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Key details

Date

  • 1 November 2022

Read time

  • 1 minute

Welcome to the World’s No.1 University for Art & Design.*

Whether you have a creative background or you’re changing professions – gain unrivalled opportunities to enhance your practice, build networks, solve real-world challenges and boost your career.

Register your interest for a 2025 start.

Key details

Date

  • 1 November 2022

Read time

  • 1 minute

Explore our Programmes →

Featured Programmes

Tian Gao, Graduate Diploma

Graduate Diploma Art & Design

Graduate Diploma Art & Design →

Applications are currently open for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design intake in January 2025 (completing in August 2025). This pre-Master's programme is available on-campus, online or both. The application deadline is 6 December 2024 at 12 noon (GMT).

Why choose the RCA?

Group_of_architecture_students_in_studio


Teaching and research expertise

  • The opportunity to learn from world-leading academic staff. We are the only UK art and design university where all academics are research active – meaning everything we teach is related to cutting-edge research.

Renowned alumni

  • Our 20,000 alumni are leaders in their disciplines, making national and international headlines. Alumni include Henry Moore, Bridget Riley, David Hockney, Sir Ridley Scott, Sir Frank Bowling, Sir James Dyson, Tracey Emin, Philip Treacy, Christopher Bailey and Thomas Heatherwick.

Creative networks

  • The RCA is the world’s largest concentration of postgraduate artists and designers, representing the largest talent-base and most opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration available at Master’s and doctoral level.

Interdisciplinary connections

  • Our College-wide annual projects and challenges help our students find like-minded creatives to solve major global problems, grow their networks, or find future business partners.

A diverse community

  • An RCA student might be a career-changer, or come straight from an undergraduate course. We welcome students from over 70 countries, and offer a wide range of scholarships. A quarter of our students come from a non-arts background.

Build your career

  • From start-up support to tailored careers activities, to live projects with leading companies, charities and NGOs, the RCA helps move your career to the next level.


Ask a question

Enquire here to take the next step toward your career →

Where do...

Team Shellworks, 2021


Engineers grow new materials from bacteria?

Shellworks was co-founded by RCA alumni to create a plastic-free future. They work with bacteria to produce materials that are truly compostable, aesthetic, performant and cost competitive.

Learn more


OR_BITAL_BLOOM data-driven artworks


Artists generate gardens from data?

Orbital Bloom is a virtual garden that combines data reporting with the creativity of digital arts, algorithmic tracking, and AI to incentivise and express meaningful climate action.


Learn more


*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Art & Design

Life at the RCA

Our sites are located in the historic capital city of London, a vibrant cultural centre with an international outlook.

Explore our campuses or join a campus tour

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.

Explore our facilities

The Student Support Team offers advice, information and support to all RCA students and offer-holders.

Explore student support

The RCA is committed to celebrating diversity, eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity to all.

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  • “This course has really given me the free reign to focus on what I was trying to do, for all this time without having a focus.”

    Damien Shipley-Marshall Graduate Diploma – Communication

  • “It was a place where curiosity was absolutely encouraged, without limit and without borders, that was a very appealing place to be… With the RCA you’ve got a badge that opens doors.”

    Judah Armani Service Design graduate, Founder at InHouse Records

  • “There is such an amazing range of staff and tutors and the fact that everyone kind of came from different backgrounds makes it a richer experience.”

    Lucy Hardcastle Information Experience Design graduate, Founder & Creative Director at Lucy Hardcastle Studio

  • “The college was incredibly formative to me and plays a big part in the way that I operate now as a designer and as an architect. The multi-disciplinary spirit at Heatherwick studio often reminds me of the RCA.”

    Andre Kong Architecture graduate, Associate & Project Leader at Heatherwick Studio

  • “As an independent filmmaker what I acquired from RCA has given me confidence and confirmation in what I can achieve in my career going forward.”

    Duncan Senkumba Animation graduate, Animator & Director

  • “There is at the RCA a sense of community that I hadn’t witnessed in French universities. Being surrounded by talented artists and creators is also very inspiring”

    Anna DuFour Montuori Curating Contemporary Art graduate, Arts Project Officer

  • “I came to the RCA because I was at a point where I felt like I needed to establish a visual identity for myself… It has completely reshaped my process and helped me to think much more conceptually than I ever have before.”

    Sosa Yande Graduate Diploma Art & Design graduate, Artist

  • “The staff made me realise that I could be more ambitious, more sure of myself and to grab the next dream project (in my case, a book) and make it happen. The RCA has most definitely opened doors for me – and showed me where the doors are.”

    Laura Robertson Writing graduate, Author and freelance writer

  • “Throughout my career I realised that Royal College of Art was a constant reference by my favourite artists, and professionals. The choice seemed clear.”

    Hugo Pereira Sculpture graduate, Visual artist

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