Welcome events

INCLUDE London 2026 is an international conference organised by the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design. You will have the opportunity to explore some of the INCLUDE exhibition in the Hangar space when you collect your ID card.

Once you are fully or temporarily enrolled, you can collect your RCA Student ID card! Each programme has a designated collection date and time. Follow the link below to find out how and where you can collect your ID card as a first year, or returning student.

Welcome Mixer

Meet your peers and meet the ArtBar on your first day!
Time: 6pm - 12am
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington Campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Welcome Picnic

Join us for a lunchtime mixer picnic in your new local park! Free lunch provided.

Time: 12-2pm
Location: Battersea Park (meet outside the Dyson Building at 12pm)
Find out more: RCA Student Union website

InnovationRCA Welcome Talk

This interactive talk will provide an introduction to InnovationRCA, the Royal College of Art’s centre for Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property and Commercialisation. It will provide students with an overview of the services available to them whilst they are studying at the College and the programmes on offer once they graduate. The talk will include examples of start-ups and creative businesses the centre has supported and their success stories.

Time: 1-2pm
Location: Gorvy Lecture Theatre, Dyson Building, RCA Battersea Campus
Book: Eventbrite

President & Vice-Chancellor Welcome (Battersea)

Students are invited to join Professor Christoph Lindner, the RCA’s President & Vice-Chancellor, for a Welcome Reception at the Battersea Campus. Refreshments will be provided. Space for this event is limited, and there will be opportunities later in the academic year to meet with the RCA President and Vice-Chancellor. We also invite you to watch Professor Lindner's Welcome message to all RCA students in the Your Student Journey course in Moodle.

Time: 2-4pm
Location: DesignBar, Dyson Building, RCA Battersea Campus
Book: Eventbrite

Board Games Evening

Test out your Sicilian defence and make some friends in a chilled environment.

Time: 5pm
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington Campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Welcome Picnic

Join us for a lunchtime mixer picnic in your new local park! Free lunch provided.

Time: 1-3pm
Location: Hyde Park, Kensington
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

InnovationRCA Welcome Talk

This interactive talk will provide an introduction to InnovationRCA, the Royal College of Art’s centre for Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property and Commercialisation. It will provide students with an overview of the services available to them whilst they are studying at the College and the programmes on offer once they graduate. The talk will include examples of start-ups and creative businesses the centre has supported and their success stories.

Time: 1-2pm
Location: LT1, Darwin Building, RCA Kensington Campus
Book: Eventbrite

Welcome Picnic

Join us for a lunchtime mixer picnic in your new local park! Free lunch provided.

Time: 1-3pm
Location: Garden House, White City RCA Campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

ArtBar Event: Drinks ‘Stock Market’ Evening

Drink prices crash and spike depending on what everyone’s ordering!

Time: 6pm-12am
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington Campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Technical Services Festival

The Technical Services Festival is a one-day event where technical staff from across the RCA will showcase a wide variety of materials and samples from their workshops. It's a fantastic opportunity for new students to discover the resources and expertise available throughout Technical Services, and to learn about the access requirements for each workshop.

Time: 10am-1pm, 2-5pm
Location: DesignBar, Dyson Building, RCA Battersea campus
Find out more: See the Technical Services Festival website

Social Media Advice Desk

A chance to meet the RCA's social media team and get some guidance on how you can use your social media for self-promotion during your degree. You can also find out how to apply for roles working as a social media content creator with the RCA.

Time: 10am-1pm
Location: DesignBar, Dyson Building, RCA Battersea campus

Apperitivo Night

It’s your chance to try out some of our drinks selection, all the spritz’s, negroni, white wines, prosecco & our bitter non-alcoholic options, and with that, you will get some Stuzzichini (little bites)

Time: 4–10pm
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Welcome Fair

Join societies, meet university departments, and grab freebies from brands at our ‘freshers’ fair.

Time: 11am – 4pm
Location: Canteen, Darwin Building, RCA Kensington campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Library Tours

Time: 12pm, 1pm
Location: Library, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus

Pre-sessional EAP Showcase

Exhibition of online Pre-sessional student work from all Spring and Summer 2026 cohorts.

Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: DesignBar, Dyson Building, RCA Battersea campus

ArtBar Late Welcome Party

A big bash in the ArtBar to welcome you to the RCA! Live DJ and discounted drinks! Food available at the bar.
Time: 6pm-12am
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Arts and Crafts Session

Swing by and meet the SU over some casual crafting.

Time: 12–2pm
Location: DesignBar, Dyson Building, RCA Battersea campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Meet your New Neighbours Lucky Dip!

'Making Roots with Student Success' - 1 of 3 creative, connecting activities focused on establishing a secure sense of home and community while studying at the RCA

Time: 12–2pm
Location: The Hangar, RCA Battersea campus

Library Tours

Time: 12pm, 1pm
Location: Library, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus

South Kensington Nature & Climate Guided Tour

Get to know the local neighbourhood of South Kensington and learn about the impact of climate change on nature in the local area.

Time: 4-5pm
Location: Hyde Park, Kensington
Book: Eventbrite

Coffee and Cake Drop-In

Meet the SU and chat to your peers over coffee and cake.

Time: 12-2pm
Location: Café area, RCA White City campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Library Tour

Time: 1pm
Location: Library, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus

Rausing Research and Innovation Building Tour

Join the Research Centres Manager for a tour of the 7 floors of the Rausing Research and Innovation Building. This will include short introductions to the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Centre for Materials Science & Culture, Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, Bio Materials Lab and SNAP Visualisation Lab.

Times: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Location: Rausing Building, RCA Battersea campus
Book: Eventbrite

Finding Your Voice Workshop

A workshop to support international students and build confidence during the shift to a new culture. Run by RCA alumni Terence Senford.

Time: 5-7pm
Location: STU 01.005, Studio Building, RCA Battersea campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Global Mixer

Meet your peers from around the world at the ArtBar!

Time: 6-10pm
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Free House Plants Stall!

'Making Roots with Student Success' – one of three creative, connecting activities focused on establishing a secure sense of home and community while studying at the RCA.

Time: 12-2pm
Location: Courtyard Galleries, Darwin Building, RCA Kensington campus

Pub Quiz at the Rose

Know your pop culture? Any good at capital cities? Quiz with us at your new local!

Time: 6pm
Location: The Rose, Battersea
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

South Kensington Nature & Climate Guided Tour

Get to know the local neighbourhood of South Kensington and learn about the impact of climate change on nature in the local area.

Time: 4-5pm
Location: Hyde Park, Kensington
Book: Eventbrite

Finding Your Voice Workshop

A workshop to support international students and build confidence during the shift to a new culture. Run by RCA alumni Terence Senford.

Time: 5-7pm
Location: STU 01.005, Studio Building, RCA Battersea campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Open Mic Night

No sign-ups necessary, talk to the bar staff if you want to give it a go!

Time: 6-10pm
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Pre-sessional EAP Showcase

Exhibition of online Pre-sessional student work from all Spring and Summer 2026 cohorts.

Time: 2–4pm
Location: Courtyard Galleries, Darwin Building, RCA Kensington campus

Techs on Deck Party

RCA technicians DJ up a storm at our first Techs on Decks of the year!

Time: 7pm–late
Location: ArtBar, Frayling Building, RCA Kensington campus
Find out more: See the RCA Student Union website

Make a Study Journal Workshop

'Making Roots with Student Success': 1 of 3 creative, connecting activities focused on establishing a secure sense of home and community while studying at the RCA

Time: 2–4pm
Location: Café area, RCA White City campus