Royal College of Art admissions are available to international students in September and January intakes. Indian students can choose from over 20 programs at RCA, including master’s, doctoral, and short courses. Popular fields include Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, Communication, and Humanities. Currently, the RCA London is accepting applications for the January and September intakes in 2026. The application deadlines are:
For January 2026 entry:
- December 5, 2025
For September 2026 entry:
- Round 1: January 19, 2026
- Round 2: March 17, 2026
- Round 3: June 3, 2026
Indian students can for admission to RCA London in any of these 3 rounds in January, March, and June for the September entry. However, students applying within the first 2 rounds stand a chance of securing RCA scholarships. You must hold a recognized undergraduate degree to get into RCA. Indian students should have an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, 6.0 in writing, and 5.5 in other sections to meet English proficiency requirements. Additionally, you need to submit a digital portfolio, 300-word personal statement, and a 2-minute video as supporting documents to be eligible for RCA London admissions.
Royal College of Art Popular Courses and Fees for 2026
Royal College of Art offers 20+ courses as Master’s, MPhil, PhD and Graduate Diploma programs. As it is the #1 institute in the world for Arts and Design (QS 2025), Innovative Design Engineering, Design Products, Architecture are among the popular postgraduate courses of RCA. The annual tuition fees of these courses are as tabulated below.
| 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 Application Deadlines 2026 and Intakes
Indian students can apply for Royal College of Art admissions in September and January intakes in UK. Applications for postgraduate courses at RCA, including Master’s, MPhil, and PhD are processed in 3 rounds for the September intake and only 1 round for the January intake.
Eligible students receiving offers in Round 1 or 2 will be eligible to apply for RCA scholarships. Indian students are advised to apply early due to the large number of applications and limited scholarships.
Deadlines and Important Dates 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 |
Deadline for January 2026 Entry:
Royal College of Art is now accepting applications for the graduate diploma, Master’s, MPhil, & PhD programs starting in January 2026. The important dates are:
- Application Opens: October 20, 2025
- Final Deadline: December 5, 2025 (12 noon, UK time)
Kindly note, a few Master's degrees, graduate diploma programs and all Research degrees are available for the January intake. The list of courses is available in the RCA’s official website. Students aiming for other courses must consider the September 2026 intake.
Royal College of Art Application Process
Indian students may apply to a maximum of 2 programs at Royal College of Art, London. You cannot apply to the same program more than once a year. The institute charges no application fee from anyone.
A breakdown of the key steps is provided below:
| Steps | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Selection | Choose your desired program and review its specific entrance and portfolio requirements on the program page. |
| 2 | Online Registration | Create an account on the RCA Applicant Portal, verify your email, and set a password. |
| 3 | Application Completion | Fill out the form and upload all required documents and digital portfolio. Applications can be saved and completed later. |
Note: The online application form has a "Save" feature, allowing you to complete it in multiple sessions, if you do not want to complete in one go.
Royal College of Art Admission Requirements for International Students
For admission to the postgraduate taught programs at Royal College of Art, prospective Indian students require the following:
- Academic qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject)
- Lower second class degree (50-60%)
- Personal and contact details
- Contact details for referees
- Digital Portfolio:
- 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)
- English language proficiency test score:
- IELTS: 6.5 with a 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in other skills
- Passport image
- Accessibility support needs
- Personal demographic information.
Note: Students coming from non-art background can also apply to the courses at Royal College of Art, based on academic merit and strong portfolio.
Royal College of Art Admissions Contact: You can contact the Registry at admissions@rca.ac.uk for any questions about a partial or completed application or offer. Make sure to include your applicant ID number in the email subject line.
Royal College of Art Admission Decision
Royal College of Art offers admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Prospective Indian students must apply as early as possible to have high chances of securing admission. The institute notifies applicants about admission decision within 6 weeks. Once the university offers you a place, you need to confirm acceptance and pay the deposit within 3 weeks.
Application Process & Status Tracking:
- After submitting the application, a confirmation email with an application number will be sent to you.
- This application number must be used in all communication regarding your admission status.
- You can track the application status in the Applicant Portal.
Royal College of Art Application Outcome
The 4 types of application outcomes at Royal College of Art are as follows:
- Formal Offer: Admission is granted to your selected program.
- Waiting List: If the program is full, you may be placed on a waitlist.
- Alternative Offer: You may receive an offer for a place in the Graduate Diploma Art & Design pre-Master's program (January, May, or September intake).
- Rejection: The application was unsuccessful.
Royal College of Art Interview Requirement
RCA might require you to appear for an interview if your application does not provide enough information for a decision.
- Interviews can be conducted either in person or online.
- Receiving an interview request does not impact your chance of getting an admission offer.
- The invitation email will contain details on the interview format and required preparation.
Also Check: Royal College of Art Reviews
Royal College of Art Acceptance Rate and Student Statistics
Royal College of Art acceptance rate stands at around 27% overall, showing high selectivity. Currently, around 2,300 students are enrolled to this university.
Royal College of Art, London, is the best postgraduate art and design university in the world for 11 consecutive years, according to QS. Due to its high academic standards, the university has a competitive admission process. RCA follows a first-come, first-served admission policy and processes applications in three rounds. For all these reasons, Indian students are highly encouraged to apply early to stand the best chance of securing admission to Royal College of Art, London.
FAQs
Ques. How hard is it to get into Royal College of Art as an Indian student?
Ans. Royal College of Art is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 27.2%. Admission to RCA is, hence, highly competitive for Indian students. You must have a strong academic record, an excellent digital portfolio, and a well-crafted personal statement for securing a place at the institute. Applying early can increase your chances of admission due to the first-come, first-served admission process of RCA.
Ques. How much percentage is required for Royal College of Art?
Ans. Royal College of Art requires a Lower Second-Class degree (50-60%) in a relevant field for admission to its master’s programs. Course-specific percentage requirements may slightly vary based on your chosen program. Students from non-art backgrounds can also apply to the institute, given, they can present a strong portfolio demonstrating creative ability.
Ques. Is RCA only for master’s programs?
Ans. No, Royal College of Art primarily offers master’s programs but also provides doctoral (MPhil/PhD) and pre-master’s options. The institute also offers short courses in various creative fields. The Graduate Diploma Art & Design works as a foundation program for students transitioning into master’s studies.
Ques. How many students go to Royal College of Art?
Ans. Royal College of Art currently has around 2,300 students from over 60 countries. The small student population provides a more focused and specialized learning space.
Royal College of Art Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD 58,773 /Yr GBP 42,900 /Yr | IELTS 6.5, PTE 59 |
Do you think the Dates are wrong ? Report Here
Course Finder - Search from 50K+ courses
Popular Streams:
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
Scholarship
- No, I did not receive any scholarship. My university did not offer many opportunities and they were mostly for domestic students.
- A few of my batchmates had the Apple scholarship, which paid for their entire tuition fees.
- My university currently has over 300 scholarship opportunities for this incoming year and they vary in amounts (partial amount of tuition fees, full amount, full amount plus living costs)
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
Scholarship
-
There are Scholarships available for students who fall under the eligibility criteria.
The ones that college provides are the following:
- RCA Scholarships and Awards
- GREAT Scholarships
- Specific Program and Demographic Scholarships - The amount varies for each scholarship and depends on the eligibility. These scholarships can cover accommodation, tuition or even daily essential expenditure.
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.
interested in this College ?
Follow & Share this college to get information about admission.
| Program | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| M.A Innovation Design Engineering M.Sc. | Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (7th Jan 2026) |
Comments