Organizer Information
The Royal College of Art (RCA) is the world's leading post-graduate art and design university, located in London, United Kingdom. Consistently ranked number one internationally for Art & Design in the QS World University Rankings, the RCA provides a research-intensive, interdisciplinary environment across three iconic London campuses in Battersea, Kensington, and White City. The institution nurtures exceptional creative talent across fine arts, design, media, architecture, and humanities, fostering innovation and global artistic leadership.
Key Information
- Official Program Title: Royal College of Art Scholarships and Awards (Academic Merit, Financial Need, GREAT Scholarships, & Under-represented Group Awards)
- Program Type: Fellowship / Grant / Scholarship (MA, MFA, MEd, MRes, MPhil, PhD)
- Institution Name: Royal College of Art (RCA)
- Country / City: London, United Kingdom
- Academic Field: Fine Arts, Curating, Contemporary Art Practice, Visual Communication, Animation, Architecture, Fashion, Design Products, Film, Media, and Cultural Studies
- Language of Degree: English
- Number of Open Study Places: Max. 24 new award recipients per specific scholarship category (Over 400 total funding awards distributed annually across all postgraduate cohorts)
- Application Period: Round 1: October – December | Round 2: January – February (Scholarship portal opens in Spring for offer holders)
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: February – April (conducted as part of initial MA/MFA/PhD programme entry)
- Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Late May – June (Scholarship award notifications)
- Application Deadline: Course Application: December / February | Scholarship Form Deadline: Early May
- Start of Studies Date: Late September / October
- Tuition: Home (UK) fees: ~£14,000 – £15,500 per year | Overseas (International) fees: ~£35,000 – £38,000 per year (varies by program level)
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Accepted Academic Backgrounds: Accredited undergraduate degree holders (BA, BFA, BSc, or equivalent) in fine art, design, architecture, humanities, media studies, or relevant interdisciplinary backgrounds.
- Preferred Disciplines: Painting, Sculpture, Contemporary Art Practice, Ceramics & Glass, Print, Curating Contemporary Art, Visual Communication, Animation, Digital Direction, Architecture, Interior Design, Fashion, and Textiles.
- Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Candidates from non-traditional or non-art academic backgrounds are fully eligible. Portfolio strength, creative potential, and critical commitment weigh heavily in assessment.
- Portfolio Relevance: Essential. Programme selection and merit scholarship evaluation depend heavily on the strength of the submitted digital portfolio.
General Eligibility
- Who Can Apply?: Both UK (Home status) and International (Overseas status) offer holders.
- Age Restrictions: None.
- Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Open to recent university graduates as well as mid-career artists, practitioners, and researchers.
- Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: Merit-based scholarships are evaluated directly from the candidate’s programme application portfolio and interview performance.
Educational Background
- Required Minimum Degree:
- Master’s Programs (MA/MFA/MRes): Recognized bachelor's degree (BA, BFA, or equivalent).
- Doctoral Programs (MPhil/PhD): Master's degree (MA, MFA, MSc) or equivalent professional/research background.
- Accepted Fields of Study: Open to all disciplines in the arts, design, humanities, and sciences.
- Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Significant professional experience and a strong creative portfolio may be accepted in place of formal undergraduate qualifications.
- Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: Applicants who do not secure an official offer of admission for an eligible RCA taught or research program are ineligible.
Language Proficiency Requirement
- Required Language(s): English.
- Minimum Test Scores:
- IELTS Academic / UKVI: Minimum overall score of 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in other sub-bands; requirements vary slightly by program).
- Waiver Conditions: Native English speakers or applicants who have completed a full degree instructed in English in an exempt majority English-speaking nation are exempt from submitting English test results.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
- Nationality Restrictions: None (Specific named scholarships, such as GREAT Scholarships, may target specific nationalities e.g., India, Turkey, China).
- Work or Research Experience Requirements: Prior creative output or professional practice as detailed in the applicant's CV and personal portfolio.
- Portfolio / Research Proposal Expectations: Candidates applying for Financial Need / Under-represented Group scholarships must complete a single online scholarship form including personal statements and socioeconomic eligibility verification.
- Visa or Institutional Constraints: International recipients must qualify for a UK Student Visa, including meeting financial capability requirements for living expenses.
Tuition
| Category | Cost / Financial Details |
| Home (UK) Tuition Fee | ~£14,000 – £15,500 per year (depending on program duration and track) |
| Overseas (International) Tuition Fee | ~£35,000 – £38,000 per year |
| Additional Mandatory Costs | Specialist studio materials, fabrication costs, site visits, and living expenses in London |
| Funding Award Types | Awards range from partial fee discounts (£5,000 – £10,000) to full tuition coverage and maintenance stipends |
Funding & Financial Support
- Scholarships (Full / Partial):
- Academic Merit Scholarships: Automatic consideration for high-achieving Round 1 & Round 2 offer holders.
- RCA Financial Need Awards: Partial to full tuition fee waivers based on socio-economic evaluation.
- GREAT Scholarships: £10,000 tuition fee reductions awarded in partnership with the British Council.
- Grants / Stipends: Full-ride awards including maintenance stipends toward London living costs for select hardship and under-represented group cohorts.
- Teaching or Research Assistantships: Opportunities for doctoral (PhD) candidates to undertake paid teaching or technical demonstration assistantships.
- Studio / Production Funding: Access to specialized equipment labs, rapid prototyping, printmaking, and studio spaces covered within program registration.
University Services & Academic Support
- Studio / Lab Access: World-class dedicated studio spaces, digital manufacturing facilities, robotics workshops, dye labs, printmaking suites, and 3D fabrication plants across Battersea, Kensington, and White City campuses.
- Research Supervision: Direct supervision and critique from internationally recognized artists, designers, curators, and theorists.
- Mentorship Programs: Access to visiting artists, industry networks, and specialized career incubation advice.
- Career Services: Dedicated support via InnovationRCA (commercialization and business incubation) and UAL/RCA career advisory units.
- Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Annual RCA Degree Show, public gallery exhibitions, and international institutional residency exchanges.
- Library / Archive Access: Comprehensive art and design libraries, special collections, color archives, and digital resource databases.
- International Student Support Services: Dedicated visa advice, orientation, student welfare support, and specialized academic English writing aid.
Application Requirements
- Program Admission Offer: Secure an unconditional or conditional offer of study for an eligible RCA Master's or Doctoral program (applied in Round 1 or Round 2).
- Online Scholarship Application: A unified online scholarship application form sent to eligible offer holders in Spring.
- Personal Statement / Socioeconomic Form: Completion of scholarship statements addressing financial need, barriers to higher education, and creative goals.
- Supporting Financial Evidence: Proof of income, means-tested benefits, care experience, or local financial hardship documentation (if applying under financial need categories).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) & Portfolio: Submitted during the initial program application stage.
How to Apply?
- Apply for admission to a postgraduate degree program at the RCA by the Round 1 or Round 2 deadline.
- Academic Merit scholarships are assessed automatically from your course application — no separate application required.
- For Financial Need and Under-represented Group scholarships, offer holders receive an invitation link in Spring to submit a single online scholarship application before the May deadline.
Deadline & Timeline
- Course Application Deadlines:
- Round 1: Mid-December
- Round 2: Mid-February
- Scholarship Portal Deadline: Early May (12:00 midday UK time)
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: February – April (Course entry interviews)
- Notification Date: Late May – June
- Start of Studies Date: Late September / October
Location
In-Person: Royal College of Art, Battersea Campus (153–157 Battersea Bridge Rd), Kensington Campus (Jay Mews), or White City Campus (Dorando Close), London, United Kingdom.
Additional Details
Applicants who rely on an RCA scholarship to fund their studies and are unable to pay the initial acceptance deposit can apply for Temporary Deposit Exemption status while their scholarship application is being assessed. Only one consolidated scholarship form needs to be completed, which considers the candidate for all eligible internal awards.