Key details
Date
- 28 October 2024
Read time
- 2 minutes
Welcome to the World’s No.1 University for Art & Design.*
Students come from across the world to the Royal College of Art in London to be part of an internationally renowned postgraduate community. Gain unrivalled opportunities to enhance your practice, build networks, solve global challenges and develop your career.
Key details
Date
- 28 October 2024
Read time
- 2 minutes
* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Art & Design
Discover our programmes
Genesis, Maria Timoshenko & Iulia Fedorova (Digital Direction MA)
The Royal College of Art offers Graduate Diploma, Master's and MPhil/PhD programmes in the arts, design, communication, architecture and the humanities. Our students also come from a broad range of backgrounds including science, technology, engineering, social sciences, business and healthcare.
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.
Online and on-campus open days
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
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 15 October
School of Arts & Humanities: Tuesday 28 October
School of Design (Battersea): Wednesday 29 October
School of Architecture: Tuesday 4 November
School of Design (Kensington): Tuesday 4 November
School of Communication: Thursday 6 November
Graduate Diploma Art & Design
The Graduate Diploma prepares you for Master’s study at the RCA. Join the January 2026 cohort and graduate in time to commence a Master's programme in September.
Sign up to receive updates on the Graduate Diploma admissions dates.
30 weeks | On-campus, online or dual-learning modes of study
RCA2025 - Graduate Show
Discover the world’s newest talent and latest innovations from our art, design, architecture, communication and design students.
RCA2025 is a series of exhibitions and events and activities, showcasing the work of graduating RCA students on selected dates between 19 June to 23 July.
Students from across the RCA will present their work before graduation at RCA2025 this summer. Join us to discover a globally engaged cohort of art and design practitioners.
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
- Sir Ridley Scott
- 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.
Life at the RCA
Where will the RCA take you?
Over 185 years our alumni have defined the industries that they have joined, created and reshaped.
Our campuses
Our sites are located in the historic capital city of London, a vibrant cultural centre with an international outlook.
Facilities
The Royal College of Art provides the infrastructure, discipline-specific tooling and support for students to master the skills for their particular aesthetic and approach.
Student support
The Student Support Team offers advice, information and support to all RCA students and offer-holders.
Scholarships & funding
The RCA is committed to celebrating diversity, eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity to all.
