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Last updated on 8 Oct '25
About Royal College of Art
Based in London, UK, the Royal College of Art, is an public funded higher education institution that first opened its doors in the year 1837. The institute houses 1 departments/colleges under its institutional umbrella that spans across 1 campus. The University is known to offer around 17 courses across 7 streams, with some popular ones being IT and Software, Humanities and Social Sciences, Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ), Design and Architecture and Planning as part of its curriculum.
The courses, offered at graduate level, can be pursued across 3 specializations, with major ones being Multimedia and Digital Media, Creative and Professional Writing and Jewellery Design. These courses are offered for a duration of 45 weeks to 2 years. Among the prominent graduate courses offered by the institute includes: M.A., M.Sc, MFA and M.Arch.
Prospective students are also advised to consider the Royal College of Art fee before applying, with the first year graduate tuition fee ranging from GBP 26,950 - 38,600.The university prefers candidates with a good academic record and as a result, interested students must satisfy the university’s admission requirements to have a chance of securing a seat. The university considers the following exam scores for admissions: IELTS.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Royal College of Art offers a variety of postgraduate programs for their international students across the disciplines of Art & Design. Annual tuition fee required to pursue a degree course at RCA is around 35L on an average, which can be considered expensive as a study abroad option. Students can refer to the table listed below for course specific fees requirements:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
M.A. (9 courses) | INR 33 L - 40 L |
MS (2 courses) | INR 38 L |
M.Arch (4 courses) | INR 28 L - 38 L |
M.A.0 (1 course) | INR 40 L |
Royal College of Arts offer a variety of scholarships for their overseas audience. As students are considered automatically for scholarships once they apply for RCA admissions, they do not need to submit any separate application. International students can avail these scholarships on the basis of their academic achievement, as they are merit-based. Disbursement amount of Royal College of Arts scholarships for international students can go upto £10,000 as a reduction in tuition fees.
With an acceptance rate of merely 28%, Royal College of Art is a very competitive college to get into. This figure tells us that RCA accepts approximately only 28 out of every 100 applicants on an average. However, students must not feel discouraged and fulfill all the Royal College of Art admission requirements, ie; academic requirements, English language requirements & more in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in RCA. Candidates must be aware of the application deadlines and apply to the college correctly, along with submitting all the relevant requirements.
Note: The data is derived from unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.
Royal College of Art Ranking 2025
Royal College of Art is considered to be one of the top universities in UK.
Royal College of Art is well-ranked at the national level. The course ranking for #4 according to Shiksha Popularity Ranking stands at M.A. in 2025. Shiksha Popularity Ranking is a ranking system that simplifies your journey of choosing the best university for studying abroad. It aggregates ranks of some of the top ranking bodies with a clear number nationally both at university and course level.Royal College of Art courses
Royal College of Art offers over 17 courses, across 7 streams at the graduate level. IT and Software, Humanities and Social Sciences, Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ), Design and Architecture and Planning are among the most popular streams at the institute. When it comes to specialisations, Multimedia and Digital Media, Creative and Professional Writing and Jewellery Design are the stand-out ones. Of the overall courses offered, some attract the attention of Royal College of Art students more than others. At the post-graduate level, students can choose from popular courses such as M.A., M.Sc, MFA and M.Arch. These courses can be completed over a duration of 45 weeks to 2 years.
Guided 4.1K students to UK universities.
Guided 4.1K students to UK universities.
13.6K+ students got admitted through us.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Through its four academic schools, namely School of Architecture, School of Arts & Humanities, School of Communication, and School of Design, Royal College of Art offers various postgraduate courses such as Graduate Diploma, MA, MArch, MEd, MFA, MDes, MRes, MPhil and PhD degree programs across the disciplines of Art & Design. Listed below are the fields of study offered in RCA, for overseas applicants:
- Applied Arts;
- Architecture;
- Business;
- Communication;
- Contemporary Art;
- Curating & Culture;
- Design;
- Education;
- Environment;
- Experience Design;
- Fashion;
- Fine Arts;
- Graphic Design;
- Humanities;
- Illustration;
- Industrial Design;
- Moving Image;
- Product Design; and
- Textiles.
Royal College of Art is considered to be one of the best global Art & Design schools and is renowned worldwide for its Master's programs, including the MA in Service Design. RCA is well known for its cutting-edge design and innovation, and this is also true of its Service Design program. It's Service Design programme emphasizes practical, hands-on experience and collaboration with industry partners, preparing students for careers in designing and delivering services that meet user needs. Additionally, due to RCA's central location in London, students have easy access to a multitude of networks and resources. Instructors at RCA are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the field of service design, and they bring a wealth of practical knowledge and industry expertise to the classroom. Many RCA graduates go on to have successful careers in service design and related fields, making up the large and influential alumni network of the school. Overall, students planning to pursue MA in Service Design must consider Royal College of Art for their higher studies in UK.
Royal College of Art Admission 2025
Royal College of Art accepts international application through the Official Application Portal available on the university’s website.
All international applicants must meet the Royal College of Art entry requirements in order to be admitted, which is inclusive of academic transcripts, GPA requirements, scores on aptitude and standardized tests, essays, resumes, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and more.
Moreover, the entrance/English language proficiency exams scores, such as IELTS, must also be submitted by students.
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Prospective overseas audience of the Royal College of Art can apply through the Application Portal available on the college's website. While applying, students must be mindful of the deadlines for their choice of course and submit all the supporting documents. Listed below are the Royal College of Art application deadlines for international students:
| Course Level | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma Art & Design | Apr 8, 2024 |
| MA/MSc, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes Program | Feb 14, 2024 |
| MPhil & PhD | Feb 14, 2024 |
As per the data derived from unofficial sources, only 28 out of every 100 applicants get enrolled as a student at the Royal College of Art. This makes RCA a very competitive institution to get into, with an acceptance rate of 28%. However, students must not feel discouraged and fulfill all the Royal College of Art admission requirements academic requirements, English language requirements & relevant documents in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in RCA.
Note: The data is derived from unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.
Prospective overseas audience of the Royal College of Art can apply through the Application Portal available on the college's website. While applying to RCA, students are required to submit the following documents:
- Official academic transcripts
- 300-word written statement;
- One written reference;
- UK student visa and
- Copy of passport.
Royal College of ArtRoyal College of Art Scholarships 2024
Royal College of Art offers generous scholarships to their international students, on the basis of academic merit. Students are automatically considered for RCA scholarships, hence no separate application is required.
Most of the scholarships are aimed at MA level study, though there are also scholarships available for Graduate Diploma, MFA, MDes, MPhil, MRes, MArch, MEd and PhD. Types of scholarships offered at RCA are inclusive of Full fee payment plus living costs, Full fee payment, Partial fee payment, or Contributions to living costs.
Royal College of Art Scholarships for International Students
- Deputy Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship;
- Anne Tyrell Design Award;
- Burberry Design Scholarship;
- GREAT Scholarships; and
- Power Scholarship.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Yes, the Royal College of Art does offer a range of scholarships for their international students. Listed below are the Royal College of Art scholarships for international students:
| Scholarship Name | Disbursement Amount |
|---|---|
| Deputy Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship | £7,000 |
| Anne Tyrell Design Award | £4,000 |
| Burberry Design Scholarship | Full fees & Maintenance |
| GREAT Scholarships | £10,000 |
| Power Scholarship | £5,000 |
1 yearRoyal College of Art Fees
The Royal College of Art tuition fee varies with the level of the course & the specialization being pursued by students. The first-year tuition fee for graduate courses is GBP 26,950 - 38,600.
Other than that, students must also account for the cost of living in London, that includes a number of expenses such as rent, food, utilities, medical bills, among some other personal expenses over the duration of studies.
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.A.(11 courses) | INR 38 L - 46 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 45 weeks-1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE |
MFA(1 course) | INR 46 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE |
M.Sc.(1 course) | INR 43 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE |
M.Arch(4 courses) | INR 32 L - 43 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Royal College of Arts offers on-campus accommodation facilities to their overseas students, which comprise of various amenities. Listed below are the Royal College of Art cost of living for international students:
- Rent: £15,600/£240–300
- Food: £2,600/£50
- Household goods: £1,040/£20
- Household bills: £2,080/£40
- Insurance: £86.32/£1.66
- Personal items: £1,560/£30 (clothing, mobile phone bills, medical expenses, toiletries, and other small personal items)
- Leisure items: £1,560/£30 (hobbies, sports, entertainment subscriptions, and social and cultural activities)
- Course materials: £2,800/£52
- Travel: £2,080/£40
In order to secure an admission, all overseas applicants must fulfill the Royal College of Art admission requirements listed below:
- Bachelor's degree;
- IELTS score;
- Personal Statement (SOP);
- Recommendation Letter (LOR); and
- Portfolio.
Note: Some Royal College of Arts programs may have certain additional requirements. Hence, students are advised to refer to the table below for course-specific requirements.
Fulfilling the English language requirements is a major entry requirement at the Royal College of Art. RCA accepts IELTS score as a proof of proficiency in the English language and students can refer to the table below for minimum score requirements, as per the choice of course:
| Course Level | IELTS Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma Programs | Overall score of 5.5 (with minimum 5.5 in all bands) |
MA, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes Programs | Overall score of 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills) |
MPhil Programs | Overall score of 6.5 (with minimum 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in other skills) |
PhD Programs | Overall score of 7.0 (with minimum 7.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills) |
Royal College of ArtCollege comparison
Compare Royal College of Art with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 37.71 L - 46.29 L | -/- | |
| INR 22 L - 31.78 L | -/- | |
| INR 22 L - 35.96 L | #9 Guardian, 2026 | |
| INR 21.36 L - 36.45 L | -/- | |
| INR 23.92 L | #60 Guardian, 2026 | |
| INR 35.89 L - 42.06 L | -/- |
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Some of the popular courses in the UK are BBA, MIM, BE / BTech, MSc, MBA / PGDM.
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Royal College of Art Campus Life
The main campus of Royal College of Art is located in London, UK.
Royal College of Art aims to offer a great campus life to its students through 1 schools/departments. It offers a variety of opportunities to students to get involved with the community. There are a number of students organizations and clubs available and students can choose to participate from organizations and clubs as per their interest. On top of this, students can take part in the athletic teams of the university. They can also utilize the various resources and facilities of the university such as library, recreation center, counselling services, etc.
Royal College of Art FAQs
Royal College of Art is the world's most influential postgraduate institution of Art & Design. In QS World University Rankings by Subject, RCA is ranked at #1 worldwide for its programs in fields such as Applied Arts, Architecture, Business, Communication, Contemporary Art, Curating & Culture, Design, Education, Environment, Experience Design, Fashion, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Humanities, Illustration, Industrial Design, Moving Image, Product Design, and Textiles.
When it comes to the RCA campus life, students get to study in one of the three campuses located in South Kensington, Battersea and White City. Royal College of Aart offers on-campus accommodation facilities to their international students, which comprise of amenities such as hot water points, fridges and microwaves, showers, Wi-Fi, free shuttle bus service between campuses, discounted food at campus canteens, and free period products.
The Royal College of Art application fee for international students is 348GBP (INR 36,612.74). This fee is typically non-refundable and covers the cost of processing and viewing the applications. It is important to note that the Application fee differs from the other fees. However, the application fee might vary depending on the intake, and it’s suggested that students should check the official for more information depending on the course and requirements.
Royal College of Art
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a year ago
Royal College of Art in United Kingdom requires a minimum GPA of 3 in order to stand a good chance to get admission into Royal College of Art.This GPA requirement underscores the institution commitment to academic excellence and high standards in terms of GPA. Irrespective of that To be admitted to
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
Royal College of Art accepts international applications through the Application Portal available on the college's website. While applying, students must fulfill all the Royal College of Art eligibility requirements and submit all the supporting documents.
Listed below are the steps to apply to RCA:
St
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
In order to get admitted in the Royal College of Art for master's courses, international students will have to fulfill the admission requirements, which consist of a Bachelor's degree, IELTS score: 6.5 overall as well as supporting documents like SOP and LOR. However, all applications are evaluated
Contributor-Level 10
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Royal College of ArtLocation
| University City | London, London, UK |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 88,25,000 |
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