Sculpture
MA
Overview
Object-making, public art and social practices
Key details
- 240 credits
- 2 year programme
- Full-time study
A critical environment in which to discuss contemporary issues for making sculpture.
The study of sculpture is ever-expanding and includes object-making, public art and social practices, site and space, performance, sound, film and video. Rather than only considering the specific manifestations of sculpture, we prefer to think of it as a methodology from which to progress the production of art.
The Sculpture programme provides a structure that incorporates both individual and group tutorials, as well as seminars, a dedicated lecture programme and the opportunity to take part in external projects. Critical reviews of your work will be conducted consistently throughout the year, and we invite external visitors to contribute to these discussions when they become School-wide.
Gallery
Staff
Dr Jaspar Joseph-Lester
Head of Programme
Jaspar’s work explores the role images play in urban planning, social space and everyday praxis; latterly he has focused on conflicting ideological frameworks as embodied in urban regeneration projects.
View full profileFacilities
The School of Arts & Humanities is located across our Battersea and Kensington sites.
View all facilitiesAll full-time students on fine or applied arts programmes are provided with studio and workshop space. There are a number of bookable seminar and project spaces across the site available to all Arts & Humanities students.
Our alumni
Our alumni form an international network of creative individuals who have shaped and continue to shape the world.
- Lina Lapelyte
- Holly Hendry
- Tianyou Huang
- Hannah Rowan
- Paloma Proudfoot
- Marco Miehling
Curriculum
More details on what you'll study.
Find out what you'll cover in this programme.
What you'll cover
First year
In your first year of study, you’ll undertake three units of study, each worth 40 credits and assessed through a combination of continuous and summative methods.
To support your progress you will be assigned a personal tutor with whom you’ll discuss your work in five tutorials per academic year. You’re also guaranteed tutorials from other members of the programme team each term, and you’ll have the opportunity to request tutorials from other staff from the School, as well as from across the College.
Your autumn term will focus on engendering social cohesiveness, respect and collaboration among your peers, and sharing of expertise and experience. Within your first few weeks you will have been given a studio space and become acquainted with our staff.
As a first-year student, you’ll contribute to the Work-in-progress Show, held at the beginning of the spring term. Your work isn’t expected to be resolved at this stage, but it’s an opportunity to take risks in how you engage with a public environment. Following this, you’ll be encouraged to take part in seminars, talks, walks and gallery/museum visits that reinforcing our teaching.
Second year
During your second year of the programme you’ll undertake three units of study: Unit 2A (40 credits), Unit 2B (60 Credits) and the School of Arts & Humanities School Unit (20 Credits). These are assessed through a combination of continuous and summative assessment methods.
In the autumn term, you’ll continue to work with a personal tutor who will help direct your progress through Unit 2A. You’ll also participate in first term activities (seminars, panel discussions, tutorials), with an eye towards pushing the development of your studio practice. This will be supported by tutorials and crits from programme staff and visiting lecturers.
In the spring and summer terms, while experimentation continues to be encouraged, work also becomes much more concentrated on production for the final show as part of the assessment of Unit 2B – the independent research project.This consists of a major project that should demonstrate how you are able to research, develop and realise an artwork to Master’s level. Your work should have a clear direction and resolution, which is thoroughly researched through your own initiative.
Alongside your participation in programme-based units, you’ll also participate in the School of Arts & Humanities School unit, which, through study groups, lectures, symposia, crits and tutorials, will support you in discussing and evolving your work against a broader frame of reference.
Critical & Historical Studies (CHS)
All studio-based MA students follow a weekly schedule of Critical & Historical Studies (CHS), a College-wide initiative that provides you with the intellectual framework to build a coherent relationship between theory and practice.
CHS delivers exciting, thought-provoking and inspiring lectures by experts within the programme and high-profile visiting lecturers. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the theoretical background and aspects of your chosen discipline through a tutored dissertation process, as well as receiving individual tutorial support from our team of expert tutors.
Requirements
What you need to know before you apply
Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high MA standards overall.
You must have a good first degree in sculpture or a relevant subject, as well as being able to display a facility with materials and techniques. You’ll also be knowledgeable about the history and cultural relevance of the disciplines pertinent to the arts and humanities, as well as be able to hold and articulate a view of your own work in relationship to that. You should be able to critically reflect on your work, to question received modes of production and frameworks, and metabolise academic, social and philosophical encounters.
What's needed from you
Portfolio requirements
Your portfolio is a showcase of your work as an artist or designer and can be made up of images, videos or writing examples. Your portfolio helps us to better understand your application and allows you to show evidence of your ability and motivation to undertake a given programme.
Generally, we’re looking for you to demonstrate your:
- Creativity, imagination and innovation
- Ability to articulate the intentions of the work
- Intellectual engagement in areas relevant to the work
- Technical skills appropriate to the work
- Potential to benefit from the programme
Each programme is looking for different things in a portfolio. Each Head of Programme provides specific advice on portfolio requirements in the online application system. We advise you to consider these requirements carefully before submitting your application.
English-language requirements
If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with a 6.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE). Students achieving a grade of at least 6.0, with a grade of 5.5 in the Test of Written English, may be eligible to take the College’s English for Academic Purposes course to enable them to reach the required standard.
You are exempt from this requirement if you have received a 2.1 degree or above from a university in a majority English-speaking nation within the last two years.
If you need a Tier 4 visa to study at the RCA, you will also need to meet the Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance.
Fees & funding
For this programme
Fees for new students
You'll find tuition fees for 2020/21 entry below.
Home and EU
Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Overseas
Deposit
New entrants to the College for MA, MRes, MPhil and PhD degrees will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to secure their place. This will be offset against the tuition fees for the first year of study.
Home and EU
Overseas
* Total cost is based on the assumption that the programme is completed in the timeframe stated in the programme details. Additional study time may incur additional charges.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded for a specific programme and entry point and cannot be deferred without consent from the academic Programme and scholarships panel.
More information
External funding
There are many funding sources, with some students securing scholarships and others saving money from working. It is impossible to list all the potential funding sources; however, the following information could be useful.
Payments
Tuition fees are due on the first day of the academic year and students are sent an invoice prior to beginning their studies. Payments can be made in advance, on registration or in two instalments.
Start your application
Change your life and be here in 2020
The Royal College of Art welcomes applicants from all over the world.
Before you begin
Make sure you've read and understood the entrance requirements
Visit the requirements pageCheck you have all the information you need to apply.
Read our application process guideAsk a question
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.
[email protected]
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