The Royal College of Art teaches only postgraduates, which sets it apart from most leading art schools. Its oldest site is in Kensington, next to the Royal Albert Hall; in Battersea, on the south bank of the Thames, the Dyson and Woo buildings hold design and fine art studios, and there is a further site at White City. Students come for MA courses across fine art, design, architecture and communication, and for Innovation Design Engineering, run with Imperial College London. The RCA has topped the QS ranking for art and design for years.
London, United Kingdom
Official website: rca.ac.uk
Ranked 1st in the world for many years
Postgraduate only
Kensington, Battersea and White City
1837
£30,000 – £42,000
International students, taught MA programmes
£16,000 – £21,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on rca.ac.uk before you apply.
MA Innovation Design Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5
MA Architecture
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5
MA Contemporary Art Practice
Masters DegreeDuration
Up to 24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5
MA Fashion
Masters DegreeDuration
Up to 24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5
MA Service Design
Masters DegreeDuration
Up to 24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5
Postgraduate-only teaching in art, design and architecture.
Innovation Design Engineering, run jointly with Imperial College London.
Studios in Battersea's Dyson and Woo buildings.
Graduates work as artists, product and fashion designers, architects and design researchers.
Many start studios and companies, with support from the college's InnovationRCA programme.
Graduates can stay in the UK on the Graduate visa after their course.
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Winter, apply early
The Kensington site is on Kensington Gore beside the Royal Albert Hall, with Hyde Park across the road. The Battersea studios are by the river near Battersea Park.
London's galleries, from Tate Modern to the Serpentine, become part of the course. Rent is the biggest cost, so many students share flats in south or east London.
CAS from Royal College of Art
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
The RCA usually opens applications in the autumn, with deadlines in the winter for September entry. Some programmes run more than one round, but popular courses fill early. Most courses need a portfolio.
Most programmes start in September.
You'll apply for a Student visa. Royal College of Art gives you a CAS number once your offer is unconditional and the deposit is paid. You can then apply online up to six months before the course starts, with bank evidence and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Innovation Design Engineering, architecture, contemporary art practice, fashion and service design are popular. Applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, a strong portfolio and IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
The RCA offers a limited number of scholarships, some for international students, mostly awarded after an offer. Most students fund their own studies.
