Eligibility and key dates

The RCA welcomes applications from talented, creative individuals from all over the world. Many are from backgrounds you might expect such as art, design, architecture, communications, media and humanities. Others come from disciplines as broad as engineering, social sciences, computer science, toolmaking, medicine, business, law, physics, life coaching, economics, teaching, music... the list is endless.

What RCA students share is the potential, commitment and ambition to make change in the world through art and design.

You'll need to fulfil specific academic criteria in order to apply for our programmes. Our programme pages explain the requirements for each programme.

Graduate Diploma Art & Design

If you feel you are not quite prepared to apply for an MA or MRes, we invite you to apply for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design pre-Master’s programme. Applicants come from an variety of backgrounds and disciplines and all applications are evaluated on their individual merits.

Taught Master's

Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process will consider creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high MA/MRes standards overall.

Postgraduate research

Our MPhil and PhD programmes welcome applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds.

Please note:

• Applicants are only permitted to register once in the application portal. Creating multiple accounts may result in the rejection of all applications submitted by that applicant.
• An applicant may not apply for the same programme more than once in the 2024 admissions year.
• Applicants can apply for a maximum of two (2) different programmes in the 2024 admissions year. A separate portfolio submission is required for each programme applied for. If your application is unsuccessful the College may refer your application to another suitable programme for consideration.

Therefore, if you wish to apply for more than one programme, please ensure that you carefully consider which two programmes you wish to apply for.

For the 2024 admissions year you can apply for your programme of interest via our online application portal. All times shown are UK time, you can find out UK time in your timezone using timeanddate.com. You can also register to join an online or on-campus open day to find out more about programmes, entry requirements and the application process.

Graduate Diploma Art & Design

Applications are currently open for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design intake in September 2024. The application deadline is 9 August 2024 at 12 noon (GMT).

MA/MSc, MArch, MDes, MEd, MFA and MRes

The RCA receives thousands of applications each year, so we encourage you to complete your application as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing an offer of study. Key dates and deadlines for programmes beginning in September 2024 are given below.

Round 3 (open)

Application open: 14 February 2024
Deadline: 14 August 2024, 12 noon, UK time or when sufficient offer acceptances are received
Notification of outcome: Please allow at least six weeks from the date of your application
Offer acceptance deadline: Five weeks from date of offer

Round 2 (closed)

Deadline: Wednesday 14 February 2024, 12 noon, UK time
Notification of outcome: from Wednesday 27 March 2024
Offer acceptance deadline: Five weeks from date of offer

Round 1 (closed)

Deadline: Wednesday 11 October 2023, 12 noon, UK time
Notification of outcome: from Wednesday 15 November 2023
Offer acceptance deadline: Five weeks from date of offer

MPhil and PhD

Research degrees at the RCA are very popular and supervisory capacity is filled quickly, so we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible. Key dates are below and subsequent application rounds will be held for programmes with remaining places.

Please note applications for Arts & Humanities MPhil/PhD are now closed.

Round 2

Applications open: Wednesday 14 February 2024, 5.00pm, UK time
Deadline: 28 June 2024, 12noon, UK time
Notification of outcome: applications will be considered on a rolling basis
Offer acceptance deadline: Five weeks after the date of offer.

Round 1 (closed)
Deadline: Wednesday 11 October 2023, 12 noon, UK time
Notification of outcome: from Wednesday 15 November 2023
Offer acceptance deadline: Five weeks from date of offer

In addition to the RCA’s minimum requirements, students who need a Student Visa for their studies at the RCA will need to show that they have met Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance. Further information can be found here.

You can find details of future term dates, holidays and College opening hours at Teaching dates & College hours.