Staying safe from admissions and enrolment scams
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At the Royal College of Art, we are committed to a fair and transparent admissions process. We have recently become aware of unauthorised agents targeting international students with false promises. Please be aware of the following facts regarding our application and enrollment procedures.
Common scams
We are aware of several false claims currently being circulated by agents and advisors. Please note the following.
EAP Pre-Sessional courses capacity
Some agents claim that English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Pre-Sessional courses are "almost full" but that they can "secure" you a place. This is false. No agent has the power to bypass our standard capacity limits or offer preferential access to any course.
We have four more EAP Pre-Sessional courses running during the Summer (two 10-week courses and two 6 week courses): please see all dates, courses and language entry requirements on the English for Academic Purposes page.
There are currently still places available on all our upcoming EAP Pre-Sessional courses. To apply for one of the EAP courses, you must hold an offer to study at the College, and you must meet the language requirements for the EAP Pre-Sessional course. You should complete the Book now form available via the Offer Holder Hub. You can find it under English language requirements.
Deferrals
Agents cannot "help" you defer your place. All deferral requests must be made through official College channels and are subject to the RCA’s formal policies.
If you've received an offer and have paid your deposit, you can request to defer your place for one academic year by emailing [email protected].
See our Deferral Policy (PDF) for more detail.
Language scores
Be wary of anyone claiming they can "argue" your English language scores if you do not meet the requirements. Our academic standards are firm, and we do not negotiate entry grades through third parties.
You can find specific English language requirements on individual programme pages, and further information on our English Language Requirements page.
Appealing rejections
If an application is unsuccessful, an agent cannot "argue your case" to get you a place. Every applicant is assessed equally on their creative merit and academic potential.
To appeal a rejection, you must email the Registrar within 28 days of receiving a rejection notice, clearly stating your reasons and providing any supporting evidence.
You can appeal a rejected application only if you believe the College failed to consider mitigating circumstances, made a clerical mistake, or breached its own policy.
You cannot appeal against the College’s academic judgement. See the Admissions Policy (PDF) for more details.
Important
- The RCA does not currently ask you to pay to submit an application. You will only ever be asked to pay a deposit once you have been offered a place.
- Any payments, including deposits, tuition fees and EAP course fees, should be made directly to the RCA, and never to anyone else.
- We do not support the use of "portfolio agencies." Your work must be your own. Should you be found to have not submitted your own work during the process, your place will be withdrawn – even if you are already at the College.
- You may be contacted by the RCA in these ways:
- Email: ending rca.ac.uk
- Phone: number starting +44 (0)20 7590 xxxx
- WhatsApp: +44 (0)7830 307 122.
International agents
For more information on international agents, see the RCA and international agents page.
Need help with your application?
The best advice is available for free via our Online events and Portfolio Advice Sessions pages.
If you have any questions about an agent, please contact us at [email protected].
