For January and September
Kensington Gore
London SW7 2EU
United Kingdom
Applications are open for the Royal College of Art’s January and September 2026 entry to Graduate Diploma, Master’s and Research programmes. As demand for places is high and applications are reviewed as received, we recommend early submission for those seeking to advance their creative practice and career within the RCA’s community.
Programmes open for January 2026 intake
An expanded portfolio of January-start programmes allows students to start and complete within the 2026 calendar year.
The deadline to apply is December 5, 2025, 12pm UK time.
Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma Art & Design
Offered on-campus, online or combined, this 30-week programme is designed to prepare students for the step up to Master’s study, by focusing on developing the independent learning methods and practices of art and design.
Communication MFA
Through critical and creative experimentation, the programme has developed a studio-based culture of critical thinking through making. With a global student body, MFA students come from a wide range of creative, cultural and philosophical backgrounds.
Creative Education MEd
Designed for professionals who want to explore the possibilities of education in a range of different formal and informal contexts. As a community, students explore different aspects of creative education. This involves themes such as curriculum design, the pedagogies of making, and education for change.
Design Practice MArch
A transformative programme for architects, designers, spatial and creative practitioners at any career stage looking to reimagine an established practice, emerging from undergraduate study, or transitioning from other creative, activist or policy-engaged fields.
Research Degrees (MPhil/PhD)
Including Ageing, Health & Inclusive Design, Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication, Computer Science, Design, Intelligent Mobility, Materials Science, Robotics.
Applications open for September 2026 Intake
Applications are open for all Graduate Diploma, Master’s and Research degrees across the broad disciplines of: Animation and Moving Image / Applied, Fine and Visual Art / Architecture and Environmental / Communication and Experience Design / Curating & Culture / Design History and Futures / Engineering, Product and Service Design / Fashion & Textiles / Humanities and Education / Interior and Experience Design.
The first deadline to apply is January 19, 2026, 12pm UK time.
To support aspiring students, the RCA provides: Portfolio and video advice In-person and online events On-demand recording of past applicant events Access to our student recruitment team or to chat with current students Application Frequently Asked Questions English for Academic Purposes courses for applicants who need to demonstrate English language proficiency
Scholarships and funding
The RCA website provides information on internal scholarships and advice on external funding options. Ordinarily, an offer of study is a pre-requisite for most funding options so applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the round 1 deadline or at the latest by the round 2 deadline of 17 March, 2026.
Students from the US are eligible for US Federal Loans (Direct Loans) for many of our programmes. Learn more about US Federal Loans.
