arts & Humanities MFA
• 11am - Contemporary Art Practice MA
• 11am - Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc
• 11am - Service Design MA
• 12pm - Design Products MA
• 12.30pm - Design Practice MArch
• 1pm - V&A/RCA History of Design MA
• 2pm - Intelligent Mobility MA
• 2pm - Design Futures MDes
• 2pm - Fashion MA
• 3pm - Animation MA
• 4pm - City Design MA (covering Americas)

Thursday 7 May

• 10am - Ceramics & Glass | Jewellery & Metal MA
• 10am - Environmental Architecture MA
• 10am - Curating Contemporary Art MA
• 11am - Architecture MA
• 3pm - Painting MA
• 3pm - Writing MA

Friday 8 May

• 10am - Photography MA
• 10.30am - Visual Communication MA

Please watch our programme recordings before attending the event. We won’t be covering the full presentations during the session, so we encourage you to view the recordings in advance. This will help you prepare your questions, ensuring a more productive and engaging discussion.

The RCA was all about brain expansion and being exposed to things that I had never considered or thought of or had to deal with within my work. It very much felt like breaking down everything I already knew. Being able to learn in such an environment with such an amazing range of academic and technical staff, and the fact that everyone kind of came from a different background made it so much more of, so much of a richer experience.

Lucy Hardcastle, Information Experience Design MA

Whatever your creative career aspirations, the RCA can help you realise them. A qualification from the world’s number one ranked university for Art & Design has proven invaluable to the careers and practice of thousands of graduates. You too could be part of our international network of creative individuals who have shaped, and continue to shape, the world surrounding us, and address some of the biggest global challenges of our time.

We attract the most talented students who come to us as the world’s most influential postgraduate art and design school to have access to leading faculty and push the boundaries of their fields.

I learned how to work with people and with communities, just understanding different points of view and bringing that together. Coming to RCA with the idea of: ‘What are the things I could make? has completely shifted to: ‘How can we get together and make things

Rashmi Bidasaria, Design Products MA

Facilities

Our facilities and technical equipment are amongst the best of their kind in the world and support students in their explorations of the creative possibilities of both the new and innovative and traditional craft skills.

Student life at Royal College of Art

Our Global Creative Community

Students come to the College from across the globe and bring with them a wide range of backgrounds, educational approaches and experiences - due to the cross-disciplinary nature of our work, and our growing range of courses, nearly 25% of students now come to the RCA with a Bachelor's degree in a subject other than art and design. Studying here means you'll be part of a network of inspiring students in a city known for creative culture, and part of the RCA’s rich history since its formation in 1837. Both the RCA and London as a whole are hubs of activity; full of places where you can socialise, explore and make new discoveries.

Our London campus is spread throughout the heart of one of the world’s most creative cities, with sites in the historic surroundings of Kensington, the future-thinking hub of White City, and the cultural quarter in Battersea.

I think it's a pretty magical space, with this energy that you most likely don't get again in life. You work next to like-minded people and you can immediately talk about things, exchange thoughts, and push your practice further. It's motivating to come back every day and see everyone. It’s different from having a studio by yourself.

Theresa Weber, Sculpture MA

Every day is different. I teach undergraduate architecture. I co-run a design studio. I do a lot of architectural writing, and I run my own design practice. I’ve got lots of different roles. I do think my work is part of who I am. Everyone who knows me knows that architecture is my passion, and I feel lucky to be paid to do something I love.

Shawn Adams (Architecture MA, 2020), architect, writer, lecturer, co-founder of POoR Collective.

Frequently asked questions

Who goes to the RCA?

Students from over 70 countries come to the RCA. We welcome applications from talented, creative individuals from all over the world. Many are from backgrounds you might expect such as art, design, architecture, communications, media and humanities. Others come from disciplines as broad as engineering, social sciences, technology, toolmaking, medicine, business, law, physics, life coaching, economics, teaching, music... the list is endless. What RCA students share is the potential, commitment and ambition to make change in the world through art and design. Chat with RCA students

How do I get onto my preferred programme if I do not have an art or design background?

If you are not from a design or creative industries background, you are welcome to submit a statement of your professional practice, along with any images, instead of a portfolio.

If you feel you are not quite prepared to apply for an Master’s programme, we invite you to apply for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design pre-Master’s programme. Applicants come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines and all applications are evaluated on their individual merits.

How can I meet with RCA staff?

Plenty of ways, including:

• Attending an on-campus open day
• Joining a student-led, monthly campus tour
• Joining our online events for prospective students
• Attending our off-site events around the UK and the World

What scholarships do you have available?

The RCA offers a wide range of scholarships and bursary schemes, open to UK and International students, and across our full range of courses. Visit our website for more information about our schemes and how to apply for them. There are also Government funded options for both our Master's degrees and for our doctoral research Programmes (for UK students).

The RCA is a super-dynamic environment. It’s a multidisciplinary, multicultural environment that fosters amazing creativity with teaching, rigour and experimental ways of thinking. It fostered an environment where I could expand my ideology, my understanding about art and design and architecture while giving me the space to think about scale in a totally different way

Yussef Agbo-Ola (Environmental Architecture MA, 2019)

What types of jobs to graduates go on to?

The RCA has consistently produced world leaders in the fields of creative endeavour – acting as a launchpad for the careers of major international figures.

Our alumni shape the world – whether founding their own studios and brands, pushing the boundaries of possibility through their start-ups or taking on impressive roles with global companies across a wide range of disciplines.

Where will the RCA take you?

What if I want to start my own business?

Our creative students have ambitions of being their own boss and making their own decisions, so launch their own enterprises or studios either soon after graduating or any some time employed in industry. Many did not intend to start their studies considering themselves entrepreneurs but discovered an idea during their studies with their fellow students that they believe would make a successful business. InnovationRCA – the College’s centre for student and graduate enterprise and entrepreneurship – supports students and recent graduates to transform compelling ideas into successful businesses, providing incubation, intellectual property and commercialisation support.

I had been working in documentary film distribution for a few years. It was very focused on the market and sales aspect of filmmaking, which left me wanting to experiment and make things without thinking of the commercial implications. I wanted to spend time making for the sake of making. I knew my film would suffer if I didn't do that.

Chloe Abrahams (Contemporary Art Practice MA, 2022)

Graduate Showcase

Graduate Showcase: School of Arts & Humanities (Battersea Campus)

Thu 18 June 2026 - Sunday 21 June 2026
Royal College of Art (Battersea campus)

Every year, the RCA hosts its Graduate Showcase, celebrating the creativity and achievements of its students. This event is the perfect opportunity to discover the art and design world’s newest talent and latest innovations. If you’re interested, don’t miss the chance to see the work of the School of Arts & Humanities 2025–26 students at the showcase, taking place from 18-21 June 2026.

Graduate Showcase: School of Architecture (Kensington Campus)

Fri 03 July 2026 - Sunday 05 July 2026
Royal College of Art (Kensington campus)

Every year, the RCA hosts its Graduate Showcase, celebrating the creativity and achievements of its students. This event is the perfect opportunity to discover the art and design world’s newest talent and latest innovations. If you’re interested, don’t miss the chance to see the work of the School of Architecture’s 2025–26 students at the showcase, taking place from 3-5 July 2026.

Graduate Showcase: School of Communication (White City Campus)

Fri 03 July 2026 - Sunday 12 July 2026
Royal College of Art (White City Campus)

Every year, the RCA hosts its Graduate Showcase, celebrating the creativity and achievements of its students. This event is the perfect opportunity to discover the art and design world’s newest talent and latest innovations. If you’re interested, don’t miss the chance to see the work of the School of Communication 2025–26 students at the showcase, taking place from 03-12 July 2026.

Graduate Showcase: School of Design EXPO (Battersea Campus)

Thu 16 July 2026 - Sunday 19 July 2026
Royal College of Art (Battersea campus)

Every year, the RCA hosts its Graduate Showcase, celebrating the creativity and achievements of its students. This event is the perfect opportunity to discover the art and design world’s newest talent and latest innovations. If you’re interested, don’t miss the chance to see the work of the School of Design EXPO 2025–26 students at the showcase, taking place from 16-19 July 2026.

Online Portfolio Q&As

Join our Admissions Tutors to find out what the RCA looks for in a strong application and portfolio, and answer your questions about applying and studying at the RCA.