Eligibility and key dates

The RCA welcomes applications from talented, creative individuals from all over the world. Many are from backgrounds you might expect such as art, design, architecture, communications, media and humanities. Others come from disciplines as broad as engineering, social sciences, computer science, toolmaking, medicine, business, law, physics, life coaching, economics, teaching, music... the list is endless.

What RCA students share is the potential, commitment and ambition to make change in the world through art and design.

Applications for September 2022 entry have now closed, but are open for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design intake in January 2023.

You'll need to fulfil specific academic criteria in order to apply for our programmes. Our programme pages explain the requirements for each programme.

Graduate Diploma Art & Design

If you feel you are not quite prepared to apply for an MA or MRes, we invite you to apply for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design pre-Master’s programme. Applicants come from an variety of backgrounds and disciplines and all applications are evaluated on their individual merits.

Taught Master's

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, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high MA/MRes standards overall.

Postgraduate research

Our MPhil and PhD programmes welcome applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds.

In addition to the RCA’s minimum requirements, students who need a Student Visa for their studies at the RCA will need to show that they have met Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance. Further information can be found here.

Applications for September 2022 entry have now closed, but are open for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design intake in January 2023.

We'll be opening applications and announcing key dates for programmes beginning September 2023 shortly.

In the meantime, complete our Enquire to study form and we'll be in touch with information about your preferred programme(s), and updates to the application process.

The RCA receives over 10,000 applications each year, so we encourage you to complete your application as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing an offer of study.