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Royal College of Art

London, United Kingdom

  • Cost of Living£ 26,592
  • Tuition Fee From£ 15,200
  • Country Rank#123
  • Batch Strength2,161
  • Global Diversity-
  • Gender Ratio67 : 33

Overview

About

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is one of the most prestigious art and design institutions in the world. Founded in 1837, it is based in London and is the oldest continuously operating art and design school in the United Kingdom. The RCA is also the only entirely postgraduate art and design university in the country. The RCA has a long and rich history of providing students with the opportunity to study under some of the most talented artists and designers of their time. Over the years, it has been home to many influential figures, including painters, sculptors, architects, and graphic designers. The college has also been at the forefront of many important art movements, including the Arts and Crafts movement and the British Pop Art movement.

 

The RCA offers a range of programmes in art and design, including Fine Art, Architecture, Design, Humanities and Cultural Studies, Material, and Visual Cultures. These programmes are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

 

One of the unique features of the RCA is its focus on research. The college is home to a number of research centres and institutes, including the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and the RCA/V&A Conservation Programme. These centres provide students with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and explore new and innovative ways of approaching their work.

 

The RCA is also renowned for its close relationships with industry and commerce. The college has a number of partnerships with leading companies and organizations, including the BBC, Coca-Cola, and the Design Museum. These partnerships provide students with opportunities to work on real-world projects and to gain valuable experience and insights into the workings of the creative industries.

University Name Royal College of Art
Official Website https://www.rca.ac.uk/
Year of Establishment 1967
Average Living Cost £26,242 - £26,742
Total International Students 2,585
Country Rank 124
University Type Public
For Study Abroad Counselling Click Here

Ranking

The Royal College of Art is consistently ranked as one of the top art and design institutions in the world. In the 2021 QS World University Rankings, the RCA was ranked as the number one art and design school in the world, ahead of prestigious institutions such as Parsons School of Design and the Rhode Island School of Design. In addition to its top ranking in the QS World University Rankings, the RCA is also highly regarded by other ranking organizations.

 

The Royal College of Art rankings are a testament to its reputation for academic excellence, innovative research, and close relationships with the industry. The college's commitment to providing students with a first-class education and the opportunity to work on real-world projects has made it one of the most sought-after institutions for aspiring artists and designers. Below are the most recent rankings of the institution -

 

  • QS World Rankings - Art and Design (2022) - #1
  • THE World University Rankings - Art and Design (2022) - #5
  • Business of Fashion Global Fashion School Rankings (2021) - #1

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

-

-

2022

-

-

2021

-

-

Facilities

The Royal College of Art has 3 campuses - White City, Kensington and Battersea. The Battersea is the latest and the most significant campus of the college which is designed by Herzog and de Meuron. All three campuses provide state-of-the-art facilities to make sure the students get all the things they need to become successful. Royal College of Art facilities includes state-of-the-art studios equipped with the latest technology and materials for students to work in. This includes painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture studios.

 

The college has two libraries, the Frederick Etchells Library and the Lethaby Library, which offer a wide range of books, journals, and other resources related to art and design. Students can also access high-end computers equipped with the latest software and hardware, which they can use for digital design, animation, and other digital projects. The Royal College of Art also has a range of workshops, including a digital fabrication workshop, a 3D printing workshop, and a metal workshop, where students can learn traditional and cutting-edge techniques.

 

The Royal College of Art facilities also include several exhibition spaces, including the Dyson Gallery, the Show RCA, and the InnovationRCA, where students can showcase their work and engage with the public. To make sure that the students are making the most of their time at the college, the RCA provides a range of support services for students, including career advice, financial support, and welfare services.

Notable Alumni

Mark Adams
Mark Adams
Designer
Billy Apple
Billy Apple
Painting, performance, sculpture
Princess Louise
Princess Louise
Viceregal consort of Canada

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

Royal College of Art acceptance rate is 75%. This means that for every 100 applicants hoping to gain admission, & arround 75 are offered places. The college's rigorous selection process ensures that only students demonstrating the highest creative talent and potential comprise each new cohort. 
 

Entry Requirements

The university offers a variety of courses for students in different areas of study including Arts and Humanities, Design, Business, Communication, Architecture, etc. A few specific requirements can change depending on the programme selected. These requirements are very competitive due to the selective admission process of the college. Candidates are expected to meet the Royal College of Art entry requirements to have a smooth admission. Below are the requirements students should keep in mind when applying for admission -


 

Application Portal

UG: UCAS

PG: University website

English Language Requirement

  • IELTS - 7
  • TOEFL iBT - 100
  • Pearson Academic - 59-69
  • Cambridge CPE & CAE - 169-185
  • TEEP - 6.0-7.0
  • OIBEC - Pass

Additional Documents

  • Transcripts
  • 2-3 LORs
  • SOP
  • Immigration health surcharge fee £300
  • Financial evidence

 

Fees

The institution offers several programs at different levels. Listed below are the Royal College of Art fees based on various courses

  • Master of Arts [M.A] Information Experience Design - £35,950 /Yr
  • Master of Arts [M.A] Painting - £38,600 /Yr
  • Master of Arts [M.A] Interior Design - £35,950 /Yr
  • Master of Arts [M.A] Design Products - £35,950 /Yr
  • Master of Arts [M.A] Textiles - £35,950 /Yr
  • M.Res RCA Communication Design Pathway - £35,950 /Yr

 

Placements

The institute's graduates have gotten some of the best, highest paying professions in the industries they've chosen. 90% of students feel that the Royal College of Art has had a beneficial impact on their careers, according to the Royal College of Art. To enable students to acquire exposure to the outside world, the Royal College of Art placements team hosts a variety of seminars and fairs. InnovationRCA is the college's centre for student entrepreneurship and business ventures. Providing incubation, intellectual property, and commercialization support benefit the student community. Students benefit from this by turning outstanding ideas into profitable businesses. The university has an employment rate of 93%. Louis Vuitton, Jaguar, Bentley, Volkswagen, Google, and Philips are a few of the university's top employers.

Scholarship

These are some of the scholarships available to students at the Royal College of Art:

 

Name Of The Scholarship

Eligibility

Grant

Karakusevic Carson Scholarship for MA Architecture

Highly competitive with a 27.2% acceptance rate

£10,000

Leathersellers' Bursaries

For MA Fashion and Textile students utilizing leather

£5,000

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Royal College of Art. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Royal College of Art. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

Students can find several opportunities in London. A diverse and lively city has a fantastic environment to learn in and provides students with a variety of opportunities. Students in London have very varied and extensive social lives. The city offers a wide range of cultural and entertainment opportunities, including museums, theatres, and music venues, for leisure activities. Students can also visit various parks, marketplaces, and shopping centres nearby. Although London is usually seen as a secure city, it is nevertheless vital to remain aware of your surroundings and take safety precautions, just like in any other urban region. Being among the top expensive cities in the UK, London can be pricey sometimes. This depends on the location and the lifestyle of the student. Students can save money being choosing housing options like dormitories, shared apartments, studios, and houses where the utilities are included in the rent. Below is a list of the expenses that prospective students at the Royal College of Art should plan for -


 

Particulars

Monthly Cost (Pound Sterling)

Off-Campus Accommodation 

£1,220

On-Campus Accommodation

£1,200

Transportation

£186

Food Cost

£480

Entertainment

£60

Groceries

£200

Clothes

£70

Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation 

£2,530

Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation 

£2,510

Annual Cost of Living

£30,360

FAQs