Overview
Inclusive, expansive, future-facing
Key details
MA
- 180 credits
- 1 year / 45 week programme
- Full-time study
School or Centre
Current location
- Battersea
Next open event
- 29 Sep 2026
- Online Open Day
Next application deadline
- Applications closed, please check back soon
Interrogate the meanings, forms and futures of painting in the contemporary world
At the RCA, we take an inclusive and expansive approach to painting, both as a material practice and a way of thinking.
We support you to address painting as a reflexive and critical activity that draws on a rich breadth of historical, material and conceptual resources, and which is continually evolving. We encourage critical engagement with global histories of painting alongside today’s diverse transnational and intercultural contexts.
You will benefit from studying on a world-renowned postgraduate programme dedicated to painting, enabling an intensive and focused learning experience.
Our team of accomplished and world-leading teaching staff and guest artists and lecturers provide a breadth of professional and theoretical perspectives on contemporary painting. Through individual tutorials, group critiques, seminars and lectures, and informed by the perspectives of your peers, faculty and invited contributors, you will refine your ability to reflect critically on your work and its meaning in the world.
The programme is committed to supporting your artistic and professional practice, and enabling you to flourish as independent artists, researchers and thinkers.
Explore further and register your interest
Catch the replays from our latest online Open Day.
Watch portfolio advice from the programme team.
Applications for the September 2026 intake are now closed. To stay updated on application dates and updates for 2027 entry, please complete the Register your Interest form.
Student and alumni stories
Gallery
Staff
Facilities
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 studios or workspace, and access to specialist workshops. 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. Click on each name to find out more.
Where will the RCA take you?- Hurvin Anderson
- Frank Bowling
- Gillian Carnegie
- Lu Chao
- Monster Chetwynd
- Jake and Dinos Chapman
- Dexter Dalwood
- Tracey Emin
- Jade Fadojutimi
- Emma Fineman
- Anthea Hamilton
- David Hockney
- Suki Seokyeong Kang
- Katy Moran
- Ryan Mosley
- Oscar Murillo
- Chris Ofili
- Bridget Riley
- Shaquelle Whyte
- George Shaw
- Georg Wilson
- Zadie Xa
- Vivien Zhang
More details on what you'll study.
Find out what you'll cover in this programme.
What you'll cover
Programme structure
Term 1
Positioning Painting (45 credits)
In this foundational unit, you will develop your understanding of what informs the motivations, subject, concepts, form and execution of your work, and establish the research that drives it.
The unit emphasises critical reflection as essential to your development. Teaching will support you to rigorously examine your work, question your existing ways of working, and embrace experimentation. These processes will help you to establish the orientation and trajectory of your practice, and position it in relationship to critical, historical and theoretical contexts of painting.
Term 2
Painting in Focus (30 credits)
Building on your work in term 1, you will continue to question and develop your practice. You will consolidate and focus on areas of inquiry and material processes to produce work at an advanced level. This will involve developing the articulation of your research and engaging in verbal presentations about your work. Whereas in Unit 1 the emphasis is on exploring, experimenting and expanding your approaches to painting, in this unit, we support you to deepen and focus your research and your approach to your practice
Term 3
Independent Research Project - IRP (60 credits)
You will produce a resolved body of work that addresses the key ambitions of your practice.
The emphasis is on supporting you to consolidate your independent research, critical thinking and understanding of your practice and its contemporary contexts. You will work towards presenting your work in the public exhibition, and on developing a sustainable practice beyond the institutional frame.
This MA is delivered over 45 weeks.
Questions of Painting lecture series
The programme's lecture series, Questions of Painting, runs through the year.
Recent speakers (2024–26) have included:
- Mohammed Sami
- Lubaina Himid
- Matthew Krishanau
- Tala Madani
- Professor James Elkins
- Professor Esther Leslie
- Andrew Cranston
- Leiko Ikemura
- Zadie Xa
- Anthea Hamilton
- Al-An de Souza
- Christopher Le Brun
- Sandra Gamarra Heshiki
- Alison Katz
- Gavin Jantjes
- Glen Brown
- Ding Yi
Professional Practice seminars
In addition to our curriculum, we host a series of professional practice seminars titled Resilient Futures, which offers focused sessions on key topics designed to support students into their post-graduation journeys.
Our 2025/6 series included:
- working with galleries
- art law
- embarking on a PhD
- writing and publishing
- preparing funding applications
Painting collaborates with a breadth of external organisations, including:
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 will consider creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, and your potential to benefit from the programme to achieve high MA standards. We are looking for candidates who are highly motivated, independent and can demonstrate they have the critical skills necessary to advance their practice in a rigorous and challenging environment.
Typically, our students will have a good BA (undergraduate) fine art degree, however we welcome applications from candidates with other backgrounds. In recent years, students have come from fine art, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photo media, conservation, illustration, design, textiles, architecture, art history and interactive arts courses. While many students enter the course after a period of independent work, we also accept students directly from undergraduate courses.
What's needed from you
Portfolio requirements
You have one slot which can accept one PDF file. From this we hope to understand:
- How you approach the conception and making of your work
- How you position your work in a contemporary context
- What are the key issues, concerns and themes that you explore in your work
The portfolio should include a ‘portfolio statement’ about your work (maximum 200 words) that addresses the above points, and documentation of your work. (Please note this statement is separate to the ‘statement of intent’ that all applicants submit within the online portal.)
Include at least 10–15 images of your work, with a maximum of 15 pages total. You should focus on finished work, but you may also show working processes. Please include the title, date, dimensions, and material/media of each work. Remember, we will be viewing the document on screen, so consider your layout with this in mind. Video/media files can be embedded (no more than 2 x 1-minute clips).
We are looking at how you curate a refined, concise portfolio that best represents your practice to date. Your portfolio should express who you are as an artist and indicate your potential.
Personal statement
Please provide a 300-word written personal statement that addresses the following points:
- Introduce yourself, your interests and your motivations for applying to the Royal College of Art, and to this programme in particular.
- Briefly summarise any educational background and professional experience to date that will support your application.
- Tell us what you want to do in the future.
Video requirements
We ask that you upload a two-minute video recorded on your phone or laptop, speaking to us directly.
This two-minute video gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself to us as an artist and present a clear and concise overview of your work, expanding on the statement and images in your portfolio. Please record yourself speaking to us directly. The recording can be via your phone or laptop. High production qualities are not needed as we will be reviewing your work in your portfolio.
We are keen to learn:
- How are you beginning to define your work and painting practice?
- What feeds your practice and the choices you make about content, concept, form and execution?
- What research informs your work and practice?
- Why do you want to join the RCA Painting programme?
English-language requirements
If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic or UKVI score of 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in every component). 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 five years.
If you need a Student 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
Fees for September 2027 entry on this programme are outlined below. From 2021 onward, EU students are classified as Overseas for tuition fee purposes.
Home
Overseas and EU
Deposit
New entrants to the College will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to secure their place. This will be offset against the tuition fees. Deposits for 2027 entry will be confirmed in September 2026; 2026 deposit rates below for reference.
Home
Overseas and EU
Progression discount
For alumni who have completed an RCA Graduate Diploma and progress onto an RCA MA programme, a progression discount of £1,000 is available. For alumni progressing from an RCA Master's to another RCA Master's, a progression discount of £2,000 is available (£1,000 per year for part-time programmes).
* 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
Each year, the RCA scholarship programme supports hundreds of students. The following are examples of scholarships awarded for 2026/27, with additional awards added throughout the year.
Chelsea Arts Club Trust Zsuzsi Roboz Scholarship
Eligible programmes: Painting MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: Full fees
GREAT Scholarship
In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the RCA has announced the third year of GREAT Scholarships. For 2026/27 we are offering two scholarships to students from India and Turkey.
Eligible programmes: Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA, Creative Education MEd, Communication MFA, Master of Research RCA MRes, Design Futures MA, Arts & Humanities MFA, Design Practice MArch
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Overseas fee status
Value: £10,000 toward fees
House of Fraser Bursary
Eligible programmes: Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA), Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: £10,000 toward fees
Leathersellers' Bursary
For students using leather in their practice
Eligible programmes: Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA), Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home or overseas status
Value: £6,000 towards living costs
Leverhulme Arts Scholarship
Eligible programmes: Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: £10,000 toward living costs
Lucy Halford Bursary
For students from the EU with Overseas fee status
Eligible programmes: Painting MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Overseas fee status
Value: Full fees
RCA President & Vice-Chancellor’s International
Round 1 and 2 programme applications will be automatically assessed for one of these scholarships. If you are successful, you will be told about this at the same time as receiving your RCA programme offer.
Eligible programmes: Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA), Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA, Creative Education MEd, Communication MFA, Master of Research RCA MRes, Design Futures MA, Arts & Humanities MFA, Design Practice MArch
Other criteria: Applicants from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, USA
Eligible fee status: Overseas fee status
Value: £9,000 toward fees
RCA President & Vice-Chancellor’s UK Scholarship
Round 1 and 2 programme applications will be automatically assessed for one of these scholarships. If you are successful, you will be told about this at the same time as receiving your RCA programme offer.
Eligible programmes: Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA), Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA, Creative Education MEd, Communication MFA, Master of Research RCA MRes, Design Futures MA, Arts & Humanities MFA, Design Practice MArch
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: £5,000 toward fees
The Ali H. / Basil H. Alkazzi Scholarship Award
Students from China, France, Monaco, Portugal, Spain, UK
Eligible programmes: Painting MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home or overseas status
Value: Full fees
The Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation Scholarship
Eligible programmes: Painting MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: Full fees
The Radcliffe Trust Craft Award
Eligible programmes: Ceramics & Glass MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Sculpture MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: £5,000 towards fees
The RCA Sanctuary Scholarship
For full details please see here: www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-to-study/funding-your-studies/rca-scholarships-and-awards/the-rca-sanctuary-scholarship/
Eligible programmes: Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA, Creative Education MEd, Communication MFA, Master of Research RCA MRes, Design Futures MA, Arts & Humanities MFA, Design Practice MArch
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home or overseas status
Value: Full fees & support package up to the value of £20,000 pa (depending on the awardee’s circumstances)
The RCA UK Cost of Living Scholarship
Eligible programmes: Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA), Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA, Creative Education MEd, Communication MFA, Master of Research RCA MRes, Design Futures MA, Arts & Humanities MFA, Design Practice MArch
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: £5,000 towards living costs
The RCA UK Disabled Students’ Scholarship
For students who identify as D/deaf or disabled
Eligible programmes: Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA), Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA, Creative Education MEd, Communication MFA, Master of Research RCA MRes, Design Futures MA, Arts & Humanities MFA, Design Practice MArch
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: £6,000 towards living costs
The Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship
For students identifying as Black or Black British - Caribbean, Black or Black British - African, Other Black background, Mixed - White and Black Caribbean, Mixed - White and Black African
Eligible programmes: Architecture MArch (ARB/RIBA), Interior Design MA, Environmental Architecture & Urban Design MA, Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, V&A/RCA History of Design MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Animation MA, Digital Narrative Arts MA/MFA, Information Experience Design MA, Visual Communication MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc, Intelligent Mobility Design MA/MDes, Service Design MA, Textiles MA, Creative Education MEd, Communication MFA, Master of Research RCA MRes, Design Futures MA, Arts & Humanities MFA, Design Practice MArch
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: Full fees and maintenance
The Virgil Abloh Award
Eligible programmes: Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Service Design MA, Textiles MA
Other criteria: Students with Black African or Caribbean diaspora heritage, or mixed Black African or Caribbean diaspora heritage
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: £5,000 for living costs
The Virgil Abloh Scholarship
Eligible programmes: Ceramics & Glass MA, Contemporary Art Practice MA/MFA, Curating Contemporary Art MA, Jewellery & Metal MA, Painting MA, Photography MA, Print MA, Sculpture MA, Writing MA, Design Products MA/MDes, Fashion MA, Service Design MA, Textiles MA
Other criteria: Students with Black African or Caribbean diaspora heritage, or mixed Black African or Caribbean diaspora heritage
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: Full fees and maintenance
The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers Scholarship
Eligible programmes: Painting MA
Other criteria: None
Eligible fee status: Home fee status
Value: Full fees and maintenance
Even if you do not currently see a scholarship for which you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply to be considered for financial support.
Unless otherwise stated, you must apply in either round 1 or 2, and have received an offer of study on an RCA programme to be invited to make a scholarship application. Therefore, we strongly recommend you apply for your programme as early as possible but no later than the round 2 deadline.
More information
Additional fees
In addition to your programme fees, please be aware that you may incur other additional costs associated with your study during your time at RCA. Additional costs can include purchases and services (without limitation): costs related to the purchase of books, paints, textiles, wood, metal, plastics and/or other materials in connection with your programme, services related to the use of printing and photocopying, lasercutting, 3D printing and CNC. Costs related to attending compulsory field trips, joining student and sport societies, and your Convocation (graduation) ceremony.
If you wish to find out more about what type of additional costs you may incur while studying on your programme, please contact the Head of your Programme to discuss or ask at an online or in person Open Day.
We provide the RCASHOP online, and at our Kensington and Battersea Campuses – this is open to students and staff of the Royal College of Art only to provide paid for materials to support your studies.
We also provide support to our students who require financial assistance whilst studying, including a dedicated Materials Fund.
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.
Experience
The social media content shown here reflects past and current student activity and is provided for illustrative purposes only. Experiences on the programme may vary and are subject to change for future students.
Ask a question
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.
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