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.

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.

Graduate Diploma

Applications are currently open for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design intake in January 2025. The application deadline is 6 December 2024 at 12 noon (GMT).

MA, MSc, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes

Applications will open in October for September 2025 entry. Register your interest to be the first to know when applications open.

MPhil and PhD

Applications will open in October for September 2025 entry. Register your interest to be the first to know when applications open.

• Applicants are only permitted to register once in the application portal. Creating multiple accounts may result in the rejection of all applications submitted by that applicant.
• An applicant may not apply for the same programme more than once in the 2025 admissions year.
• Applicants can apply for a maximum of two (2) different programmes in the 2025 admissions year. A separate portfolio submission is required for each programme applied for. If your application is unsuccessful the College may refer your application to another suitable programme for consideration.

Therefore, if you wish to apply for more than one programme, please ensure that you carefully consider which two programmes you wish to apply for.

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.

You can find details of future term dates, holidays and College opening hours at Teaching dates & College hours.