Getting started at the RCA

Once you are enrolled, our programme staff will be in touch by email during the summer to let you know more about any pre-arrival tasks and reading lists.

Some access and information will be dependent on you being enrolled, so please enroll as soon as you can.

We will also send you details via email on how to access Moodle – our centralised platform for everything you’ll need during your time at the RCA. Moodle will help you with College-wide information, such as accessing student support and RCA services.

As you wait to begin your studies, you will also be able to access our Orientation Course – Your RCA Journey – a ‘one-stop shop’ for the information you will need to get going at the RCA. This will be delivered via Moodle and you will be able to access this once you are enrolled.

Further communication will be sent to you ahead of the start of term to confirm how to access your timetable including dates, times and locations for introduction sessions.

The start of term will be from 7 September 2026.

Once you have accepted your offer, paid your deposit and submitted the required documents, we will issue you with your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Please visit our Student visa webpage for detailed guidance on preparing and submitting your visa application. Allow three months from the start date of your programme enough time to gather your documents and complete the application process. Preparing your visa application documents can take time. We recommend reviewing the process and preparing any evidence needed while waiting for your CAS to be issued.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) standard processing time for students is three weeks but can be extended during busy periods. Please note the visa processing time for your visa application starts when you:

• verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app;

OR:

• complete your biometrics information at the visa application centre and not when you submit your online application.

The UKVI will not be able to provide you with information on the status of your application if it is still within the processing time. However, they may contact you if more information is needed for your application.

When your visa has been granted you’ll get an email to let you know that a decision has been made on your application, along with instructions on creating a UKVI account.

Creating a UKVI account will allow you to view your e-Visa and demonstrate your immigration status in the UK which will be a Digital Visa Status ( eVisa).

Once you can access your eVisa, you should immediately review the details for any errors. It is important to check your eVisa to ensure that all the information is correct, including your personal details and the conditions attached to your eVisa. These include:

• the start or end date of your visa:
  • If your course is 12 months or longer, you will be granted:
    • Visa start date: up to one month before course start date
    • Visa end date: four months after the course end date
  • If your course is six months or longer but shorter than 12 months:
    • Visa start date: up to one month before the course start date
    • Visa end date: two months after the course end date
• your work conditions:
  • Full-Time Students:
    • 20 hours per week during term-time (full- time employment permitted outside of term-time)
  • All other types of study, including part-time:
    • No employment permitted
• correct sponsor licence number:
  • The RCA sponsor licence number is ND3M93PT0

As a visa holder, it is your responsibility to report any errors as soon as you are aware of them. If you are unsure if your visa is correct, please contact [email protected].

You can also use your UKVI account to update any details, like your contact information or any new travel documents.

You should keep your boarding pass and flight details as proof of your entry date into the UK. You must provide these along with your passport and sharecode when confirming your Right to Study during the pre-enrolment process.

Please keep in mind that you cannot change from a Standard Visit visa to a Student Visa while still in the UK.

You will need to collect your RCA ID card from campus. Information on how to collect your ID card will be shared with you in advance of your first week on campus.

For the 2026/27 academic year, you'll be able to collect your RCA ID card from the Hangar on our Battersea Campus. Each programme has a designated collection date and time. Your ID card collection time can also be found in your programme timetable on Celcat. Please follow the link below to find detailed instructions on how to collect your ID card.

Once you are fully enrolled, your programme will email you details of any programme welcome activities around starting your course.

Find out what to expect as a new student, including onboarding webinars, Welcome Week events, and how we’ll support you on your creative journey. Your Programme team will also contact you directly with details of your timetable. See our Welcome to the RCA page to find out more.

The RCA has three campuses in central London based in Kensington, White City and Battersea.*

• You will be based in one campus alongside your programme, but you are welcome to travel between campuses and enjoy the shared spaces and cafes.
• You will have access to all three campuses during term time opening hours.
• A free shuttle bus service connects our campuses.

You can find the locations of our programmes and campuses in 2026/27 here.

* Please note, the campus on which a programme is based can be subject to change.

The RCA is home to a number of state-of-the-art specialised studios and workshops which you will be able to access during your programme.

When you join the RCA, you will gain access to various resources, including Technical Services, the RCA Library, Intranet and Moodle.

Technical Services at the RCA offer specialised support, facilities, and resources to empower students in achieving their creative and academic potential.

Our team of expert technicians, along with state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated spaces, are available across the College. Depending on your enrolled programme, you will have access to tailored technical orientations, primers, and inductions designed to enhance your learning experience. These sessions, which may be conducted in person or online, will be detailed in your timetable.

For students with specific technical needs outside of their scheduled programme activities, additional support is available through our virtual learning platform. This platform enables you to access technical orientations, book equipment and consultations, and take control of your own technical learning journey.

Dedicated Technical Resources

We provide a wide range of specialist resources, including:

• Digital Making
• Making
• Printmaking
• XR & Creative Coding
• Fashion & Textiles
• Future Materials
• Computing & Technology
• Applied Arts
• Media
• Open Access Services
• In addition to specialist support, Technical Services offer a variety of open-access resources, including:
  - Digital Print Labs
  - Computer and Technology Zones
  - Media Resource Stores
  - College Shops

Whether you need support for a specific project, or guidance from our technical experts, our services are designed to help you succeed.

Once you are fully enrolled you will automatically become a member of the RCA Library and can borrow books and access our online resources.

You will receive an introduction to Library services as part of the welcome events in your first week and a full induction as part of your programme teaching in the first term.

You will also be able to book to access our special collections, including the Colour Reference Library, one of the largest collections of printed books on colour in the world.

The Library is located in the Frayling building at the Kensington campus and is open:

• Monday–Friday 9am – 9pm
• Saturday 10am – 5pm during term time (except August: Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, closed Saturday and Sunday).

In addition, we have the Monday Charity Library reading room space in the Studio Building at the Battersea campus.

RCA Library Search is the Library catalogue and is an excellent starting point for finding a large proportion of what you will have access to, once you are enrolled. It covers a wide range of disciplines, and includes printed books, ebooks, audiobooks, journal articles and more.

Intranet

The intranet will be your go to site for the latest up-to-date information about the College and its students, staff and alumni. You will also find news and events here including opportunities to get involved with prizes, exhibitions, and community projects.

Moodle

Moodle is where you will go to find out information specific to your programme and School as well as resources and technical services. You can see your calendar, book into workshops and courses and access staff from departments such as the Student Success team, the Library and Academic Skills.

Where the intranet provides information at a College-wide level, Moodle is specific to your particular needs. Here you can see what your calendar looks like for the next week, book into do some screen printing or speak to the Student Success team regarding access needs.

Student Centre

At the RCA we are committed to building a sense of belonging, pride and community within our student body by putting students at the heart of everything we do. Our Student Centre is located in the Stevens Building on our Kensington campus.

The Student Centre is open from 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday during term time. There are also bookable appointments with the Student Success team across all our campuses as well as online. There are events run by our Student Success team on all campuses.

The Student Centre is your first point of contact for help and questions relating to course and registry enquiries, student support and international student support, fees, student finance enquiries and financial support, mental health and wellbeing support, student/bank letters, IT enquiries,ID cards, estates issues, and wayfinding to help you navigate the RCA.

.The Student Centre can help you with a range of administrative tasks, as well as providing you with advice and guidance to support your studies.

If we can't solve your query, we can get you to the team or colleague who can.

Student Success team

Our Student Success team offers advice, information, and support to all RCA students and offer-holders. You can find out about the range of confidential support available here.

Support for international students

International students have access to support from the College which covers everything from immigration advice and pre-arrival information. You can find this information here.

Support for disabled students

At the RCA, we are committed to celebrating diversity and supporting and helping all our students reach their full potential.

Comprehensive support exists for disabled students. You can find information on how to disclose a disability at the RCA below. You can find more information about the RCA and government-funded disability support on the disability support page.

The Student Success team will contact all disabled offer holders from April onwards with an invitation to discuss support requirements.

At the College, we champion an environment of mutual respect, where inclusion is valued and respected, and where innovation, creativity and diversity can flourish.

Our Student Charter is our commitment between the members of our community (students, staff and visitors) and is underpinned by the RCA values which provide a framework for the way we work and operate together.

It’s important to look after your health while studying. We have partnered with Imperial College Health Centre (ICHC) to offer students NHS primary care services.

Once you are fully enrolled, and in the UK, you can register with the health centre using this quick online registration form.

Imperial College Health Centre is within a short walkable distance from our Kensington campus.

The practice provides a comprehensive, holistic, student-focused service, covering a range of health services delivered by a multidisciplinary team. An in-house psychology service is available too. Consultations can be face-to-face, via telephone, video and online to suit the needs of students.

See also our section on healthcare on our Before you arrive in the UK page.