Art & Design Short Courses

Blurred out figure standing in front of a large landscape painting in a gallery.

Editorial Design

Format: Online

Dates: 3—27 March 2026

Status: Bookings close 23 February 2026

Elevate your visual storytelling and master the art of presenting information. This course, led by Adrian Shaughnessy and Astrid Stavro, goes beyond layouts, teaching you to curate, organise, and display text and images in a innovative way for any platform. This course is ideal for graphic designers, publishers, art directors, and aspiring creatives looking to experiment in design.

Art & Design Portfolio Development

Format: Online

Dates: 5—27 March 2026

Status: Applications closing January 2026

Our Art & Design Portfolio Development short course uniquely prepares you for the intellectual and creative demands of postgraduate study at world-leading institutions, as well as for roles across the creative industries globally. Ideal for those intending to develop a focused art and design portfolio for progression to Graduate Diploma, MA or equivalent level, or if you are looking to develop professionally and personally.

Typography

Format: Online

Dates: 2—26 June 2026

Status: Bookings close 25 May 2026

“Typography is part science and part art” - Adrian Shaughnessy, Short Course Leader. This course provides you with the foundational principles of typography (the science) and the creative freedom to develop your own unique typographic expression (the art). Learn to make words not only legible but also visually compelling. If you are a visual designer, an illustrator, a communication designer or anyone looking to deepen your understanding of how type influences design then this course is for you.

Introduction to Animation: Contexts and Process

Format: Online

Dates: 1 — 18 June 2026

Status: Bookings close 25 May 2026

This inspiring course in animation practice and critical exploration will introduce students to hands-on animation experience alongside conceptual insights, fostering pathways to creativity and technical processes. Led by the RCA Animation MA programme, celebrating 40 years of boundary-pushing animation.

The Graphic Novel: Visual Storytelling

Format: Online

Dates: 6 — 30 July 2026

Status: Bookings close 26 June 2026

This course is an opportunity to explore your voice through sequential art. We will guide you through the critical elements of illustration, composition, tone, and pacing to help you craft a visual narrative that captivates your reader from the very first panel. Designed for illustrators, writers, and artists who want to create their own graphic novels, comics, or are looking to develop their illustration skills.

Curating Contemporary Art and Design

Format: Online

Dates: 6—17 July 2026

Status: Applications close June 2026

In this highly interactive live online course, you will develop your curatorial practice, build a professional network, and collaborate with peers. You'll engage with professionals at the forefront of their fields, exploring the latest developments in critical and curatorial practice. You'll leave with the confidence and a clear point of view needed to navigate the contemporary art and design world. If you are an artist, writer, curator, or professional in the wider art industries, this course is for you.

Contemporary Art Summer School

Format: Online

Dates: 13 — 31 July 2026

Status: Applications close June 2026

This three-week, live online, practice-led course provides a supportive environment for your self-led independent practice. Taught by RCA staff and supported by a broad range of prominent artists, academics, critics, and curators, you will develop your practice and gain insight into the study of contemporary art within the academic environment of the Royal College of Art. This summer school is for artists, recent graduates, and creative practitioners seeking to invigorate their practice or prepare for a new artistic direction.

About our Art & Design Short Courses

Why choose the RCA?

As the world's number one art and design university, the RCA offers an immersive learning experience you won't find anywhere else. Our intensive art & design short courses can also give you a taste of the RCA's postgraduate environment.

Here's what sets us apart:

Learn directly from RCA academics and renowned practitioners and notable guest speakers who are shaping the future of art and design and are connected with the industry.
Our class sizes and hands-on, practical group work allow for rich interaction and personalised feedback.
Connect and collaborate with a diverse community of peers from over 60 countries, building lifelong professional relationships.
A short course is often the first step. Many of our delegates go on to launch new careers, develop their practice, or apply successfully to our prestigious MA programs.
Receive a Certificate of Achievement upon completion, validating your skills and commitment.

Who should attend?

Whether you're looking to elevate your current career, pivot to a new one, or prepare for further study, our advanced-level summer schools are designed for you.

For professionals and career-changers: are you looking to advance your skills or make a pivotal career move? Our courses offer the deep-dive knowledge and practical experience you need to stand out.
For prospective students: you can gain a taste of life at the RCA and begin to build a competitive portfolio for postgraduate study.
For creative individuals: our immersive workshops and studio-based approach will help you explore your full creative potential and set you apart from the crowd, allowing you to build upon your existing skills while also opening paths to new ones.

How do we deliver our courses?

On campus delivery

We run in-person masterclasses and short courses from our London campuses.

RCA Battersea campus:

The RCA’s new state-of-the-art research and innovation Battersea campus was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and opened in 2022, marking the most significant campus development in the College’s history.

The seventh floor of the Rausing Research & Innovation Building was purposefully designed for the delivery of Executive Education and events and the space boasts 360 degree views across London. The building has dedicated independent and confidential research space for areas such as materials science, soft robotics, advanced manufacturing, intelligent mobility and AR/VR visualisation.

RCA Kensington campus:

Our iconic Kensington Campus, Located in the 'Albertopolis' district of London, alongside the Victoria and Albert Museum and Imperial College, flanked by Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park – the largest green space in London – and next to the Royal Albert Hall.

Online delivery

Our online short courses bring the dynamic RCA studio experience directly to you. Each course is delivered live, allowing you to engage in real-time with our world-class tutors and a global community of creatives. We’ve designed a virtual learning environment that is just as collaborative and interactive as being on campus in London.

Custom art and design courses

We develop custom art and design short courses or our existing courses can be adapted, combined or customised for the particular needs of an organisation or individual. The courses are ideally suited for groups of 15-30 participants.

Courses may be delivered at one of the RCA's central London sites or online. We can also deliver these courses at other venues in the UK and internationally.

Learn more about Custom Executive Education with the RCA by reading our brochure or visiting our webpage.

Or contact us to discuss a custom programme:

Peter Christian, Head of Executive Education

Hattie Allen, Senior Executive Education Manager