Royal College of Art

Ranked for ten 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 (2015-2025).

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.

Study 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