Royal College of Art, London is the world's first publicly-funded Government School of Design. RCA is ranked #1 globally in Art and Design by QS World University Rankings for the last 11 consecutive years. Currently, it is the world's largest community of postgraduate-only art and design students. The institute is currently home to 2,300 students and looking to increase the student numbers to 3,000 by 2027. RCA London offers over 20 courses as Master’s, Doctoral, Short Courses, and a Graduate Diploma. Popular courses at Royal College of Art include MA/ MSc Innovative Design Engineering, MA Design Products, MA Architecture, among others.
Tuition fees for taught Master’s programs at RCA range between GBP 26950 to 46766 per year (31.91 to 55.37 lakhs INR) per year. Furthermore, students need to budget for GBP 1,483 (1.74 lakhs INR) per month for the cost of living in London. International students also pay an additional GBP 1,256 (1.47 lakhs INR) per year for visa and health insurance costs. To support students financially, RCA London offers 300+ scholarships, including full tuition and living cost coverage. After graduation, Royal College of Art students experience strong career outcomes, with average salary of GBP 57,000 (66.92 lakhs INR) per year. Top earners of the university annually earn up to £1.5 million per year. According to the latest official Graduate Careers Report, 2 out of 3 RCA graduates were earning money in jobs related to their course within 12 months of graduating.
Know More: Average Salaries in UK
Royal College of Art Rankings
Royal College of Art has maintained its 1st position in Art and Design by QS World University Rankings, for the last 11 years. RCA also ranks at 1st in Art History by QS, consecutively since last 3 years. The institute ranks at #101-150 in Performing Arts according to QS World University Rankings.
Royal College of Art Courses and Fees
Royal College of Art offers a wide variety of courses across 19 subjects. These include Pre-Master’s program, Taught Master’s courses, Doctoral programs, and Short Courses. The institute offers these programs through 9 schools and centers.
| Program | Annual Fees In GBP | Annual Fees In INR |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts [M.A] Innovation Design Engineering M.Sc. (65 Views Last Year) | GBP 42900 | INR 50.79 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Design Products (33 Views Last Year) | GBP 35950 | INR 42.56 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Architecture (25 Views Last Year) | GBP 26950 | INR 31.91 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Interior Design (25 Views Last Year) | GBP 35950 | INR 42.56 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Digital Directions (23 Views Last Year) | GBP 35950 | INR 42.56 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Painting (20 Views Last Year) | GBP 38600 | INR 45.7 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Animation (20 Views Last Year) | GBP 35950 | INR 42.56 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Global Innovation Design M.Sc. (18 Views Last Year) | GBP 38600 | INR 45.7 Lakhs |
| Master of Research [M.Res] Arts and Humanities (15 Views Last Year) | GBP 35950 | INR 42.56 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Textiles (15 Views Last Year) | GBP 35950 | INR 42.56 Lakhs |
Royal College of Art Cost of Living
A breakdown of the estimated cost of living for students of Royal College of Art is provided in the following table:
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (£) | Annual Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 800 - 1,700 | 9,600 - 20,400 |
| Food & Groceries | 250 - 400 | 3,000 - 4,800 |
| Travel | 100 - 130 | 1,200 - 1,500 |
| Materials & Equipment | Varies (50 - 200/month) | 600 - 2,400 |
| Field Trips & Excursions | Varies (50 - 1,500/trip) | 200 - 1,500 |
| Total Estimated Costs | N/A | 15,800 - 29,100 |
| International Students' Additional Costs | N/A | 1,256 (Visa + Health Insurance) |
Also Check: Cost of Living in UK for Indian Students
Royal College of Art Admissions 2026
Royal College of Art acceptance rate is 27.2%. This shows the strong competition for admission to the world’s best Art and Design institute. Indian students can apply for admission to Royal College of Art only based on merit. The selection criteria of RCA London emphasizes creativity, innovation, and the quality of your portfolio. Details of admission to Royal College of Art are provided below:
Application Portal: RCA Application Portal
Application Fee: Not required
Admission Requirements:
- Personal and contact details
- Academic qualifications
- Proof of English language proficiency:
- IELTS: 6.5 with a 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills
- Passport image
- Portfolio (Digital Only):
- A 300-word personal statement on your motivation
- A 2-minute video explaining your creative journey
- 3-5 digital files showcasing your work
- Written descriptions/explanations (if required by program)
- Work experience (if relevant)
- Contact details for referees
- Accessibility support needs
- Personal demographic information.
Note for Non-Art Background Applicants: You do not need an art or design background to apply for admission to RCA London. Your portfolio should demonstrate creativity, original thinking, and your potential to succeed in the selected course.
Royal College of Art Application Deadlines 2026
International students can apply to Royal College of Art in September and January intakes. The January intakes are for a few selected courses, while the September intake is for all the courses offered by RCA. Applications for the January intake are accepted in only one round, however, the September intake has 3 application rounds. Students who receive offers in Round 1 or Round 2 will be eligible to apply for RCA London scholarships. Early application is recommended due to high competition and limited scholarship availability.
Royal College of Art London application deadlines for 2026 intakes are as follows:
Application Deadline for January 2026 Entry
- Applications open: October 20, 2025 (currently open)
- Application deadline: December 5, 2025 (12 noon UK time)
Note: The January intake 2026 is for Graduate Diploma, Master's degrees and all Research degrees.
Application Deadlines for September 2026 Entry
| Round | Applications Open | Deadline | Decision By* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 27, 2025 | January 19, 2026 | November 23, 2025 to February 7, 2026 |
| 2 | January 20, 2026 | March 17, 2026 | February 20 to April 24, 2026 |
| 3 | March 18, 2026 | June 3, 2026 | By June 30, 2026 |
Note: The above dates are applicable to all the Master’s, MPhil, and PhD programs.
*If you receive an offer of admission, you have to accept and pay the deposit within 3 weeks to confirm your enrollment.
Royal College of Art Scholarships
Royal College of Art has a scholarship program to support needful students and candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. Over 300 scholarships are available to eligible students for 2025/26.
RCA scholarships vary in terms of coverage and student eligibility. The various types of scholarships are:
- Full tuition fee and living cost coverage
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Partial tuition fee coverage
- Living cost coverage.
Eligibility Criteria for RCA Scholarships:
- Students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds
- Students with disabilities
- Students with refugee or asylum seeker status
- Students from underrepresented groups in higher education.
How to Apply for RCA Scholarships?
To apply for a scholarship at RCA London, you need to follow these steps:
- Submit your application to an RCA program and receive an offer of admission (conditional or unconditional).
- Visit the “How to Apply for an RCA Scholarship” page for guidance on eligibility and the scholarship application process.
- Apply before the deadline.
It is recommended to submit your program application by Round 2 to be eligible for scholarship application. Only Round 1 and Round 2 offer holders will be guaranteed the opportunity to apply for scholarships.
Also Check: UK Scholarships for Indian Students
Royal College of Art GREAT Scholarships
The RCA London also participates in the GREAT Scholarships scheme, offered in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign. You can get at least £10,000 towards tuition fees for 1-year postgraduate courses at RCA. These scholarships are open to international students from select countries, including India, and cover full tuition fees.
Royal College of Art is a global leader in art and design education. Rightfully deserved, the institute consistently ranks at #1 by QS World University Arts and Design rankings, 2025. With a competitive acceptance rate of 27.2%, admission to RCA requires strong academic merit, creativity, and portfolio. RCA London stands out by offering over 300 scholarships, covering tuition and living costs. Moreover, RCA arguably offers the best platform to develop skills, innovate, and set examples in creative industries for aspiring artists and designers worldwide.
FAQs
Ques. What is the top 1 art university in the world?
Ans. Royal College of Art is ranked #1 globally in Art and Design by QS World University Rankings for 11 consecutive years. It is the world’s largest postgraduate-only art and design university, attracting top creative talent worldwide.
Ques. Is Royal College of Art hard to get into?
Ans. Yes, Royal College of Art is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 27.2%. Admissions are fully merit-based, including academic merit, portfolio, and creativity. Indian students need a 300-word personal statement, a short video, a digital portfolio, and proof of English proficiency to get into RCA.
Ques. What is the fees of Royal College of Art?
Ans. Tuition fees for Master’s programs at Royal College of Art range from GBP 26950 to 46766 per year (31.91 to 55.37 lakhs INR) per year. You must also budget for GBP 1,483 (1.74 lakhs INR) per month for living expenses in London.
Royal College of Art Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (17th Mar 2026) Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (3rd Jun 2026) | USD 61,650 /Yr GBP 45,000 /Yr | IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 59 |
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Important Alerts
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Innovation Design Engineering Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake | Closing in 28 days |
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Royal College of Art Reviews
3 Reviews Found
Likes
- Most of the class were international students so getting to learn & collaborate in a diverse team environment
- We had a shuttle bus that took students between all 3 campuses
- Getting opportunity to collaborate with Snapchat & their products for a research project
Dislikes
- Structure of our schedule/curriculum was sometimes very unorganized
- Masters was too short and condensed for 1 year
- Not having our final grad show in a proper venue outside of campus in London
Campus Life
- We have 3 campuses total in South Kensington, White City, and Battersea. There was no sports facility or medical services; however, there was a library, multiple cafes, bar, many different types of studios, and communal spaces.
- There were some clubs like Drawing Society, Queer Society, and more but they were not a huge part of the campus events.
- There were no campus festivals or clubs that took place at the college. There were sometimes cultural fairs, especially at the beginning of the school year. There was also a student representative organization.
Fees
- The university only charged for tuition, which was 28,000 GBP for one year total consisting of 3 semesters.
- Fees were charged semester-wise; we paid first of tuition before the start of the first semester and the remainder at the beginning of the second semester.
- Monthly expenses: rent (1100 GBP); transportation (110 GBP); food & other expenses (1500-2000 GBP)
Likes
- - Networking and Diversity: I appreciate the diversity of people and the ease to connect with peers.
- - Access to resources (tangible and intangible): It is amazing how easy it is to access the tangible resources, computers, materials. I also appreciate the ease of access to tutors and facilitators and the guidance provided by them
- - Wellness support: The college keeps supporting in mental health awareness sessions and also helps with brief financial support when required
Dislikes
- - Infrastructure: The spaces are nice but the building sometimes are too complex
- - Connections with the industry: It has a great networking community which can help us with industry connections and access, they aren’t made visible
- - Cost of education: As an international student, the cost of living and the tuition fee is exceptionally high
Campus Life
- Our college has 3 campuses, the locations are beautiful and they are located in very different spaces.
- We have medical services, admissions offices that help with keeping the VISA checks and other administrative tasks in place, wellbeing space, a library, and workshop spaces like photography, weaving, sculpture, pottery, etc.
- We have a student union who host all the events in college and they have smaller societies within which there are events that take place. To name a few, karaoke night, winter ball, Diwali party, Halloween night, etc. They also set up Christmas Fete and stalls during the semester where students can showcase and sell their products.
Fees
- My course was at 33450 GBP (inclusive of the deposit fee) for the entire year. Which had a 2000 GBP deposit fee. The application was free of charge.I was able to pay in 2 installments. My monthly expenses are about 1600 GBP.
- 1170 GBP for Accommodation (College doesn’t provide this)
100 GBP for transport
150-200 GBP grocery
200 for social life
Likes
- Having already studied product design during my undergraduate studies and having worked as a digital interactive designer, pursuing service design was a complementary choice that built upon my previous learning and experience.
- The curriculum is extensive and covers all aspects of the design process, from research to testing to implementation, which is impressive. This means that I am getting a well-rounded education that prepares them for real-world situations.
- Additionally, the emphasis on group work and hands-on workshops during the lectures helped to build practical skills and promoting collaboration.
Dislikes
- One aspect that I am not particularly fond of regarding the college is the relatively high course fees compared to other universities. However, it would be beneficial if they could incorporate more field visits outside the campus to provide a more immersive learning environment.
Overview
This was the best decision I have ever made. Leaving a secure job in my home country and traveling to a new one to pursue my education was completely worth it. The university provides an excellent platform for interacting with professionals and students from diverse backgrounds.
Campus Life
Within the college, we have access to a plethora of extracurricular activities such as exhibits, workshops, competitions, student clubs, events, digital and physical libraries, 3D printers, product design tools and machines, as well as free printers and a stationary shop.
Royal College of Art Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | Scholarship per student$100,000 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| Leo Murray Entrepreneurship Scholarship | Scholarship per student$14,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Saltire Scholarships | Scholarship per student$8,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based |
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Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
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Comments
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Admission to fine art programs depends on the college and its requirements. Research specific colleges to understand their criteria and ensure your application meets their standards for the best chance of acceptance.