Overview

The MA Visual Communication at the RCA supports designers to develop thoughtful, collaborative and socially engaged practices. Communication is understood not as transmission, but as conversation: situated, embodied and grounded in listening. Through a research-led and interdisciplinary approach, you will work with communities, contexts and the politics of visual culture, exploring design as inquiry, resistance and care. You will translate ideas, events, data and experiences into artefacts, narratives or connections in the physical, digital or virtual, building bridges between people and ideas. The programme embraces diverse media and practices including type-design, moving image, publishing, sound, performance, and writing, enabling you to ask better questions and participate in reshaping the world.

Programme Structure

In Term 1 you take Encounters, developing conversations within a critical framework by staging interactions across disciplines, communities, and sites, encouraging inquiry into alternative models of knowledge production.

In Term 2, Making Worlds with Others focuses on cross-school collaboration to create critically engaged projects involving convivial knowledge exchange and public engagement. You also take Affinities, building on questions from Encounters by connecting with people, objects, and ideas, experimenting with new modes of making and listening, and developing collective knowledge.

In Term 3, the Independent Research Project establishes your work in external contexts using programme methods and tools, culminating in a public-facing activity such as an exhibition or publication.

AcrossRCA in Terms 1–2 enables cross-programme collaboration on themed projects addressing cultural, social, environmental, or economic issues.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-14 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-03 00:00:00

More details

Applications are now open for September 2026 entry. Round 2 application deadline: 17 March 2026, 12:00 (UK time). Round 3 deadline: Wednesday 3 June 2026(12:00)

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

London, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Visual Arts Graphic Design Digital Media View 116 other Masters in Graphic Design in United Kingdom

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and from all over the world.
RCA alumni come from a wide range of backgrounds and industries, bringing diverse experiences including those unrelated to art, which enrich the creative community and drive fresh perspectives.
As part of your application, you may need to submit:
- A portfolio showcasing your work and artistic vision.
- A personal statement (around 300 words) describing your interests, motivations, and future goals.
- An introduction video (maximum 2 minutes) to introduce yourself and explain your artistic approach and project ideas.
To help you prepare your application, we host regular portfolio and video Q&A sessions. Please visit the RCA website to learn more about these events and to register.
Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up to date information on entry requirements for this programme.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

38650 GBP / year

≈ 38650 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

15450 GBP / year

≈ 15450 GBP / year

Additional Details

Please refer to the programe webpage for the most up-to-date information on tuition fees, deposits, and additional costs for both home and overseas/ EU students

Living costs

London

United Kingdom

1137 - 2157 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

RCA offers a wide range of funding opportunities to support postgraduate study, including a variety of tuition fee and living cost scholarships.

Beyond financial support, many of these scholarships also provide networking opportunities with peers, partnership organisations and professional bodies to enhance your experience.

You can find more information about available scholarships and their eligibility criteria here: https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-to-study/funding-your-studies/rca-scholarships-and-awards/

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Loading

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Visual Communication MA (Graphic Design, Illustration & Experimental Communication).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

London

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners