Overview
Take your education career to the next level
Key details
- 180 credits
- 1 year programme
- Full-time study
School or Centre
Next open day
- 24 Mar 2023
- Book or view all open days
Application deadline
- Still accepting applications
Career opportunities
- MRes RCA supports the development of research careers in academia and industry-based research groups. All students develop an individual research project, which prepares graduates for further studies at PhD level or careers within an emerging field of practice-led and practice-based research.
An interdisciplinary research MRes by practice or thesis across art and design
The MRes RCA is a dynamic, interdisciplinary degree that fosters innovative thinking and equips students for PhD-level study or professional industry research roles. By teaching processes and methods that are informed by art and design thinking, you will be introduced to and develop practice-led and experimental research skills.
The MRes curriculum offers a transformational experience and gives you the opportunity to construct your own area of expertise. It offers vibrant, rigorous and experimental research training in a broad array of research methods, allowing students to innovate and interrogate their disciplines by learning from methods across art and design practice.
Specialisms
The MRes RCA is interdisciplinary in nature, however at application you will elect a specialism. This specialism will be your central discipline and you will be assigned a related expert supervisor for closer supervision of your research project.
- Architecture
- Communication
- Design
- Fine Art
- Experimental Humanities
Still accepting applications for 2023 entry. See the Eligibility and key dates webpage for round 3 details.
Explore further
Visit the RCA Student Research Platform to explore an archive and showcase of student research at the RCA.
Gallery
Facilities
The RCA has campuses at Kensington, Battersea and White City.
View all College-wide facilitiesOur studios encourage collaborative working, thought, awareness and action. In addition, you have access to craft and technical workshop areas and excellent technical support in the College.
Alumni stories
More details on what you'll study
Find out what you'll cover int his programme
What you'll cover
How will I learn?
Students develop a creative and critically engaged individual research project, whether thesis-based or practice-based. We have a strong emphasis on experimental research, preparing graduates for diverse careers in academia, art and design industry and cultural institutions. We offer a range of specialisms for closer supervision of research projects across the disciplines of architecture, communication, design, fine art and experimental humanities, focusing on the interface of research and practice. We believe interdisciplinary, collaborative learning and dialogue allows us to see and think about our own disciplines from new perspectives, fostering originality and innovation within the field.
Requirements
What you need to know before you apply
This programme is open to a wide range of applicants, including graduates of the RCA or other MA programmes from the UK or around the globe, mid-career artists and designers seeking to further their education and practice, and career-changers who wish to bring their knowledge into the context of art and design research. The MRes award will also appeal to those in, or working towards, an academic career in a range of contexts.
Fees & funding
For this programme
Fees for new students
Fees for September 2023 entry on this programme are outlined below. From 2021 onward, EU students are classified as Overseas for tuition fee purposes.
Home
Overseas and EU
Deposit
New entrants to the College will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to secure their place. This will be offset against the tuition fees.
Home
Overseas and EU
Progression discount
For alumni and students who have completed an RCA Graduate Diploma and progress onto an RCA Master's programme – MA, MA/MSc, MFA, MDes, MArch, MEd or MRes – within 10 years, a progression discount of £1,000 is available.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The RCA wants our programmes to be open to all talented students, from all backgrounds.
The RCA Career Progression Bursary
The RCA Career Progression Bursary supports UK mid-career applicants with no prior connection to the RCA applying with a partial fee bursary
Value: Bursaries of £3,500 each, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Part-time students will receive the fee discount pro-rata over their two years of study.
Funding category: Mid-career applicants, with preference for those over 50; returning after a career break; career changes; parents returning to work after parental leave; applicants with a disability.
Eligible fee status: Home students, full or part time
Some of our Scholarships are programme-specific, while others focus on ensuring people from a diverse range of backgrounds have the financial support they might need to study at the RCA.
Start your application
Change your life and be here in 2023. Applications now open.
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 and key dates
More information about eligibility and key datesCheck you have all the information you need to apply.
Read our application process guideConsider attending an Open Day, or one of our portfolio or application advice sessions
See upcoming sessionsPlease note, all applications must be submitted by 12 noon on the given deadline.
Ask a question
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.
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