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Legacy giving

Last updated 22 November 2024

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Leaving a gift in your Will to the RCA will provide vital financial support for students, creating pathways for those most in need to study towards extraordinary professional potential.

Founded in 1837 as a specialist, research-intensive postgraduate university based in the heart of London, the College provides around 2,800 students annually with unrivalled opportunities. The RCA has over 26,000 alumni internationally, forming a remarkable network of artists, designers and creators who innovate, challenge and inspire.

However, in recent years, the financial pressures faced by our students have grown significantly; currently 40% of applicants require some financial support to attend the RCA and currently, we can only offer scholarships to 14% of our students.

Please explore our legacy brochure, which provides insight into how you can help the next generation of creative leaders access the College’s world-class education.

Download the Legacy Gift brochure (PDF).

“As a place of boundless imagination and bold experimentation, the Royal College of Art is the leading university for art and design, home to one of the most creative communities anywhere in the world. I would like to ask you to consider leaving a charitable gift in your Will; it will cost you nothing in your lifetime, yet will have a lasting, transformative impact on future generations of students.”

Professor Christoph Lindner President & Vice-Chancellor

The impact of leaving a legacy to the RCA

Here, our students and alumni describe in their own words how important financial support has been to them:

‘One of my biggest dreams was to pursue postgraduate studies. Gaining a scholarship enables me to move to London and enrol on MA Contemporary Art Practice at the RCA. It has made me realise nothing is impossible’

– Asimakis Alexiou, Performing MA 2020, Leverhulme Arts Scholarship.

‘I won a travel scholarship, which was fantastic. It gave me as much paint and canvas as I needed. What I got from being there is my life. I’m a painter, and I learned to paint at the RCA, it’s fantastic.’

– RCA Alumna Dame Tracey Emin, Painting MA, 1989, recipient of the Ritblat Family Travel Scholarship

‘The international tuition was a tremendous burden and having that lifted with the financial support provided was incredible. It removed major stress that would have blocked creative energy and vision. The scholarship was an enormous boost in confidence. ’

– RCA Alumnus Jesse Cahn-Thompson, Information Experience Design MA, 2019, recipient of the Pokémon Scholarship

Legacy gifts from our supporters play a vital role in providing those most in need with access to the Royal College of Art’s world-class education.

You play a fundamental role in maintaining the diversity of the RCA’s talent pipeline providing resources that underpin student access to art and design education.

If you are considering leaving a gift to the RCA in your Will, we would be grateful if you would direct it towards the GenerationRCA Fund which will support brilliant students, from all backgrounds, for many generations to come.

Deciding to leave a gift in your Will is an extremely personal decision, and the RCA is dedicated to representing your wishes.

When you choose to leave the RCA a legacy gift the College promises to:

  • treat you and your family with courtesy, respect and honesty;
  • respect any changes you decide to make after pledging a gift in your Will.
  • handle any data you choose to provide, securely and confidentially; and
  • use your gift wisely and cost-efficiently so that it has the greatest possible impact

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you. Should this be of interest, please get in touch with Jessye Parke on [email protected].

Thank you for considering leaving a gift to the RCA.

Rebecca Preston
Director of Advancement & Alumni 

David Birch

Legacy Pledger, David Birch tells us why he has decided to include the College in his Will.

‘As an alumnus, graduating from the School of Ceramics in the 70s, I was fortunate in receiving a government grant. Studying at the College opened many doors for me later in life. I therefore feel it incumbent upon those of us who are able to contribute today, in whichever way possible, to help the next generation of talented students to have the opportunity and privilege to attend the world’s number one art school – the RCA!’

– RCA Alumnus David Birch, Ceramics & Glass MA, 1976, Founding Director of The London Pottery Co Ltd

Mike and Caroline Howes

Legacy Pledgers, Mike and Caroline Howes tell us why they have decided to include the College in their Will.

‘While evaluating RCA’s Ceramics & Glass as a potential recipient of a legacy from our Wills, we sought four explicit qualities: exemplary teaching/learning environment for tomorrow’s designer-makers; extensive collaboration with all the creative industries to prepare students for the realities of the market place; a global reach for all its enterprises to reinforce Britain’s cultural brand identity; and sufficient insight into the college’s philosophy and methodology to monitor our continuing commitment. In each regard we found that RCA measures up well.’

Thank you for your interest in including the Royal College of Art in your Will. Your support will enable the College to secure its future. The GenerationRCA Fund will help countless students in perpetuity.

If you would like to pledge a gift in your Will to the RCA or would like to find out more information about doing so, please contact Jessye Parke on [email protected] with any enquiries or complete the digital form.

Complete the digital Legacy Gift form (PDF)