The History of Design programme is taught by tutors from the RCA School of Humanities and the V&A Research Department, as well as a number of visiting academics and V&A curators.

The facilities include seminar and workrooms at both institutions, and a dedicated course library at the V&A. Students on the programme have direct access to the National Art Library in the V&A, one of the leading specialist art and design libraries in the world. Students are also introduced to all the relevant London-based research centres, such as the V&A’s Archive of Art and Design and the National Archives.

National and international study visits are organised each year to introduce students to important collections and archives abroad.

Students are encouraged to publish their work, sometimes in joint publications issued with the support of the two partner institutions. The History of Design programme also regularly hosts conferences and seminars, which make its work known to a wider audience.