Eligibility and key dates

You'll need to fulfil specific academic criteria in order to apply for our programmes. Our programme pages explain the requirements for each programme.

You also need to meet English language requirements.

Graduate Diploma Art & Design

If you feel you are not quite prepared to apply for an MA or MRes, we invite you to apply for the Graduate Diploma Art & Design pre-Master’s programme. Applicants come from an variety of backgrounds and disciplines and all applications are evaluated on their individual merits.

Taught Master's

Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process will consider creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high Master's standards overall.

Postgraduate research

Our MPhil and PhD programmes welcome applications from candidates from across the world and of all ages, including those with academic and professional backgrounds.

Graduate Diploma

Applications for the May 2025 intake will open on 2 January 2025. The application deadline is 19 April 2025 at 11.59am (British Summer Time).

Master’s, MPhil and PhD programmes

Applications will open on 28 October for September 2025 entry.

The RCA receives thousands of applications each year, so we encourage you to complete your application as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of securing an offer of study.

The earlier we receive your application, the earlier we can review your application. Leaving your application submission until the deadline could result in delays to thereview of your application.

Round 1

Applications open: 28 October 2024
Deadline: 13 January 2025, 12 noon GMT
Notification of outcome: from 20 January 2025

Round 2

Application open: 13 January 2025
Deadline: 26 March 2025, 12 noon GMT
Notification of outcome: Within eight weeks of application

Round 3

Application open: 26 March 2025
Deadline: 30 June 2025, 12 noon GMT
Notification of outcome: Within eight weeks of application

If you receive an offer, you must accept your offer and pay your deposit within three weeks to secure your place. See Accepting an offer and enrolling for more information.

If you wish to apply for an RCA scholarship, we recommend that you make your programme application as early as possible, as only Round 1 and Round 2 offer holders will be guaranteed an opportunity to submit a scholarship application in spring 2025.