Staff benefits

Staff at the Royal College of Art are paid within one of eleven grades on the national 51 point pay spine.

The salary quoted in the job description shows the entire range of salaries assigned to the grade of the job. The salary offered to the successful candidate depends upon their experience and previous salary.

Once appointed, staff (if in post by 31 March) will move to the next point on the salary scale each year on 1 August until they reach the maximum of the scale.

In addition to these increments, a percentage rise will be negotiated nationally with the unions each year, and will also be awarded from 1 August each year.

The College uses an equal pay scheme for evaluating roles to ensure equal pay for work of equal value across all staff.

The Royal College of Art is a participating institution of the Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London (SAUL). 

As such the College can offer all new starts joining on or after 1 April 2023 membership of SAUL START, a new contributory, defined contribution, pension scheme. The college will contribute a sum equal to 16% of your salary while you pay 6%.

SAUL is not able to enrol any new Members in its defined contribution scheme (SAUL CARE), however, if you are currently a member of SAUL's CARE scheme or believe you have historical entitlement to join SAUL CARE, please inform the HR team on accepting an offer of employment.

Staff are offered 25 days (5 weeks) of paid leave per annum (30 days for academic and senior management staff) plus Bank and Public holidays normally observed in England and Wales.

In addition, the College is normally closed for six days a year, one day either side of Easter and the remainder between Christmas and New Year.

Part-time staff will be entitled to the pro-rata equivalent.

Active members of the Superannuation Scheme of the University of London (SAUL) pension scheme automatically receive life cover. A lump sum of four times your salary together with a refund of your contributions and a two-thirds pension for your dependent/spouse will be payable should you die before retirement whilst in employment.

Interest-free pay advances are available for staff to purchase annual season tickets.

The College promotes a greener approach to travel by encouraging the use of a bicycle as transport to and from work, and supports the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme.

The College offers a range of benefits to support you in balancing work life and family life, including enhanced maternity and paternity packages and childcare vouchers.

Qualifying employees are entitled to enhanced maternity/adoption pay: 26 weeks’ full pay, 13 weeks Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay. This compares to the statutory provision of 90 per cent of average pay for 6 weeks followed by Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay for 33 weeks.

Qualifying employees are entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave entitlement at full pay. This compares to the statutory provision of two weeks’ pay at the statutory rate.

Occupational sick pay is offered after six months’ service of three months’ full pay followed by three months’ half pay.

Staff and their household members have access to a free, external confidential support service for work, financial, legal, family and personal problems 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Chaplaincy offers faith-based welfare and pastoral support to staff and students. The Chaplain is also available to offer help with projects related to faith, bereavement, ritual or spirituality, places of worship and access to Muslim, Jewish and multi-faith prayer rooms nearby. 

The College awards professorships or readership to academic staff based on published criteria through an annual application process. Any award is subject to successful completion of probationary period, which is normally one year from first appointment.

The College offers a range of courses aimed at helping staff to develop on a personal and professional level.

Occupational Health support for the College is provided by Imperial College’s Occupational Health Service at their South Kensington Campus.

Staff are entitled to join the Ethos Sports facilities at Imperial College London, which is located on Exhibition Road. Ethos Sports consists of a swimming pool, fitness gym, sauna and steam suite, aerobics studio and squash courts. Discounted membership rates are offered to all staff.

Staff are entitled to use the student restaurant, snackbar and RCAfé, which provides reasonably priced hot food and snacks through the day.

The College library, on the Kensington site, providing resources relating to the subjects taught and researched on each site. IT facilities are available and library services are open to all staff and students.

All staff are welcome to attend exhibitions, lectures and private views held by academic Schools and programmes.