Global Innovation Design
MA/MSc
Overview
An international design experience
Key details
- 240 credits
- 2 year programme
- Full-time study
Creative catalysts designing innovation-led solutions for social change.
GID offers an international style of learning and a unique and cultural context. Our vision is to provide you with an experience that is unparalleled in the world, nurturing you to be a design leader and creative catalyst who delivers positive social, environmental, economic and cultural change.
We revolve around leading international centres of innovation which collectively offer students a unique educational mix characterised by multidisciplinary intakes, shared values, complementary approaches and distinct expertise. We foster innovation that provides practical solutions to real-world issues, and our project themes in each location reflect local design culture, commercial interests and social challenges.
Visit 2020.rca.ac.uk to view graduate work from the class of 2020
Gallery
Staff
Facilities
The School of Design is based at our historic Kensington site.
View all facilitiesStudents have access to the College’s workshops, with traditional facilities for woodworking, metalworking, plastics and resins, including bookable bench spaces. Computer-driven subtractive milling equipment is available, as well as additive rapid prototyping.
More details on what you'll study.
Find out what you'll cover in this programme.
What you'll cover
First and second terms
- Applied Engineering Design, co-ordinated by Imperial College (20 credits)
- Global Innovation Design Theory & Methodology, co-ordinated by Imperial College (20 credits)
- Global Identity Development, co-ordinated by the RCA and Imperial College (40 credits)
- School-wide platform and project
Third and fourth terms
Taught units by the International Partners, including: GID1 Partner Residency, a one-term residency with either Keio University in Tokyo or Tsinghua University in Beijing during the summer term of your first academic year.
GID2 Partner Residency, a one-term residency with either Pratt Institute in New York or Nanyang Technological University in Singapore during the autumn term of your second academic year.
Fifth and sixth terms
Major Projects, co-ordinated by the RCA and Imperial College (60 credits each)
This is the main unit for GID2 Professional Development, a two-term period directed toward refinement of the body of work and professional development.
During the final two terms, you’ll return to London to refine your final project.
The course culminates in a final examination and an exhibition.
Critical & Historical Studies (CHS)
All studio-based MA students follow a weekly schedule of Critical & Historical Studies (CHS), a College-wide initiative that provides you with the intellectual framework to build a coherent relationship between theory and practice.
CHS delivers exciting, thought-provoking and inspiring lectures by experts within the programme and high-profile visiting lecturers. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the theoretical background and aspects of your chosen discipline through a tutored dissertation process, as well as receiving individual tutorial support from our team of expert tutors.
Requirements
What you need to know before you apply
Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high MA standards overall.
To apply to Global Innovation Design you’ll normally need to have at least a UK honours degree at 2:1 level (or the equivalent) in any subject relevant to innovation, and it’s desirable to have some relevant work experience. In exceptional circumstances we will consider applicants without this degree qualification (for example, excellent professional experience or outstanding creative or technical abilities).
What's needed from you
Portfolio requirements
Your portfolio is a showcase of your work as an artist or designer and can be made up of images, videos or writing examples. Your portfolio helps us to better understand your application and allows you to show evidence of your ability and motivation to undertake a given programme.
Generally, we’re looking for you to demonstrate your:
- Creativity, imagination and innovation
- Ability to articulate the intentions of the work
- Intellectual engagement in areas relevant to the work
- Technical skills appropriate to the work
- Potential to benefit from the programme
Each programme is looking for different things in a portfolio. Each Head of Programme provides specific advice on portfolio requirements in the online application system. We advise you to consider these requirements carefully before submitting your application.
English-language requirements
If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE).
You are exempt from this requirement if you have received a 2.1 degree or above from a university in a majority English-speaking nation within the last two years.
If you need a Tier 4 visa to study at the RCA, you will also need to meet the Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance.
Fees & funding
For this programme
Fees for new students
You'll find tuition fees for 2020/21 entry below. Please note that second year fees are estimates based on figures supplied by Imperial College and include an assumed inflationary uplift. The exact second year fee will be confirmed by Imperial College in the June preceding the start of the second year.
Home and EU
Overseas
Deposit
New entrants to the College for MA, MRes, MPhil and PhD degrees will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to secure their place. This will be offset against the tuition fees for the first year of study.
* GID fees include a £2,000 supplement due to the higher cost of delivering the programme.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded for a specific programme and entry point and cannot be deferred without consent from the academic Programme and scholarships panel.
More information
External funding
There are many funding sources, with some students securing scholarships and others saving money from working. It is impossible to list all the potential funding sources; however, the following information could be useful.
Payments
Tuition fees are due on the first day of the academic year and students are sent an invoice prior to beginning their studies. Payments can be made in advance, on registration or in two instalments.
MA/MSc fees
Students on this programme pay the tuition fees direct to the RCA. In addition to the standard RCA postgraduate masters fee this programme is subject to a supplementary fee (£2,000 per annum) because of the higher costs involved in delivering a programme in three countries.
In addition to the tuition fee, students will need to cover other non-academic costs such as flights, visas, accommodation, insurance and general living expenses.
Start your application
Change your life and be here in 2020
The Royal College of Art welcomes applicants from all over the world.
Before you begin
Make sure you've read and understood the entrance requirements
More information about entrance requirementsCheck you have all the information you need to apply.
Read our application process guideAsk a question
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.
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