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Royal College of Art: Courses, Admission, Cost
Talk to Expert
- About Royal College of Art
- Royal College of Art Programs
- Royal College of Art Scholarships 2024
- Royal College of Art Admission Dates 2024
- Royal College of Art Fees, Duration & Entry Requirements 2024
- RCA College comparison
- Study in UK
- RCA FAQs
About Royal College of Art
For Royal College of Art admissions, students must apply within the application deadlines listed below:
- MA/MSc, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes Program: Feb 14, 2024
- MPhil & PhD: Feb 14, 2024
- Graduate Diploma Art & Design: Apr 8, 2024
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Q: Is it expensive to study in the Royal College of Art?
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:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
M.A. (9 courses) | INR 33 L - 40 L |
MS (2 courses) | INR 38 L |
M.Arch (4 courses) | INR 28 L - 38 L |
M.A.0 (1 course) | INR 40 L |
Q: How can I get scholarships to study at Royal College of Arts?
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.
Q: Is it hard to get into the Royal College of Arts?
With an acceptance rate of merely 28%, Royal College of Art is a very competitive college to get into. This figure tells us that RCA accepts approximately only 28 out of every 100 applicants on an average. However, students must not feel discouraged and fulfill all the Royal College of Art admission requirements, ie; academic requirements, English language requirements & more in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in RCA. Candidates must be aware of the application deadlines and apply to the college correctly, along with submitting all the relevant requirements.
Note: The data is derived from unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.
Q: What GPA do you need for Royal College of Art?
Royal College of Art in United Kingdom requires a minimum GPA of 3 in order to stand a good chance to get admission into Royal College of Art.This GPA requirement underscores the institution commitment to academic excellence and high standards in terms of GPA. Irrespective of that To be admitted to Royal College of Art, it is recommended to have a strong academic profile, including competitive scores . But the admission process at the university takes a holistic approach, considering multiple factors in the student's profile. These factors include Leadership, Work experience, essays, LOR and interviews that the students give during their admission process.
Q: How can I apply to the Royal College of Art?
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.
Royal College of Art Programs
Royal College of Art programs are available in various postgraduate courses such as Graduate Diploma, MA, MArch, MEd, MFA, MDes, MRes, MPhil and PhD degree programs across the disciplines of Art & Design through four academic schools, namely School of Architecture, School of Arts & Humanities, School of Communication, and School of Design.
| Royal College of Art Programs for International Students | |
|---|---|
|
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
|
| Textiles |
|
12.4K+ students got admitted through us.
12.4K+ students got admitted through us.
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We can fast-track your application in a week.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Q: What can international students study in the Royal College of Arts?
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.
Q: How is the Royal College of Art in London for an MA in Service Design?
Royal College of Art is considered to be one of the best global Art & Design schools and is renowned worldwide for its Master's programs, including the MA in Service Design. RCA is well known for its cutting-edge design and innovation, and this is also true of its Service Design program. It's Service Design programme emphasizes practical, hands-on experience and collaboration with industry partners, preparing students for careers in designing and delivering services that meet user needs. Additionally, due to RCA's central location in London, students have easy access to a multitude of networks and resources. Instructors at RCA are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the field of service design, and they bring a wealth of practical knowledge and industry expertise to the classroom. Many RCA graduates go on to have successful careers in service design and related fields, making up the large and influential alumni network of the school. Overall, students planning to pursue MA in Service Design must consider Royal College of Art for their higher studies in UK.
Royal College of Art Scholarships 2024
Royal College of Art offers generous scholarships to their international students, on the basis of academic merit. Students are automatically considered for RCA scholarships, hence no separate application is required.
Most of the scholarships are aimed at MA level study, though there are also scholarships available for Graduate Diploma, MFA, MDes, MPhil, MRes, MArch, MEd and PhD. Types of scholarships offered at RCA are inclusive of Full fee payment plus living costs, Full fee payment, Partial fee payment, or Contributions to living costs.
Royal College of Art Scholarships for International Students
- Deputy Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship;
- Anne Tyrell Design Award;
- Burberry Design Scholarship;
- GREAT Scholarships; and
- Power Scholarship.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Q: Does the Royal College of Art offer scholarships for international students?
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:
| Scholarship Name | Disbursement Amount |
|---|---|
| Deputy Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship | £7,000 |
| Anne Tyrell Design Award | £4,000 |
| Burberry Design Scholarship | Full fees & Maintenance |
| GREAT Scholarships | £10,000 |
| Power Scholarship | £5,000 |
Q: Do universities in UK offer scholarships to international students?
Various universities in the UK offer scholarships to international students. Given below is a list of the scholarships offered by the UK universities.
Scholarship Name | Offered by | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
Rhodes Scholarship – MBA | University of Oxford | Around INR 90 L |
Felix Scholarships - MBA | University of Oxford | Around INR 75 L |
Kent Graduate Scholarship | University of Kent | Around INR 3 L |
Gates Cambridge Scholarship - MBA | University of Cambridge | Around INR 87 L |
WBS Scholarship | University of Warwick | Around INR 25 L |
Also Read: UK Scholarships for Indian Students
Royal College of Art Admission Dates 2024
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.
Royal College of Art Application Deadlines for International Students
| Course Level |
Application Deadlines
|
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma Art & Design |
Apr 8, 2024
|
| MA/MSc, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes Program |
Feb 14, 2024
|
| MPhil & PhD |
Feb 14, 2024
|
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Documents| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|---|
| SOP | Not required |
| LOR | Not required |
| Essays | Not required |
| CV | Not required |
| Additional documents | Required |
Important dates| Intake season | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | 14ᵗʰ Feb 2024 |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Q: What are the Royal College of Art application deadlines 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, 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:
| Course Level | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma Art & Design | Apr 8, 2024 |
| MA/MSc, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes Program | Feb 14, 2024 |
| MPhil & PhD | Feb 14, 2024 |
Q: What is the Royal College of Art acceptance rate?
As per the data derived from unofficial sources, only 28 out of every 100 applicants get enrolled as a student at the Royal College of Art. This makes RCA a very competitive institution to get into, with an acceptance rate of 28%. However, students must not feel discouraged and fulfill all the Royal College of Art admission requirements academic requirements, English language requirements & relevant documents in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in RCA.
Note: The data is derived from unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.
Q: Which documents do I need to submit while applying to the Royal College of Art?
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 Art Fees, Duration & Entry Requirements 2024
Royal College of Art Admission Requirements for International Students
- Bachelor's degree;
- IELTS score;
- Personal Statement (SOP);
- Recommendation Letter (LOR); and
- Portfolio.
Royal College of Art English Language Requirements
Royal College of Art accepts IELTS score as a proof of proficiency in the English language. Students can refer to the table below for minimum score requirements:
| Course Level |
IELTS Minimum Score Required
|
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma Programs |
Overall score of 5.5
(with minimum 5.5 in all bands)
|
|
MA, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes Programs |
Overall score of 6.5
(with minimum 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills)
|
|
MPhil Programs |
Overall score of 6.5
(with minimum 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in other skills)
|
|
PhD Programs |
Overall score of 7.0
(with minimum 7.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills)
|
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
M.A.(10 courses) | INR 33 L - 41 L | Duration: 45 weeks-1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
M.Arch(4 courses) | INR 29 L - 38 L | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
MS(2 courses) | INR 38 L | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
MFA(1 course) | INR 41 L | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Q: What are the Royal College of Art admission requirements for international students?
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.
Q: What is the Royal College of Arts cost of living for international students?
Royal College of Arts offers on-campus accommodation facilities to their overseas students, which comprise of various amenities. Listed below are the Royal College of Art cost of living for international students:
- Rent: £15,600/£240–300
- Food: £2,600/£50
- Household goods: £1,040/£20
- Household bills: £2,080/£40
- Insurance: £86.32/£1.66
- Personal items: £1,560/£30 (clothing, mobile phone bills, medical expenses, toiletries, and other small personal items)
- Leisure items: £1,560/£30 (hobbies, sports, entertainment subscriptions, and social and cultural activities)
- Course materials: £2,800/£52
- Travel: £2,080/£40
Q: What are the Royal College of Art English language requirements?
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:
| Course Level | IELTS Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma Programs | Overall score of 5.5 (with minimum 5.5 in all bands) |
MA, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes Programs | Overall score of 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills) |
MPhil Programs | Overall score of 6.5 (with minimum 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in other skills) |
PhD Programs | Overall score of 7.0 (with minimum 7.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills) |
Q: How can I get into the Royal College of Art master's courses?
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.
RCACollege comparison
Compare RCA with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Shiksha Grade | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
RCA | INR 33.39 L - 40.99 L | -/- | -/- |
UAL  Compare | INR 19.48 L - 30.34 L | C++ | #13 Guardian, 2025 |
Breda University of Applied Sciences Compare | INR 13.43 L | C+ | #364 QS, 2025 |
UCA Compare | INR 15.66 L - 19.64 L | C+ | #85 CUG, 2025 |
New York Film Academy Compare | INR 39.74 L - 41.08 L | -/- | -/- |
Study in UK
United Kingdom is one of the most sought-after choices among international students. The reasons for this country to be a top choice among international students are the presence of top-ranked universities in the world, availability of diverse courses, part-time work opportunities, availability of scholarships, etc.
There are over 165 universities in the UK. It is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, The University of Edinburgh, UCL, etc. Some of the popular courses in the UK are BBA, MIM, BE / BTech, MSc, MBA / PGDM. According to a local daily, nearly 5 lakh students were given visas last year. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, in 2022, the estimated number of Indian students studying in the UK is above 55,000.
Check all the details about Study in UK from here
Key Facts About UK
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Commonly asked questions On Study in Country
Q: Which are some of the top-ranked universities in UK?
Some of the top-ranked universities in the UK are the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Warwick, etc. Check the table given below to know about the ranking of these top-ranked universities:
University | QS World University Rankings 2025 | THE World University Ranking 2024 |
|---|---|---|
#2 | #8 | |
#3 | #1 | |
#5 | #5 | |
#9 | #22 | |
#27 | #30 | |
#34 | #51 | |
#40 | #38 | |
#50 | #46 | |
#54 | #81 | |
#69 | #106 |
Q: How much does a UK student visa cost for Indian students?
International students who want to pursue higher education in the UK must have a UK Student Visa, previously called as Tier 4 (General) Student Visa or Tier 4 Student Visa. For overseas applicants, the UK Student Visa fee is GBP 490 (INR 53.3 K). Some of the important documents required to apply for a UK Student Visa are a completed student visa application form, proof of parent’s or guardian’s consent, original mark sheets / provisional certificates, proof of funds, etc.
Conversion Rate: 1 GBP = INR 108.85
Q: Do universities in UK offer scholarships to international students?
Various universities in the UK offer scholarships to international students. Given below is a list of the scholarships offered by the UK universities.
Scholarship Name | Offered by | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
Rhodes Scholarship – MBA | University of Oxford | Around INR 90 L |
Felix Scholarships - MBA | University of Oxford | Around INR 75 L |
Kent Graduate Scholarship | University of Kent | Around INR 3 L |
Gates Cambridge Scholarship - MBA | University of Cambridge | Around INR 87 L |
WBS Scholarship | University of Warwick | Around INR 25 L |
Also Read: UK Scholarships for Indian Students
RCA FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of studying at the Royal College of Art?
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.
Q: Does RCA have application fee?
The Royal College of Art application fee for international students is 348GBP (INR 36,612.74). This fee is typically non-refundable and covers the cost of processing and viewing the applications. It is important to note that the Application fee differs from the other fees. However, the application fee might vary depending on the intake, and it’s suggested that students should check the official for more information depending on the course and requirements.
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