Join the Royal College of Art — the world’s leading postgraduate art and design university - Apply now for September 2026

The Royal College of Art is the world’s leading postgraduate art and design university, providing students with unrivalled opportunities to develop their practice, build their networks, enhance their career and to deliver art and design projects that transform the world.

For 11 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2025) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.

Our London campus is spread throughout the heart of one of the world’s most creative cities, with sites in the historic surroundings of Kensington, the future-thinking hub of White City, and the cultural quarter in Battersea.

Our Global Creative Community

Students come to the College from across the globe and bring with them a wide range of backgrounds, educational approaches and experiences - due to the cross-disciplinary nature of our work, and our growing range of courses, nearly 25% of students now come to the RCA with a Bachelor's degree in a subject other than art and design.

Studying here means you'll be part of a network of inspiring students in a city known for creative culture, and part of the RCA’s rich history since its formation in 1837. Both the RCA and London as a whole are hubs of activity; full of places where you can socialise, explore and make new discoveries.

Secure your place for 2026

Postgraduate Study

Our postgraduate programmes will enable you to tackle complex issues, push the boundaries of your practice, build your networks and find your voice as a creative professional. Through our four schools we offer a range of degrees across the art and design disciplines.

• School of Architecture
• School of Arts & Humanities
• School of Communication
• School of Design

RCA’s new 2026 short courses and masterclasses are now open for booking and applications. They offer intensive on-campus masterclasses in London and flexible, expert-led online courses to join from anywhere in the globe.

Executive Education:

• Creative Leadership Masterclass: 19 & 20 March (on campus, London) 
• Futures Through Design : 25, 26, 27 March (on campus, London)
• Service Design Masterclass: 16, 17, 20, 21 April (online) 
• Design Thinking & Innovation in Practice Masterclass:  11 & 12 May (on campus, London)
• Leading with a Design Mindset for a World Changed by AI: 14 & 15 May (on campus, London) 
• Design Without: a Neville Brody Masterclass: 10, 11, 12 June (on campus, London) 

Art & Design Courses:

• Introduction to Animation: Context & Processes: 1 - 18 June (online)
• Typography: 2 - 26 June (online) 
• The Graphic Novel: Visual Storytelling: 6 - 30 July (online) 

Summer Schools 

• Curating Contemporary Art & Design Summer School: 6 - 17 July (online)
• Architecture Summer School: 13 - 17 July (on campus, London)
• Contemporary Art Summer School: 13 - 31 July (online)

Funding 

RCA offers a wide range of funding opportunities to support postgraduate study, including a variety of tuition fee and living cost scholarships.

Beyond financial support, many of these scholarships also provide networking opportunities with peers, partnership organisations and professional bodies to enhance your experience

Find out more 

Meet the RCA:

The RCA hosts a range of online and in-person events for aspiring students. Register for online and on-campus open days, portfolio Q&A sessions, campus tours and the chance to meet the RCA globally and in the UK.

Find out more