Organizer Information
The Royal Academy Schools (RA Schools) is the postgraduate fine art school of the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) in London. Founded as part of the Academy in 1769, the RA Schools has a long history of supporting artists through intensive studio-based education and is known for its independent, practice-led approach to contemporary fine art. The programme brings together a diverse international and UK-based student community and places strong emphasis on sustained studio practice, critical discussion, experimentation, and engagement with contemporary art. The RA describes itself as an independent charity with a mission centred on art being made, exhibited and debated.
Key Information
- Official program title: Royal Academy Schools Postgraduate Programme
- Program type: Three-year postgraduate Fine Art programme
- Institution name: Royal Academy Schools, Royal Academy of Arts
- Country/city: United Kingdom / London
- Academic field: Fine Arts / Contemporary Art Practice
- Language of degree: English
- Number of open study places: Approximately 10–17 places per year
- Application Period: 14 September–14 December 2026
- Application Deadline: 14 December 2026; the SlideRoom portal closes 15 December 2026, and no extensions are available
- Start of studies: October 2027
- Tuition: No course fees
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
The RA Schools accepts applicants working across contemporary fine art practice. Applicants should demonstrate a committed and evolving artistic practice and an interest in making and thinking about art in a contemporary context.
Applicants may come from a range of educational backgrounds. A previous degree in Fine Art is not necessarily required, and applicants with an MA in another subject or a non-arts background can be considered.
However, the programme has an important qualification restriction. Because the RA Schools itself is a three-year postgraduate programme, it does not accept applicants who already hold an MFA or an equivalent Level 7 qualification in Visual Fine Art or Contemporary Art Practice.
This exclusion includes equivalent Level 7 qualifications in areas such as:
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Other visual Fine Art or Contemporary Art Practice disciplines
Equivalent Level 7 qualifications in Applied Art Practice, such as Jewellery Making, Ceramics or Textiles, are excluded from this restriction.
Preferred disciplines
The School considers all disciplines of contemporary fine art practice. Applicants should therefore demonstrate a coherent, developing practice rather than simply applying on the basis of a particular medium.
Interdisciplinary acceptance
Interdisciplinary practices are welcome where they form part of a contemporary fine art practice. The portfolio may combine different media, including images, video and audio.
Portfolio relevance
The portfolio is central to the application. Applicants must submit current work produced within the last five years that best represents their present artistic practice.
General Eligibility
The programme welcomes UK and international applicants and has no upper age limit. Successful applicants are expected to have:
- A committed and evolving contemporary fine art practice
- The capacity to engage critically with their own and others' work
- A strong commitment to intensive studio-based study
- An interest in contemporary art and current artistic practice
- The ability and willingness to contribute actively to the programme
The programme is full-time and intensive, with studio work, group critiques, tutorials, lectures, talks, written work and exhibitions.
Educational Background
There is no stated requirement for a specific undergraduate discipline. Applicants with a BA or equivalent qualification in Fine Art or another field may be considered, and the School explicitly states that applicants with an MA in another subject or a non-arts background can also be considered.
The major academic restriction is that applicants cannot hold an MFA or equivalent Level 7 qualification in visual Fine Art or Contemporary Art Practice.
Language Proficiency Requirement
The programme is conducted in English. Applicants must demonstrate postgraduate-level English-language ability, particularly because students are expected to discuss their work, creative processes, research and complex ideas.
The supplied source does not specify an IELTS, TOEFL or other standardized minimum score.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
International applicants are welcome, but immigration eligibility is a significant condition. The RA Schools does not hold a UK Student/Tier 4 sponsor licence and therefore cannot sponsor international students through the standard student route.
International applicants who do not already have suitable UK immigration status must obtain a UK Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise) or another visa/right to remain that permits them to live, work and study in the UK for the entire three-year programme.
The RA Schools provides guidance during the visa process and may assist with visa-related costs depending on circumstances.
Tuition
- Course tuition: £0
- Annual tuition fee: None
- Domestic vs international fees: No difference; the programme is free for every student offered a place
- Application fee: US$46
- Application fee waiver: Available for applicants experiencing financial hardship, but it must be requested before submitting the application
- Materials: Some consumable material costs are supported through the School's workshops, although this does not cover all materials
Funding & Financial Support
- Annual bursary: At least £4,000 per year
- Bursaries are paid in three instalments at the beginning of each term
- Students do not need to apply for the standard bursary
- Additional bursary funding may be available according to financial need
- A Student Support Fund can provide additional assistance in cases of unforeseen financial difficulty
- The School can support students in identifying and applying for other funding opportunities
- A relocation fund is available for students moving to London
- Some materials costs are supported through the School's workshops
- Visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge costs may be reimbursed under the stated conditions
The bursary does not cover the full cost of living in London, so applicants should plan for additional financial resources.
University Services & Academic Support
- Studios and workshops
- Group critiques
- Tutorials
- Lectures and talks
- Academic and artistic guidance
- Exhibition opportunities, including work towards two shows
- Support with external funding applications
- Accessibility and individual support plans
- Connections with existing student and graduate communities for accommodation information
- Opportunities for part-time work within the Royal Academy
The programme is designed to provide sustained time for students to develop their practice, reflect on their work, take risks and engage critically with contemporary art.
Application Requirements
- Personal details
- Education information
- Application statement
- Four in-depth application questions, approximately 150 words each
- Portfolio/media submission
- Application fee or approved fee waiver
- Reference, only if shortlisted for interview
The portfolio must contain current finished work. Applicants should not submit preparatory work, sketchbook documentation or process walkthroughs at the application stage.
Portfolio limits are:
- Up to 16 individual images, or
- Up to 15 minutes of video, or
- A combination of images and video, with the total submission adjusted proportionally
The School does not accept PDF portfolios and requires one individual image per slide.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Deadline & Timeline
- Applications open: 14 September 2026
- Published application deadline: 14 December 2026
- Shortlisting: Following assessment of submitted applications
- Interview: Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview at a designated date and time
- Second-phase remote interview date: Not stated in the supplied source
- Admissions notification: Not stated in the supplied source
- Programme begins: October 2027
- Programme duration: Three years
References are requested only from applicants who are shortlisted for interview. Each shortlisted applicant may provide one reference.
Location
Royal Academy Schools, Royal Academy of Arts, London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The RA Schools is particularly suited to artists who are at a stage where they can benefit from three years of concentrated studio development. Applicants should be prepared to prioritize the programme over extensive external professional commitments.
Studio hours are generally 9:30–17:30, Monday–Friday, during term time. Students may work part-time, but the School expects paid employment to take place outside core studio hours, primarily evenings, weekends and vacations.
The RA Schools does not provide student accommodation. However, students who accept an offer can be connected with current students and graduates regarding potential housing opportunities.
For international applicants, immigration planning is especially important. The School cannot use the UK Student Visa route for this programme, and successful international applicants must have appropriate immigration permission covering the entire three-year programme.
The programme is also highly selective, with only 10–17 places available each year, making the quality and relevance of the portfolio particularly important.