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MPhil/PhD tuition fee bands

Last updated 11 June 2025

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The RCA has two separate fee bands for full-time MPhil/PhD students. Students also have the option of studying part-time in the academic year 2025/26.

Full-time students

Full-time students should plan to devote at least 35 hours per week and can be registered for a minimum of three and a maximum of four academic years. Continuation status is included in the maximum registration period and is for a maximum of one academic year.

The RCA has two separate fee bands for full-time MPhil/PhD.

Candidates applying to start doctoral study in autumn should indicate at interview which mode they wish to pursue (high residency or low residency).

Existing students will also have the opportunity to select the low residency route during the academic year, where appropriate.

Low Residency

The Low Residency route is available to students studying full-time and involves:

  • Study and supervisory contact mainly on campus.
  • 22 direct academic contact hours per year across two supervisors (plus additional staff time for non-contact and assessment responsibilities).
  • Access to the College library and online resources.
  • Access to a shared/bookable workspace and open study spaces.
  • Access to a low level of technical provision.
  • Participating actively in on-campus activities and events and in the research student community (e.g. through the RCA doctoral training programme and School/Research Centre seminar series).

High Residency

The High Residency route is available to students studying full-time and involves:

  • Study and supervisory contact mainly on campus.
  • 22 hours of direct academic contact hours per year across two supervisors (plus additional staff time for non-contact and assessment responsibilities).
  • Access to the College library and online resources.
  • Access to a dedicated workspace within a larger shared space (reviewed annually).
  • Access to a higher level of technical provision.
  • Participation in on-campus activities and events (e.g. the RCA doctoral training programme and School/Research Centre seminar series).
  • Being present on campus regularly, making good use of the space allocated and participating actively in the research student community (e.g. through the RCA doctoral training programme and School/Research Centre seminar series).

The College reserves the right to charge students the higher fee band if, having agreed the lower fee band, a student is found to be occupying space and using resources in line with the ‘high residency’ provision.

Part-time students

Part-time students should plan to devote at least 17 to 18 hours per week and can be registered for a minimum of six and a maximum of seven academic years. Continuation status is included in the maximum registration period and is for a maximum of one academic year.

  • Study and supervisory contact mainly on campus.
  • 17-18 direct academic contact hours per year across two supervisors (plus additional staff time for non-contact and assessment responsibilities).
  • Access to the College library and online resources.
  • Access to a shared/bookable workspace and open study spaces.
  • Access to a low level of technical provision in line with the part-time hours, but over the full duration of the registration period.
  • Participating actively in on-campus activities and events and in the research student community (e.g. through the RCA doctoral training programme and School/Research Centre seminar series).

Frequently asked questions

The new fee bands recognise that MPhil/PhD students do not always need or want the full range of facilities; this may be because they have technical support and/or work space nearer to their place of residence, or because their project does not require high levels of studio space and technical support.

Some of the costs associated with supporting doctoral study are the same whether a student is studying Full-Time or Part-Time, and this fee model, which is widely in use across UK universities, more accurately reflects these costs.

Full-Time High Residency fee level is equivalent to the previous Full-Time fee and the Part-Time Low Residency fee level is equivalent to the previous Part-Time fee. The new Full-Time Low Residency mode represents a saving on the previous Full-Time fee.

Continuation fees sit outside this high/low residency approach. Students in Continuation Status are expected to have completed all their doctoral research, and will not have access to Technical Services or space during this period. This is reflected in a much reduced fee level.

All MPhil/PhD students will complete a Technical Services plan each year for the coming year, that will be reviewed against their registered mode of study. Part-Time students would ordinarily be expected to require a lower level of Technical Services compared to those studying in Full-Time High Residency mode.

No, this will not be possible, because Technical Services staffing levels will be set for the year. Any changes can be reviewed in the annual Technical Services plan.

Students can make a request to change during the period of their study; any approved change would take place at the start of an academic year. Mid-year changes are not possible.

Please speak to your supervisor in the first instance, and the PGR Lead for your School or Research Centre if you need further advice.