History
The Royal College of Art started life in 1837 as the Government School of Design. Granted a Royal Charter and university status in 1967, today the RCA remains the world’s most influential postgraduate institution of art, design and architecture.
Education
The university organizes Graduate Showcases for each school. Check out the university's website for the showcase that interests you. You can also join Admissions Tutors during the Online Portfolio Q&As to learn what the RCA looks for in a strong application and portfolio, and to ask any questions about applying and studying.
Research
The RCA excels in world-leading art and design research with real-world impact. Research is a core strength, with the RCA leading advancements in areas like cities and mass migration; future mobility; healthcare and wellbeing; ageing populations; art, culture and conflict; ceramics and digital printing; future materials and sustainability; communication and identity design; and inclusive design.
The Research Excellence Framework 2021 results (an assessment of the quality of research taking place in UK universities) show that the Royal College of Art continues to be a world-leading research-intensive institution – with an increased proportion of outputs classed as internationally excellent and world-leading.
Career
Graduating from the RCA opens up a wide range of opportunities within and beyond the creative and cultural industries. RCA graduates are highly sought after due to the college’s reputation for excellence, with 9/10 graduates saying they apply their learning from RCA directly to their current work.
Many students secure roles in design agencies or in-house design studios in a vast range of industries around the World. Many students exhibit their work in leading galleries, festivals, biennials and public spaces.
For the entrepreneurs, the RCA supports graduate start-ups through the incubation programme InnovationRCA. The RCA is among the top ten UK universities for the number of spinouts between 2011-2024.
Top reasons to study here
- No. 1 in the world for art and design (2026 QS World University Subject Rankings) for 12 consecutive years.
- We work with the world's most innovative organisations – from Snapchat, to the Design Museum, Epic Games to Ministry of Justice, and CERN to Forster+Partners.
Royal College of Art Key Statistics & Highlights
- 39 Masters
- 92 Scholarships
- Public Institution Type
Royal College of Art Overview
Royal College of Art Scholarships
Royal College of Art Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Royal College of Art. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Royal College of Art Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 23 reviews
- 5 Star 13 Reviews
- 4 Star 9 Reviews
- 3 Star 1 Review
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
find my match !
Finding the right Master’s program felt overwhelming at first - until I discovered Studyportals. What impressed me most was how intuitive and transparent the platform is. Instead of endlessly navigating scattered university websites, I could clearly compare programs, entry requirements, tuition, and deadlines all in one place. Through Studyportals, I found what genuinely feels like my perfect match: the MA Painting program at the Royal College of Art. The detailed information, student insights, and structured overview helped me move from vague searching to confident decision-making. Beyond being a search engine, Studyportals felt like a guide. It simplified a complex international application process and gave me clarity at every step. For a major life decision like choosing where to pursue my Master’s, that kind of support is invaluable.
Lone wolf
RCA challenged me to grow through adversity. Facing intense critique and high expectations, I learned resilience, deepened my learning, and built authentic confidence. Immersed in diverse perspectives, I honed both my creative and leadership skills—emerging not just as a stronger artist, but as a thoughtful, capable, and inspiring leader.
Heavy workload, no canteen
The school curriculum arrangement is reasonable, there is no water class, the weekly class time is not much, but the class intensity is still relatively large, the students are very thoughtful. Let's not talk about eating, our campus has no canteen, but according to the students of other campuses, there is a canteen is also very difficult to eat.
Student services
Campus life
Our three London campuses are located in South Kensington, Battersea and White City. Students have access to specialist workshops, studios, and technical spaces tailored to the creative disciplines. These facilities include 3D printing labs, metal and wood workshops, digital fabrication labs, visual & immersive technology labs and AV production suites.
Ranked as the best city in the world for students (QS Best Student Cities, 2025) London is a global centre for culture including world-class museums, galleries, theatres, and cultural landmarks. Excellent transport links make it easy to access the city’s events, exhibitions, and creative hubs as well as the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe.