Summer Schools
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Royal College of Art Summer School short courses take place from June to August.
Curating Summer School, 2021 guest speakers
Art and Design Portfolio Development
29 & 30 June, 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 July 2023
FULLY BOOKED
“The portfolio as a practice is inherently multidisciplinary. As a self-authored publication, a portfolio translates a body of work through thoughtful art direction, critical writing and content curation.”
Richard Nash, Short Course Leader
Architecture & Interior Design Summer School
In person on campus 30 June, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 July 2023
FULLY BOOKED
"The course brings together theoretical reflection and production, pushing participants to develop their skills and to generate conceptual and physical products of the highest standard for their portfolio."
Tania López Winkler, Short Course Leader
Curating Contemporary Art and Design
10–21 July 2023
APPLICATIONS & BOOKINGS CLOSED
“We provide a highly interactive environment in which participants develop their own curatorial practices and critical perspectives while building new networks and working collaboratively together.”
Dr Rosie Ram, Short Course Leader
Contemporary Art Summer School
24 July–11 August 2023
APPLICATIONS & BOOKINGS CLOSED
“This course offers the unique opportunity to look at your practice differently. I want people to walk away with a new joy in their practice and a different way of looking at what they have been working on so far.”
Dr Despina Zacharopoulou, Short Course Leader
Present Futures: Virtual and Augmented Reality in Art
28 August – 1 September 2023
"Like no other course offered by an art school, this five-day collaboration between Acute Art and the RCA will offer tools to navigate the art world of tomorrow."
Daniel Birnbaum, Short Course Leader
Curating Contemporary Art and Design: Publishing, Editing, Writing Intensive
9–10 and 16–17 November 2023
"We are thrilled to offer this new course exploring the possibilities of publishing, editing and writing within the context of contemporary art and design. For curators, artists, writers, designers and many others, making work public is a vital part of creative practice and this dynamic programme presents an opportunity to engage with leading professionals who write, edit and publish in truly innovative ways."
Dr Rosie Ram, Short Course Leader
The Graphic Novel: Visual Storytelling
3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 & 26 July 2023
FULLY BOOKED
“How we start a story can prove difficult but to make this possible we are offering you a starting point. Composition, tone, colour, pacing and tempo are the things we have to engage with.”
Professor Andrzej Klimowski, Short Course Leader
Editorial Design
2, 9, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 & 30 May 2023
FULLY BOOKED
“Learn the craft and art of editorial design, which is defined as the presentation of information (text and image) in a coherent, relevant and innovative manner, allowing the reader access to subject matter of all kinds and on various platforms."
Adrian Shaughnessy and Astrid Stavro, Short Course Leaders
Typography
5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28 June 2023
FULLY BOOKED
“Typography is part science and part art. This course aims to acquaint you with the core principles of typography (the science) and inspire you to develop your powers of typographic expression (the art).” Adrian Shaughnessy, Short Course Leader
We have been running summer schools at the RCA for more than five years and have attracted a global mix of participants from over 60 countries.
In academic year 2022/23 we continue to deliver short courses live online and on campus.
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Register your interest for our summer schools
About our summer schools
Key benefits
Royal College of Art summer schools attract a global mix of artists, critical thinkers, curators and writers from over 60 countries. The RCA was recently ranked number one university for art and design for the eighth consecutive academic year in the QS World University Rankings.
We provide unparalleled opportunities to access teaching, researchers, guest practitioners and facilities, as well as collaborate and connect with an international network of peers.
The short courses reflect the college’s unique studio-based learning philosophy with small class sizes, practical group work, rich interaction between students and academics, enhanced peer-to-peer networking and a certificate of achievement on completion.
Whether you’re looking for a step-change in your career, transforming your practice with world class thought-leaders, or are considering embarking on one of our MA Programmes, the summer schools offer a snapshot of studying at the College.
Previous students that have completed the summer schools have gone on to successfully apply to study on the Graduate Diploma and MA-Level courses at the RCA.
- Advanced level lectures and seminars from RCA academic faculty.
- Notable guest speakers and professional practitioners connected to industry.
- Real time interaction with the RCA course leaders to exchange ideas and receive feedback.
- Learn about the RCA's most recent case studies and practices.
- Opportunity to collaborate and connect with an international network of peers.
- Certificate of achievement on completion.
Who should attend?
Our summer courses reflect our advanced level of teaching and are aimed at:
- postgraduate or undergraduate students preparing for Master’s study
- career changers or those interested in art and design
- professionals seeking to develop specific knowledge and skills
Online delivery
Our summer schools are either in person on campus, or organised in synchronous sessions in a live virtual environment.
The delivery of online courses is rigorous and highly interactive.
In online short courses, participants:
- engage with the RCA’s esteemed academics and facilitators via the audio and video conferencing service Zoom
- access resources on the College's learning platform Moodle
- work with peers in breakout rooms in real time using visual collaboration tools such as Miro.
On campus delivery
In 2022 we celebrated the opening of the RCA’s new state-of-the-art research and innovation campus designed by Herzog & de Meuron in Battersea and the return of in person executive masterclasses and short courses.
'The top floor spaces have been specifically designed for the delivery of Executive Education. It's an incredible space with windows all around and 360 degree views across London - simply put, it's a really lovely, immersive, inspiring place to learn.' Hattie Allen, Executive Education Manager
Covid-19
RCA Short Courses will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation in the period up to the course dates. Our planning incorporates the latest UK Government guidance as well as consideration of how best to ensure a safe and inclusive learning space for participants and staff team. Our participants health, wellbeing and quality of experience while attending our on-campus courses is paramount to us. Full details of the Covid safe guidelines in place for the course will be provided to you in advance of your start date with your welcome information. It may be necessary due to Covid-19 restrictions to change the mode of delivery to live online or postpone to a later date. We will endeavour to notify all participants in advance of any changes, no later than 2 weeks before the course start date.
Terms & conditions apply.
7th Floor Executive Education event spaces in Battersea, London.
Custom summer courses
Our experts can develop custom summer courses and many of our existing short courses can be adapted, combined or customised for the particular needs of an organisation. The courses are ideally suited for groups of 15 to 30 or more participants.
Courses may be delivered online or at one of the RCA's central London sites, at your premises or other venues in the UK and internationally.
Please contact us to discuss developing a custom programme:
- Peter Christian, Head of Executive Education
- Hattie Allen, Executive Education Manager
More opportunities to study at the RCA
Contact us
Get in touch with Jo Chounta if you'd like to find out more about this or any of our other short courses.
short-courses@rca.ac.uk
