Overview
Shaping the future through design
Key details
- 240 credits
- 2 year programme
- Full-time study
School or Centre
Location
- Kensington
Next open event
- 25 Jan 2025
- Visit Open Day
Round 1 application deadline
- 13 Jan 2025
An ambitious re-imagining of architectural practices.
- Benefit from our interdisciplinary ethos that offers an original way to conduct practice-based, design-led research in this field.
- Study a programme which fosters an inclusive, critical and responsive context in which architecture is explored as a medium, rather than a goal.
- Engage with the intergenerational concerns and conditions that define our era.
Inequalities. Global imbalance. Environmental collapse. Architecture is entangled and implicated within our contemporary world. There has never been a more urgent time to critically reflect on the ethical dilemmas that are embedded in the discipline and to forge new paths to create meaningful change. We seek to understand architecture through a new set of conditions. Joining us, you’ll be part of a programme that tackles pressing political, social, and ecological questions, empowering you to redefine your practice and contribute to positive change in the world.
Accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) our two-year Part II MA is at the forefront of architectural education practice. You’ll be given space to follow your own direction and explore experimental techniques, all within a supportive and research-informed space.
Focus on real-world dynamics
We offer a supportive community in which to explore contemporary issues and transform your approach to spatial practice. Learning through lectures, seminars, tutorials, readings, and workshops led by a diverse set of practitioners and thinkers with unique experience and expertise. You will be asked to challenge previous assumptions and try new approaches, to embrace reflective research and to deepen your understanding of complex issues, and to redefine what architecture can be.
Preparing you for the future, we’ll cover all the relevant criteria for professional Part 2 qualification. But you’ll also learn to work in a critical way, with the benefits that come from being part of an interdisciplinary art and design school.
Graduates not only go on to work in leading architecture practices as well as start their own, but also to research, write and exhibit around architecture, and to work in many related fields such as planning, policy, gaming, animation, theatre, film, and fine arts.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) part II and Architects Registration Board (ARB) validated since 1983.
For more information on professional architectural education and on entering the professional Architects Register please refer to:
Gallery
Staff
Facilities
The School of Architecture is currently based at our historic Kensington site.
View all facilitiesOur studios are the heart of day-to-day activity for the School. Studios are purpose-designed for inspiration and interaction between students of different design disciplines. Studio workspace is provided for each student. In addition, you have access to wood, metal, plastic and resin workshop facilities, as well as contemporary digital fabrication equipment and a suite of bookable project and making spaces.
Our alumni
Our alumni form an international network of creative individuals who have shaped and continue to shape the world. Click on each name to find out more.
Where will the RCA take you?Student and alumni stories
More details on what you'll study.
Find out what you'll cover in this programme.
What you'll cover
Architectural Design Studios
The core of the learning process lies in project-based activities taught in the first-and second-year Design Studio units. This is conducted through a vertically integrated unit system of Architectural Design Studios (ADS) with diverse and innovative positions on contemporary architectural practice that constantly inspire, challenge, motivate, and support each student's individual approach.
Each ADS has two to three dedicated tutors, a unique outlook on architecture, thematic interests and corresponding skill sets that establishes a pedagogical framework articulated through the ADS brief. In their respective ways, each challenges the role of the architect and how architectural design can embody this response in an experimental and practical way. The interests of the respective studios span major theoretical and practice-based aspects of architecture today.
Important to the ADS structure is peer learning, with first- and second-year students working alongside one another. The community of students in each ADS is itself an essential structure of the learning environment. The student desks and working space is arranged loosely according to ADS to foster collective work and engagement.
First year
Year 1
Studio I, Studio II & Studio III units
You will be taught in the same Architectural Design Studio (ADS) for the full academic year for Studio I, II & III, with each unit a progression from one to another, supporting you to develop a detailed and sophisticated design response to your own field of enquiry. This project also serves as the basis for your technical studies. In developing your project topic and design, your studio tutors may set smaller exercises and briefs that inform the overall project. As part of the studio practice and research we encourage all ADS to engage externally through the live project, partnering outside the institution and exploring the public role of the work.
Studio I forms the basis for the briefing and strategy for the Studio II & Studio III project. Studio II develops the project of Studio I, while Studio III is the final development of the individual design project initiated in Studio I and developed over terms 2 & 3.
Technical Studies I & Technical Studies II units
Technical Studies is developed in relation to the year 1 studio project conducted in Studios I, II & III.
Technical Studies II builds on the work of Technical Studies I and shows the development and collation of the technical proposals into the Technical Studies Journal, which is submitted in term 3.
Technical Studies assesses the development and integration of technical knowledge and skills in the design process, establishing the successful coordination between design intention and conceptual frameworks and the requirements of structure, construction, environment, life-safety and policy.
Media Studies I
Situated in the School of Architecture and welcoming a student cohort from across multiple spatial design disciplines, Media Studies provides a rigorous and granular examination of historical and contemporary methodologies of media practice and research. Our collective goal is to increase critical engagement with media. We achieve this through lectures, tutorials, and workshops in which new approaches to media are conceptualised, refined, and implemented in innovative proposals and projects.
Second year
Professional Practice Studies
Professional Practice Studies gives you an understanding of the professional duties and responsibilities of the Architect and the pathway to registration for UK architectural practice. It introduces the planning, policy, procurement processes, legal frameworks relevant to the profession, and business management principles. You are encouraged to examine the agency afforded by these frameworks to shape their chosen forms of practice and career path and your ethical responsibility in practice concerning social and environmental sustainability, health and life safety.
Design Strategy
The unit provides the intellectual, technical, and professional foundation for the Independent Research Project. You will define a research area and research question, then outline a clear design strategy and a working methodology that translates these questions into a design response.
History & Theory Studies
The History Theory Studies (HTS) unit enables you to identify a personal position through engagement with a broader cultural framework in support of the independent research project. The unit helps you build a systematic understanding of the history of modern architecture, constructing a shared knowledge, methodology and vocabulary so that you can define your position and lines of research enquiry.
Studio IV & Independent Research Project
In this unit, you will independently develop a design response to the research question identified in the Design Strategy unit.
The thesis project builds on your skills, knowledge and experience, developed throughout the programme, to develop a mature and sophisticated design project that identifies your practice within the field.
Successful projects will develop a spatial proposition in response to a straightforward research question you identified, developed, and tested against a context and set of parameters you've specified.
Projects are to be presented and represented in the most effective means to communicate project intent and agency within the field, capitalising on the diverse resources of the College.
Elective Units
The elective units allow second-year students to choose between two possible electives of 15-credits to further deepen an aspect of their research and practice.
History & Theory Studies II builds on the lectures and seminars of History & Theory I into a rigorous theoretical exploration of the student’s chosen topic. This unit enables you to identify a personal position through engagement with a broader cultural framework in support of the independent research project.
Media Studies II (elective) builds on the work of Media Studies I in the first year to support you in developing your own personal position towards the mediation of your practice.
AcrossRCA
AcrossRCA is a compulsory 30-credit unit which is delivered as part of all MA programmes.
Situated at the core of your RCA experience, this ambitious interdisciplinary College-wide unit supports you in responding to the challenges of complex, uncertain and changing physical and digital worlds. Developed in response to student feedback, AcrossRCA creates an exciting opportunity for you to collaborate meaningfully across programmes.
Challenging you to use your imagination and intellect to respond to urgent contemporary themes, this ambitious unit will provide you with the opportunity to:
- make connections across disciplines
- think critically about your creative practice
- develop creative networks within and beyond the College
- generate innovative responses to complex problems
- reflect on how to propose ideas for positive change in local and/or global contexts
AcrossRCA launches with a series of presentations and panel discussions from acclaimed speakers who will introduce the themes and act as inspirational starting points for your collaborative team response.
Delivered online and in-person across two terms, the unit has been designed to complement your disciplinary studies and to provide you with a platform to thrive beyond graduation.
Practice mentors
In your second year, you will be offered the opportunity to engage with practice mentors. This enables you to map shared research themes as well as developing a greater understanding of the diverse range of industry activity.
Exposure to and understanding of the working methods, approach and environment of each practice supports you in being reflective on their own emerging practice methods.
The mentoring scheme offers you another voice on your student work but can also offer guidance on professional development and industry engagement.
This initiative recognises the value of the collaborative networks that drive our students and continues the tradition of linking architectural education with industry as first established by the Royal College of Art, as a direct descendant of the Government School of Design, in 1837.
Requirements
What you need to know before you apply
The MA Architecture programme prioritises innovation and experimentation and we are looking for students with a strong sense of curiosity, independence and agenda who want to be challenged. The majority of our students come from undergraduate studies in architecture, but this is not essential and we enjoy a diverse community of students. We also strongly encourage a minimum of one year’s work experience (in a related field) before entering into Master’s studies.
You should have achieved a high quality first degree in architecture (RIBA Part I) or an international equivalent degree or higher and should have at least one year’s work experience in a design office. Alternative undergraduate qualifications will be considered based on portfolio and personal statement.
You are required to submit a completed RCA MA application form, a digital portfolio of completed student projects together with any relevant supporting design material, and a brief video setting out your motivations and personal interests. If you wish to gain exemption from RIBA Part II, you must have completed their RIBA Part I satisfactorily. Design and critical thinking are prioritised in the selection of candidates.
What's needed from you
Portfolio requirements
- We would like you to submit a one single compiled PDF portfolio with no more than 5 projects of maximum ten pages per project – this should be a carefully considered document.
- Video/media files can be embedded. The portfolio can be evidenced through any media from drawings, images and models to film and writing, but the work must be succinct, dense and well-curated and clearly articulate your interest in and intentions for the MA Architecture programme.
- Remember, we will be viewing the document on screen so consider your layout to suit this. In curating your portfolio it is important to prioritise student and independently-led work; professional work is only of interest if it was an exceptional experience.
- All projects should be accompanied by a concise written description and images and content carefully selected to both communicate a coherent project trajectory and also demonstrate skills and aptitude.
- Your portfolio should communicate who you are and your potential. It is important to choose the best projects that truly represent your interests, that unpack issues that are important to you or that you may wish to pursue in your Master's education. Work should be well presented visually and also in depth of content and communication.
- Fundamental to any work included in the portfolio should be research, rigour, invention and visually and materially rich design exploration and representation. Impress us!
Personal statement
Please provide a 300-word written personal statement that addresses the following points:
- Introduce yourself, your interests and your motivations for applying to the Royal College of Art, and to this programme in particular.
- Briefly summarise any educational background and professional experience to date that will support your application.
- Tell us what you want to do in the future.
Your journey: video requirements
- We ask that you upload a two-minute video recorded on your phone or laptop, speaking to us directly. High production qualities are not needed. We will review the work in your portfolio, so keep your video simple.
- It is important to hear about your work in your own words and to understand the process and intentions of the project, along with critical reflections on the work, but the format and content are up to you.
- We want to understand what you hope to achieve at the RCA and your potential contribution, and the unique perspective that you can bring to the programme.
- While the video can be personal in character, the content should always be centred on the work.
- Remember, this is your key moment to communicate to us who you are and what you can bring to the programme – make it count!
English-language requirements
If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic or UKVI score of 6.5 with a 6.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE) and at least 5.5 in other skills. Students achieving a grade of at least 6.0, with a grade of 5.5 in the Test of Written English, may be eligible to take the College’s English for Academic Purposes course to enable them to reach the required standard.
You are exempt from this requirement if you have received a 2.1 degree or above from a university in a majority English-speaking nation within the last five years.
If you need a Student Visa to study at the RCA, you will also need to meet the Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance.
Fees & funding
For this programme
Fees for new students
Fees for UK for September 2025 entry are given below.
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Overseas and EU
Deposit
New overseas and EU entrants to the College will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to secure their place. This will be offset against the tuition fees.
Overseas and EU
Progression discount
For alumni and students who have completed an RCA Graduate Diploma and progress onto an RCA Master's programme – MA, MA/MSc, MFA, MDes, MArch, MEd or MRes – within 10 years, a progression discount of £1,000 is available.
* Total cost is based on the assumption that the programme is completed in the timeframe stated in the programme details. Additional study time may incur additional charges.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The RCA scholarship programme is growing, with hundreds of financial awards planned for the 2025/6 academic year. See pr
Applying for a scholarship
You must hold an offer to study on an RCA programme in order to make a scholarship application. A selection of RCA merit scholarships will also be awarded with programme offers.
We strongly recommend that you apply for your programme as early as possible to stand the best chance of receiving a scholarship. You do not apply directly for individual awards; instead, you will be invited to apply once you have received an offer.
More information
Additional fees
In addition to your programme fees, please be aware that you may incur other additional costs associated with your study during your time at RCA. Additional costs can include purchases and services (without limitation): costs related to the purchase of books, paints, textiles, wood, metal, plastics and/or other materials in connection with your programme, services related to the use of printing and photocopying, lasercutting, 3D printing and CNC. Costs related to attending compulsory field trips, joining student and sport societies, and your Convocation (graduation) ceremony.
If you wish to find out more about what type of additional costs you may incur while studying on your programme, please contact the Head of your Programme to discuss or ask at an online or in person Open Day.
We provide the RCASHOP online, and at our Kensington and Battersea Campuses – this is open to students and staff of the Royal College of Art only to provide paid for materials to support your studies.
We also provide support to our students who require financial assistance whilst studying, including a dedicated Materials Fund.
External funding
There are many funding sources, with some students securing scholarships and others saving money from working. It is impossible to list all the potential funding sources; however, the following information could be useful.
Payments
Tuition fees are due on the first day of the academic year and students are sent an invoice prior to beginning their studies. Payments can be made in advance, on registration or in two instalments.
Start your application
Change your life and be here in 2025. Applications now open.
The Royal College of Art welcomes applicants from all over the world.
Before you begin
Make sure you've read and understood the entrance requirements and key dates.
More information about eligibility and key datesCheck you have all the information you need to apply. Choose the programme you want to apply to and review programme-specific entrance and portfolio requirements on the programme page.
Read our application process guideConsider attending an Open Day, or one of our portfolio or application advice sessions.
See upcoming sessionsPlease note, all applications must be submitted by 12 noon on the given deadline.
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Get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions.
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