Eligibility and key dates

You'll need to fulfil specific academic criteria in order to apply for our programmes. Our programme pages explain the requirements for each programme.

You also need to meet English language requirements.

Graduate Diploma Art & Design

If you feel you are not quite prepared to apply for a Master's programme, we invite you to apply for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design pre-Master’s programme. Applicants come from an variety of backgrounds and disciplines and all applications are evaluated on their individual merits.

Taught Master's

Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process will consider creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high Master's standards overall.

Postgraduate research

Our MPhil and PhD programmes welcome applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds.

Graduate Diploma

Applications for the January 2027 intake will open on 1 September 2026.

Deadline to apply: 12noon (UK time) on 7 December 2026.

Find out how to apply.

Sign up for our upcoming online and on-campus events.

Applications of the 2027 intake will open on 12 October 2026. If you are considering applying to start in September 2027, you can register your interest for updates on admissions dates, application advice and events.

Offers are sent on a rolling basis meaning the earlier you submit your application, the sooner you will be notified of the outcome.  The latest you will hear the result of your application is 6-weeks from the deadline of the round you applied in.

Round 1

Applications open: Monday 12 October 2026

Deadline: Friday 8 January 2027, 12 noon (UK time)

Notification of outcome: by 19 February 2027

Round 2

Applications open: Monday 11 January 2027

Deadline: Friday Tuesday 23 March 2027, 12 noon (UK time)

Notification of outcome: by 5 May February 2027

Round 3

Applications open: Wednesday 24 March 2027

Master's final deadline: Wednesday 2 June 2027, 12 noon (UK time)

Master's notification of outcome: by Wednesday 14 July 2027

MPhil and PhD final deadline: Wednesday 14 July 2027, 12 noon (UK time)

MPhil and PhD notification of outcome: by Wednesday 25 July 2027

Many of our scholarships are awarded in the earlier rounds of applications, so the earlier you apply, the more chance you have of receiving a scholarship.

If you receive an offer, you must accept your offer and pay your deposit within three weeks to secure your place.

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will need to demonstrate that you have a reasonable knowledge of the English language to study at the RCA.

Offer holders must upload English language test results by Tuesday 9 June 2026. See English Language Requirements for more information.