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Royal College of Art: Rankings, Popular Courses, Fees
Last updated on 16 Jan '26
About Royal College of Art
Established in 1837, Royal College of Art is among the top public research university based in London, UK. Royal College of Art is popularly known as RCA and is a government recognised UK college, holding a Royal Charter. RCA is home to more than 2,700 students, out of which 1,800+ are international students. Royal College of Art offers a large variety of programs at PG levels for its international students. Royal College of Art acceptance rate stands at 75%, making it hard to get into.
Royal College of Art Information
Royal College of Art is one of the one of the most prominent universities in the United Kingdom. When it comes to university, international students check various factors such as scholarships, fees, location, placement rate, acceptance rate, etc. Check the table listed below for major factor about Royal College of Art-
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance rate |
75% |
|
Type of university |
Public Research University |
|
Location |
London, UK |
|
Endowment |
GBP 39.6 million |
|
Total no. of students |
2,700 |
|
Popular courses among Indian students |
M.A., M.Arch, MFA |
|
Student-to-faculty-ratio |
1:20 |
|
Total no. of international students |
1,800+ |
|
Notable Alumni |
David Hockney, Tracey Emin, James Dyson |
History
Founded in 1837, Royal College of Art is one of the oldest universities in the UK. Royal College of Art was founded in Somerset House, as the Government School of Design or Metropolitan School of Design. Around 300+ students were attending classes at RCA by 1848. In 1852, Richard Burchett became head of the school. In 1853 it was expanded and moved to Marlborough House, and then, in 1853 or 1857, to South Kensington, on the same site as the South Kensington Museum. In 1857, the school was renamed the Normal Training School of Art and the National Art Training School in 1863.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Yes, Royal College of Art is among the top choice of international students to pursue PG programs in the UK. RCA students body features 2,700+ students, out of which 1,800+ are international students. Royal College of Art offers a large variety of programs at PG levels for its international students. Royal College of Art acceptance rate stands at 75%.
Royal College of Art acceptance rate stands at 75%. RCA has enrolled more than 1,800 international students. For RCA admissions, international students must meet all the admission requirements at the university.
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. International students must follows the below steps at RCA-
Stage 1- Submission of personal information: Provide personal details, date of birth and contact information. Additional information include:
- Predicted or achieved performance in previous qualifications and/or evidence of equivalent professional experience;
- Evidence of English language proficiency if English;
- Context in which qualifications have been achieved or are being completed; and
- Relevant employment history.
Stage 2- Submission of portfolio:
- Upload portfolio following the guidance provided. Depending on the program, the applicant's portfolio may include files of their work and any written descriptions, explanations or justifications required.;
- Provide a 300-word written statement;
- Complete the critical challenge – a short video, up to two minutes, of talking to the camera about personal creative journey; and
- Upload one written reference.
Royal College of Art Programs
Royal College of Art offers best academic programs for its international students. RCA degree programs attracts students from all over the world. Royal College of Art offers more than 37 programs at postgraduate levels. RCA is committed to offer quality education through its four main schools-
- Architecture
- Arts & Humanities
- Communication
- Design
Royal College of Art Popular Programs
Some popular programs offered by Royal College of Art Popular are Fine Art (Painting, Sculpture), Design (Fashion, Product, Interior, Innovation Engineering), Communication (Graphic Design, Media), etc. The top programs opted by Indian students at RCA are mentioned below-
Royal College of Art Online Programs
Royal College of Art Popular offers specialized online short programs in areas such as Animation, Editorial Design, Typography, and Portfolio Development, etc.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
Guided 4.2K students to UK universities.
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 one of the best degree programs at postgraduate levels for its international students. Royal College of Art offers 37+ programs at PG levels across various specializations art, design, communication, architecture, and humanities.
Royal College of Art is one of the top choice of international students to continue MFA in UK. Royal College of Art offers MFA for the duration of 1 year. The college first year tuition fee for MFA ranges from INR 47 L. Royal College of Art offers more than 37 degree at PG levels.
Royal College of Art Admission 2026
For Royal College of Art admissions, international students must meet entry-level requirements. RCA offers admission for international students in two intakes namely Jan and May intake every year. Indian students can apply for PG programs through RCA Application Portal. Royal College of Art does not charge an application fee for international students.
Royal College of Art Application Deadline
RCA postgraduate programs application deadline for Indian students is listed below-
|
Intakes |
Deadline |
|---|---|
|
May 2026 |
Apr 10, 2026 |
|
MBA (Round 2) |
Mar 17, 2026 |
|
MBA (Round 3) |
Jun 3, 2026 |
Royal College of Art Eligibility of Indian students
- For PG program apply via RCA Application Portal
- Complete the application form with all relevant documents
- Prepare your documents
- Submit test scores
- Copy of passport
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
For RCA admissions, 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 on their individual merits at the Royal College of Art. Additionally, the selection process consider includes the examination of creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in the candidate's portfolio, as well as their potential to benefit from the programme of choice and to achieve high standards overall.
Royal College of Art is one of the best universities for higher education in the UK. Royal College of Art application deadline for PG programs for international students is mentioned below-
Intakes | Deadline |
|---|---|
May 2026 | Apr 10, 2026 |
MBA (Round 2) | Mar 17, 2026 |
MBA (Round 3) | Jun 3, 2026 |
Royal College of Art offers admission for international students in two intakes. RCA admission requirements can vary from one to another. Royal College of Art general admission requirements for PG programs is listed below-
- Complete the online application form
- Bachelor's degree from an approved university
- More than 300 words personal statement
- Portfolio showcasing creativity
- Official academic transcripts
- Photocopy of passport
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (IELTS 6.5+)
- Resume/CV
- Reference
Royal College of ArtRoyal College of Art Scholarships
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. Some most popular scholarship offered by RCA are listed below-
| Name | Amount Disbursed |
|---|---|
| Deputy Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship | GBP 7,000 |
| Anne Tyrell Design Award | GBP 4,000 |
| Burberry Design Scholarship | Full fees & Maintenance |
| GREAT Scholarships | GBP 10,000 |
| Power Scholarship | GBP 5,000 |
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Royal College of Arts various scholarships for their international students. 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 GBP 10,000 as a reduction in tuition fees.
Yes, Royal College of Art offer various scholarship for its international students at PG levels. RCA Scholarships attracts students from all over the world. Royal College of Art top scholarships for international students is listed below-
| Scholarship Name | Disbursement Amount |
|---|---|
| Deputy Vice Chancellor's International Scholarship | GBP 7,000 |
| Anne Tyrell Design Award | GBP 4,000 |
| Burberry Design Scholarship | Full fees & Maintenance |
| GREAT Scholarships | GBP 10,000 |
| Power Scholarship | GBP 5,000 |
1 yearRoyal College of Art Placements
RCA grads work for leading sectors such as Business Development, Operations, Education, Arts and Design, etc. Royal College of Art placement rate attracts international students the most. Royal College of Art graduates are constantly in high demand worldwide.
Royal College of Art Placement Rate
Royal College of Art placement rate around 90%, and the graduates are employed within few months of graduation. Royal College of Art graduates work for leading firms such as Rolls-Royce, Sky and Versace, Adidas, Apple Inc, Burberry, etc. The average salary of Royal College of Art MBA graduate is listed below:
|
Particulars |
Salary |
|---|---|
|
Average Salary (Postgrad) |
GBP 57,000/year |
ROI after Education at Royal College of Art
Return on Investment (ROI) for a university is determined by the salary a graduate can expect to earn after graduation, compared to all the costs associated with attending college, such as tuition, living expenses, and foregone earnings. Given below are the details of the fees (investment) and salary (return) at Royal College of Art:
|
Course |
Salary (ROI) |
|---|---|
|
MBA |
GBP 57,000 |
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Royal College of Art placement rate stabds at 90%. Royal College of Art graduates work for leading firms such as Rolls-Royce, Sky and Versace, Adidas, Apple Inc, Burberry, and more.
Royal College of Art Fees
The Royal College of Art tuition fee varies with the level of the programs & the specialization being pursued by students. RCA annual tuition fee for PG programs ranges from INR 32.74 L - 46.9 L. The average cost of living for international students at Royal College of Art are listed below-
|
Particulars |
Monthly Expenses (GBP) |
|---|---|
|
Shared Room |
GBP 726 |
|
Studio Flat |
GBP 1,200 |
|
1 Bedroom Flat |
GBP 1,450 |
|
2 Bedroom Flat |
GBP 1,700 |
|
Student Accommodation Halls |
GBP 800 - GBP 1,500 |
|
Utilities |
GBP 100 - GBP 150 |
|
Groceries |
GBP 200 - GBP 300 |
|
Eating Out |
GBP 50 - GBP 100 |
|
Travel (Monthly Travel card) |
GBP 100 - GBP 130 |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.A.(11 courses) | INR 38 L - 47 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 45 weeks-1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL, PTE |
M.Arch(4 courses) | INR 33 L - 44 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL, PTE |
MFA(1 course) | INR 47 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL, PTE |
M.Sc.(1 course) | INR 44 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL, PTE |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
The college tuition fee is among the major concerns of students while considering a university. Royal College of Art tuition fee may vary from one programme to another. RCA annual tuition fee for PG students is listed below-
| Course level | Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|
| PG | INR 32.74 L - 46.9 L |
RCA annual tuition fee for PG programs ranges from INR 32.74 L - 46.9 L. The average cost of living for international students at Royal College of Art are listed below-
Particulars | Monthly Expenses (GBP) |
|---|---|
Shared Room | GBP 726 |
Studio Flat | GBP 1,200 |
1 Bedroom Flat | GBP 1,450 |
2 Bedroom Flat | GBP 1,700 |
Student Accommodation Halls | GBP 800 - GBP 1,500 |
Utilities | GBP 100 - GBP 150 |
Groceries | GBP 200 - GBP 300 |
Eating Out | GBP 50 - GBP 100 |
Travel (Monthly Travel card) | GBP 100 - GBP 130 |
Royal College of Art Notable Alumni
Royal College of Art rich alumni network include more than 28,000 members all over the world. RCA alumni network include mentors, innovators, leaders, etc. Some notable alumni at Royal College of Art are listed below-
| Name of Personality | Profesiion | Picture |
|---|---|---|
| David Hockney | Painter | |
| Tracey Emin | Artist | |
| James Dyson | Inventor and former provost of Royal College of Ar | |
| Deborah Nadoolman Landis | American costume designer | |
| Henry Moore | Visual Artist | |
| David Adjaye | British architect | |
| Peter Blake | Artist |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
With over 28,000 alumni members, Royal College of Art grads work all over the world. Some most popular alumni at RCA are listed below-
- Peter Blake
- Barbara Hepworth
- Frank Auerbach
- Zandra Rhodes
College comparison
Compare Royal College of Art with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 38.21 L - 46.9 L | -/- | |
| INR 17.92 L - 22.48 L | #100 Guardian, 2026 | |
| INR 21.72 L - 37.08 L | -/- | |
| INR 22.29 L - 36.43 L | #9 Guardian, 2026 | |
| INR 15.52 L - 21.81 L | #68 Guardian, 2026 | |
| INR 24.24 L | #60 Guardian, 2026 |
CompareRoyal College of ArtStudying in UK
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Royal College of Art
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 years ago
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 re
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 years ago
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) |
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 years ago
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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 years ago
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, Desig
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Royal College of ArtTake a look at Campus
Campus building
Main building
Academic block
Royal College of ArtLocation
| University City | London, London, UK |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 88,25,000 |
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