Royal College of Art

Established in 1837, the Royal College of Art is the world’s longest-running postgraduate college of art and design.

Based around the six Schools of Architecture, Communication, Design, Fine Art, Humanities and Material, our breadth of subjects is wide and embodies a deep tradition of practice-based research.

Students come to the RCA from across the globe and find themselves at the dynamic heart of one of the most exciting periods of cultural development in over a generation, born from the shifts in technology and craft, art and design, communication, science and social relevance.

We actively encourage cross-disciplinary activity and experimentation, led by world-renowned practitioners, many of whom are drawn from our successful alumni. There are some 1,200 students at the College at any one time, taught by over 350 members of staff including a distinguished, revolving cast of visiting professors, lecturers and practitioners.

The RCA has a strong research culture – there are over 120 MPhil and PhD students – that both leads and informs each School-wide knowledge base. Within each curriculum are opportunities for cross-pollination through group projects with other RCA programmes, and creative collaborations with key partners provide industry-specific experience that is mutually beneficial.

Many new developments are currently in progress at the College, including the completion of new buildings, workshops and studios; the creation of a new research hub; the expansion of joint projects with industry; the launch of four dynamic new courses; and the appointment of many new members of our academic teams. Our vision is to help develop great creative minds, and ideas that will be central to the cultural evolution of our societies.

Housed over two campuses in Kensington and Battersea, the RCA is surrounded by some of the most important spaces and events in London’s art and design worlds, and an exciting social scene of bars, clubs and cafés.