English language requirements

You can either prove this by taking an approved English language test or through your previous degree studies. You do not need to do this before you apply to the RCA, but you must submit your official test results to the College no later than one month before your programme start date.

If you need a student visa and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), you must submit proof that you meet the English language requirement before the CAS can be issued.

Nationals of the following countries are not required to prove their English language proficiency:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• British Overseas Territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

All other nationalities will need to either take an approved English language test or prove their English proficiency through their previous degree studies (see below).

We only accept the following English language tests, which must have been taken no more than two years prior to the start date of your RCA programme:

IELTS Academic

Password Skills PLUS

LanguageCert Academic

PTE Academic

You can see the IELTS score requirement for each programme on the individual programme web pages, and equivalent scores for other tests is provided lower down on this page.

We do not accept individual skills retakes in either IELTS or Password Plus in order to meet our English language requirements.

If you have any questions about accessing the language tests, for example if you have specific learning difficulties (SdLD) such as Dyslexia, please refer to the relevant test centre's website for information on access arrangements.

If you have not yet taken an approved English language test or achieved the required score, please book your test as soon as possible.

We strongly encourage you to work on your English before you apply, even if you do not yet have an offer. Improving your English by a full point on the IELTS scale typically takes more than six months. Please consider carefully whether you can achieve the required score before submitting your application to the College.

If, no more than five years prior to the start date of your RCA programme, you have received the equivalent of a second-class (upper division) undergraduate degree from a university in one of the following countries, you are exempt from needing to take an approved English language test.

If you have received the equivalent of a second-class (lower division) undergraduate degree from a university in one of the following countries, you will be eligible to join our Summer 10-week Pre-Sessional course.

Applicants applying for MPhil/PhD will be required to take an approved English language test.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• British Overseas Territories
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Applicants with an undergraduate degree (taken in the past five years, equivalent to a UK upper second class honours) that was taught and examined in the English language, but was not from one of the countries listed above, will not normally need to provide other evidence of English language ability. We would need to see sufficient proof from the institution to prove that the degree was taught and examined in English.

If you have not reached the required IELTS level to begin your Master's programme at the RCA, the College offers 10-week EAP Pre-Sessional courses. These courses can help you not only raise your English language level but also develop the specific communication and academic skills needed for your degree at the RCA.

We also offer a 6-week pre-sessional courses for students who have already met the English language requirements for their programme but wish to gain additional academic preparation and practise their communication skills in the Art and Design context before starting their degree.

Our Pre-Sessional courses are accredited by the global forum BALEAP – the British Association of English for Academic Purposes.