Research Degrees
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The Royal College of Art is a globally renowned postgraduate university and one of the UK's most research-intensive institutions dedicated to art and design. Our Research Degrees offer artists, designers and makers the opportunity to explore bold ideas, push creative boundaries, and conduct research that makes a difference.
Why choose an RCA research degree?
When you choose a Research Degree at the RCA, you become part of a vibrant, international community of MPhil and PhD researchers. You'll engage with pioneering work at the forefront of art and design and contribute to groundbreaking research that shapes the future of creative practice. As a PhD or MPhil candidate, you'll benefit from:
A diverse and inclusive doctoral community
- Work alongside people from diverse countries, backgrounds and areas of expertise.
A nurturing and ambitious research culture
- Thrive in an environment that sharpens ideas and provides the means to realise them.
Exceptional training
- Get access to advanced and creative research methods and explore a wealth of development opportunities.
Research practice
- Gain experience of using your creative practice to shape and inform research projects.
World-class supervision
- Benefit from guidance from internationally recognised academics, practitioners, and leading experts in your field.
Access to resources
- Make use of RCA facilities and technical expertise, with opportunities to showcase work through exhibitions and shows.
Pathways to funding
- Explore funding opportunities to support your research journey.
Your research journey
At the RCA, you can apply for either an MPhil or a PhD. You can choose to study full-time or part-time (subject to approval). You may undertake your research as a written thesis or as a thesis with a practice-based output, and you can state your preferred mode of study in your application and discuss it further at interview.
Studying for a postgraduate research degree will challenge you to complete a research project that pushes the boundaries of knowledge, working closely with experienced supervisors to explore your ideas in depth. Unlike a taught degree, the focus is on making an original contribution to your field.
This will enable you to gain the subject matter expertise and transferable skills necessary for a diverse range of careers that blend creativity, critical thinking and advanced research expertise. Our graduates go on to become leaders in the creative industries, academia, cultural institutions and beyond.
Our research degrees
MPhil
An MPhil is awarded for original research and submission of a thesis. If you’re an MPhil candidate you’ll normally be registered for two years full-time, or four years part-time.
PhD
A PhD is awarded to students who produce a substantial piece of original research that makes a contribution to research in their chosen field.
This can be in the form of a thesis of 60,000 to 80,000 words, or as a project which comprises a body of work plus a thesis of 25,000 to 40,000 words.
If you’re a PhD candidate you’ll normally register for three years full-time, with submission within four years, or six to seven years part-time. You must remain registered and pay an appropriate fee until submission.
MPhil and PhD programmes
We offer a range of MPhil/PhD degree programmes across the following art and design disciplines:
A global postgraduate community
At the RCA, you’ll join a vibrant and supportive research community committed to academic excellence. Our Schools and world-leading Research Centres offer an inspiring environment to develop your ideas and push the boundaries of knowledge.
Research degree candidates are at the heart of our community, contributing a rich diversity of perspectives, experiences and skills. Both our students and staff come from across the globe, creating a genuinely international research culture.
You'll also build valuable networks with fellow researchers and benefit from comprehensive training and development programmes. These will equip you with both the subject-specific and transferable skills essential for completing your project and thriving in your future career.
Discover more about our work in our Schools and Research Centres through the Research and Innovation section.
Support and development
Your supervisory team
A research degree requires independent study. Depending on your project, you will spend much of your time reading, experimenting, designing, analysing, writing, and re-writing. But you won’t work alone. You will have a supervisory team of expert academics and practitioners who will guide your research.
Upon registration, you will be allocated a supervisory team with a strong subject specialism and a proven track record of guiding students to completion.
While we cannot guarantee a specific supervisor, you can explore our list of current staff to see the key areas of research covered at the RCA. If you find a supervisor whose work aligns with your proposal, we encourage you to attend an Open Event to discuss options.
Doctoral Training Weeks
All students are required to attend our Doctoral Training Weeks every term. These intensive sessions are a great opportunity to participate in the wider RCA research community, receive timely training to support your progression, and develop a portfolio of experience for your future career.
We offer regular opportunities to research degree candidates to connect, share ideas and engage with the research community through Doctoral Fridays sessions, regular Doctoral social events, competitions and awards.
You'll gain professional development skills in writing, publishing, creating impact and presenting your research to your peers and staff.
Build your portfolio
We're here to ensure you have the skills and knowledge you need to not only excel in your studies but also thrive in your future career.
At the RCA, our research students receive extensive training both at a cross-College level and within their Schools and Research Centres. This rich, robust preparation will not only support you through your research degree but will also help you build a valuable portfolio of experience for your future career.
Research Biennale
Our Research Biennale, held every alternate February, offers a showcase of research to internal and external partners and the wider public.
The Biennale includes space for testing and experimenting with public-facing aspects of research, as well as extending and challenging frameworks and perceptions of what art and design research can be.
How to apply
We recommend applying as soon as possible. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received and places are limited.
See our Eligibility and key dates page for more information on our application rounds and deadlines.
Tuition fee bands
The RCA has two fee bands for MPhil/PhD students in the academic year 2025/26.
Candidates applying to commence doctoral study in autumn 2025 should indicate at the interview which mode they wish to pursue: high residency or low residency.
For more information on the different fee bands, what they entail, and frequently asked questions, visit the MPhil/PhD tuition fee bands section.
Students progressing to Postgraduate Research (PhD or MPhil) from MA, MA/MSc, MArch, MFA, MDes, MRes or MEd study at the RCA are entitled to a £1,000 fee reduction per year (£500 per year for part-time study).
For Postgraduate Research, if you change from full-time registration to part-time (or vice versa), then the fee reduction will be re-calculated and the maximum discount period will be six years (excluding authorised leave of absence).
Funding for MPhil and PhD students
Find out more about potential sources of funding to help you join the RCA’s thriving research community.
Open Events
Our Open Events are a great opportunity to find out more about research at the RCA, meet academic staff and students, and visit our facilities, workshops and studios. To find dates for our upcoming online and on-campus open days visit our Open Events page.
Not quite ready for an MPhil/PhD?
If you’re not yet ready to pursue an MPhil or PhD, you might consider our Master of Research (MRes). This intensive one-year, full-time programme is designed to equip you with strong preparation for doctoral study. It will help you build confidence, refine your research skills, and leave with a clearer sense of your future direction - whether that means progressing to PhD study, moving into professional roles in industry, or exploring other paths. The MRes can also open up valuable opportunities for career development.
Staff
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