Key details
Date
- 6 November 2024
Read time
- 2 minutes
Welcome to the World's No.1 Art and Design University.*
Build cultural experiences and enhance your practice with a master's degree in applied and fine arts. Work collaboratively to share knowledge and culture, test your ideas, and gain unrivalled opportunities to build networks and enhance your career, while making the most of London's cultural and creative environment.
Key details
Date
- 6 November 2024
Read time
- 2 minutes
Sign up for updates on programmes and applying
Applications for 2026 intakes will open soon.
If you are considering applying for our 2026 intakes we encourage you to register for updates so we can keep you informed of admissions dates and deadlines, programme updates and events for prospective students in the UK and around the world.
Upcoming events for prospective students
Register for online and on-campus open days, portfolio Q&A sessions, campus tours and the chance to meet the RCA globally and in the UK.
Online Open Events
MPhil/PhD Online Open Day: Thursday 25 September, 10am BST and 5pm BST
Master's Online Open Days: 29 September – 3 October 2025
Graduate Diploma, for the January 2026 intake.
- Online Open Day: Wednesday 8 October, 2pm BST
- Online Study Day: Wednesday 22 October, 2pm BST
On-campus Open Events
Graduate Diploma Art & Design: Wednesday 16 October
School of Arts & Humanities: Tuesday 28 October
Featured programmes
Ceramics & Glass MA
Animation is a dynamic visual communication paradigm. Join us to develop your creative expertise to influence how audiences see and understand the social, political and cultural animated worlds and experiences you create.
1 year programme | Full-time study
Sculpture MA
On the RCA Digital Direction MA, you’ll explore how technologies like VR, AR, AI, games engines, spatial sound and mobile platforms impact diverse storytelling practices, traditions, cultures and audiences. And you’ll look to emerging developments as you consider meaningful ways to communicate with others.
With us, you’ll learn to view the world critically, cut through hype and misinformation, and collaborate with others to experiment with how immersive and interactive storytelling can create positive and enduring change.
1 year programme | Full-time study
Print MA
On the RCA Digital Direction MA, you’ll explore how technologies like VR, AR, AI, games engines, spatial sound and mobile platforms impact diverse storytelling practices, traditions, cultures and audiences. And you’ll look to emerging developments as you consider meaningful ways to communicate with others.
With us, you’ll learn to view the world critically, cut through hype and misinformation, and collaborate with others to experiment with how immersive and interactive storytelling can create positive and enduring change.
1 year programme | Full-time study
Graduate Diploma Art & Design (Fine Art specialism)
The Graduate Diploma prepares you for Master’s study at the RCA. The Fine Art specialism supports students aspiring to master's programmes in the School of Arts & Humanities.
30 weeks | On-campus, online or dual-learning modes of study | January, May and September intakes
See full Graduate Diploma programme details
School of Arts & Humanities
The applied and fine arts programmes live in our School of Arts & Humanities. Here we bring research and study in the arts together with curating, writing and the history of design.
Find out more about the School of Arts & Humanities
Explore contemporary art student profiles
View the work of recent graduates at RCA2024 through our online Student Profiles.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Art & Design
Why choose the RCA?
Teaching and research expertise
The opportunity to learn from world-leading academic staff. We’re the only specialist art and design university where all of our permanent teaching and research staff are also research active and included in the RCA’s submissions to the UK Research Excellence Framework.
Renowned alumni
Our 28,000 alumni are leaders in their disciplines, making national and international headlines. Alumni include:
- Hoor Al Qasimi
- Hurvin Anderson RA
- Christopher Bailey CBE
- Sir Peter Blake
- Sir Frank Bowling
- Sir James Dyson OM
- Dame Tracey Emin RA
- Sir Anthony Finkelstein
- Thomas Heatherwick RDI, CBE
- Dame Barbara Hepworth
- Lubaina Himid RA CBE
- David Hockney OM
- Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq
- Asif Kapadia
- Julian MacDonald OBE
- Henry Moore OM
- Erdem Moralioglu MBE
- Morag Myerscough
- Dame Magdalene Odundo
- Chris Ofili CBE
- Bridget Riley
- Peter Schreyer
- Sir Ridley Scott
- Douglas Stewart
- Philip Treacy OBE
- Dame Zandra Rhodes
A diverse creative community
The RCA is the world’s largest postgraduate-only art and design university, representing an exciting talent base and opportunities to build your network and collaborate. An RCA student might be working in industry or the arts, a career-changer, or come straight from an undergraduate course. We typically welcome students from over 70 countries.
Interdisciplinary connections
Our College and School-wide projects, activities and challenges help our students find like-minded creatives to solve major global problems, grow their networks, or find future business partners. Find out more about AcrossRCA.
Build your career
Find out more about how the RCA can help move your career to the next level with our Graduate Careers Report.
