Why Pursue Degree at Royal College of Art?
- Programs: The Royal College of Art offers 40 postgraduate programs - including Master's, Ph.D., and Graduate Diploma. The Royal College for art was ranked in the 1st position in Art and Design by QS world rankings 2022.
- Admission Requirements: All applicants must evidence a good undergraduate degree in a related subject area and an overall IELTS score of 7.0. Applicants applying to any of the specialisms should also be able to demonstrate technical skills through portfolios, short videos, and a statement of purpose.
- Admission Deadlines: Royal College of Art offers admission in two intakes- January and July. However, applications are processed on a first-come-first-serve basis. Hence, applicants are advised to apply early for better chances of acceptance of their application.
- Financial Aid: In 2021, the RCA gave EUR 500,000 from its own operating surplus as financial aid to support fees for individuals from under-represented communities. The majority of named scholarships are offered in the first round of MA program applications.
- Placements: The university has an employment rate of 93%. Some of the top recruiters of the university are Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Gap in Fashion Industry; Jaguar, Bentley, Hyundai, Volkswagen in Automotive Industry; and Google, Apple, Sony, Philips in MNCs. Also Check: Jobs in UK.
Highlights
| Type | Public |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Number of Campuses | 3 |
| Programs Offered | Graduate, Postgraduate |
| Payment of Fees | In advance, On registration or In two Installations |
| Student Support Information | Email Id: student-support@rca.ac.uk Contact Number: +44 (0)20 7590 4140 |
| Application and Offer Enquiries | admissions@rca.ac.uk |
Royal College of Art Campus and Accommodation
- The college has three campuses: Battersea, Kensington and White City.
- The RCA Battersea campus houses Ceramics and Glass, Painting, Contemporary Art Practice, etc. It also hosts a number of art exhibitions and events. It was also provided with funding in 2016 by the UK Government to come up with a new building for the campus.
- The Kensington Campus, located in Albertopolis in London is surrounded by the Imperial College and Victoria and Albert Museum on both sides. It also has Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park in its vicinity. It is home to the School of Architecture, School of Design and the School of Arts and Humanities programs as well as the RCA library.
- The White City campus is the newest addition to the RCA. Opened in 2017, Located in the BBC Media Village, it offers graduate diploma programs in Art & Design, houses the School of Communication as well as research programs in Communication Design. It also has a number of art studios, technical spaces and workshops that cater to students’ needs.
- A student’s union has been put in order in the college that acts as the representative of the students and provides a premise to bond and network. Various events dedicated to different talents are also organized for the students.
Royal College of Art Accommodation
The college does not offer any on-campus boarding however, below are some useful tips regarding the accommodation for students:
- Students admitted to the university have access to the University of London Housing Service. This will give them advice on housing, accommodation, legal advice among other things.
- The price of accommodation varies from place to place, in and around London.
- This price will also vary depending on the type of boarding the student chooses to live in.
- Below are some approximate prices for long term and short term accommodation:
| Type of Accommodation | Short Term | Type Of Accommodation | Long Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostel | GBP 15-GBP 30 per night | Shared House | GBP 400-GBP 1000 per month |
| Hall Of Residence | GBP 145–GBP 400 per week (bills included) | Studio Flat | GBP 190 per week |
| Hotel | GBP 60 minimum per night | 1 bedroom flat | GBP 250 per week or more |
| AirBnB | GBP 40 per night | 2 bedroom flat | GBP 300 per week or more |
Royal College of Art Courses
- The university offers a variety of courses for international students in different areas of study including Arts and Humanities, Design, Business, Communication, and Architecture, etc.
- Some of these include MA in Service Design, MA in Architecture, MA in Animation, MA in Design Products, MPhil/Ph.D. in Communication, etc.
- Programs are also segregated into Pre Master’s which includes Diploma, Taught Master’s depending upon the major chosen, and Postgraduate research programs.
- It also has a number of research centers that offer interdisciplinary research and expertise from the field of science, engineering, and technology in combination with art and design.
- Royal Academy also provides preparatory programs and international exchange programs or student exchange programs.
Royal College of Art Application Process
Seeking admission at the institute could be difficult, however, if you do get in, you will have access to some of the best world-class facilities and teaching experience. It is recommended that you have a strong balanced profile in your undergraduate years. Here are some of the requirements for your graduate Master’s application:
How to apply?
Application Portal: University's Portal
Basic Admission Requirements:
- The RCA Application consists of two stages, stage one is where student information has to be submitted, and stage two consists of submission of a portfolio along with a short self-introduction video and references.
- English Language Proficiency with a score of 6.5 in IELTS with 6.0 in the Test of Written English.
- Portfolios showcasing different skill sets required for the discipline you choose to major in. The requirements for each portfolio change from major to major.
- Visa information is required if you are not from the UK.
- Information regarding your past academic institutions and qualifications and their transcripts
- If selected, applicants may be required to give an interview.
Royal College of Art Cost of Attendance
The basic cost of living for international students to stay in the UK while enrolled at the institute is as tabulated below.
| Category | Annual Cost (in EUR) |
|---|---|
| Rent | 10,920 |
| Food | 2,600 |
| Household Goods | 475 |
| Household Bills | 520 |
| Insurance | 86.32 |
| Personal Items | 15,000 |
| Leisure Items | 1,300 |
| Travel | 1,237.60 |
| Course Materials | 2,800 |
Royal College of Art Scholarships for International Students
The institute provides a number of scholarships to eligible candidates who demonstrate the academic qualifications as financial support for international students looking to study in the UK for the same. The awards at the college are extremely competitive, therefore, students are also advised to look into external funding options.
Before considering applying for any of the scholarships, make sure you read the conditions and terms of requirements for the same. Below are some of the Scholarships offered by the Institute:
- Karakusevic Carson Scholarship for MA Architecture worth GBP 10,000.
- The Leathersellers' Bursaries are eligible for MA Fashion and Textile students using leather in their studies worth GBP 5000.
- Heveningham Concours Scholarship for students of intelligent mobility worth GBP 30,000.
- School voor Jong Talent Foundation Fund: 500 GBP to 1,750 GBP
- Holland Scholarship: 5,000 GBP (one-time)
- VSB Fund: 7,000 GBP to 10,000 GBP
External funding is available in the form of loans as well as funding for MPhil and MRes students. Indian students can avail of the Inlaks scholarships while applying here.
Royal College of Art Alumni Network
Some of the alumni benefits are Degree letters, Professional Development classes, LSW Discounts, Invitation to college events, Alumni networking, access to Publication and library. The University has produced some noteworthy alumni throughout the years, creating major success in their fields of interest.
Notable Alumni:
- David Hockney – British Painter
- Yvonne McGuinness – Visual Artist
- Bridget Riley – Fine Art Artist
Royal College of Art Placements
Students graduating from the institute have landed some of the best high paying jobs in the industry they choose to work for. According to the Royal College of Art, 90% of the students have claimed to have a positive impact on their careers due to the Royal College of Art. The college organizes various seminars and fairs to encourage students in gaining exposure to the real world.
| Degree | Average Salary (in EUR) |
|---|---|
|
Masters of Arts |
50,000 |
|
Master (Other) |
46,000 |
The Royal College of Art is wholly a postgraduate, offering a Graduate Diploma conversion program and Master’s, MPhil, MRes, and Ph.D. degrees. Based around the four Schools of Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication, and Design. It is the world’s oldest art and design university in continuous operation, with a tradition of innovation and excellence in creative education.
