Royal College of Art Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

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:

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.

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:

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 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.

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:

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.

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.

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 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.

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:

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:

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.