Eligibility and key dates

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

You also need to meet English language requirements.

Graduate Diploma Art & Design

If you feel you are not quite prepared to apply for an Master's prorgamme, 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 Master's 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 for the January 2026 intake are now open. The application deadline is 5 December 2025 at 12 noon (BST). Find out how to apply

Sign up for our upcoming online and on-campus events.

January 2026 entry

We offer a January 2026 start for some Master's degrees and all Research degrees. See the full list of programmes with a January start.

Applications open: 20 October 2025
Final deadline: 5 December 2025, 12 noon (UK time)

We are offering a 6-week online English language course to support those applicants who need to improve the English before starting their Master’s. This course starts on 10 November, so if you need to improve your English, we encourage you to apply for your January-start Master’s programme as soon as possible.  

September 2026 entry

Applications for Master’s, MPhil and PhD programmes for September 2026 will open on 27 October 2025. If you are considering applying to start in September 2026, you can register your interest for updates on admissions dates, application advice and events.

Many of our scholarships are awarded in the earlier rounds of applications, so the earlier you apply, the more chance you have of receiving a scholarship.

Round 1

Applications open: Monday 27 October 2025 

Final deadline: Monday 19 Jan 2026, 12 noon (UK time)

Notification of outcome: from 23 November – 7 February 2026

Round 2

Applications open: Tuesday 20 January 2026

Final deadline: Tuesday 17 March 2026, 12 noon (UK time)

Notification of outcome: from 20 February – 24 April 2026

Round 3

Open: Wednesday 18 March 2026

Deadline: Wednesday 3 June 2026, 12 noon (UK time)

Notification of outcome: by 30 June 2026

If you receive an offer, you must accept your offer and pay your deposit within three weeks to secure your place.

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will need to demonstrate that you have a reasonable knowledge of the English language to study at the RCA. Offer holders must upload English language certification by Friday 26 June 2026. See English Language Requirements for more information.