History of Design Royal College of Art

Overview

You work across the RCA and the Victoria and Albert Museum, using museum spaces, archives, galleries and public settings to develop research-led learning and hands-on approaches to design history. The programme explores global and diverse histories across fashion and textiles, graphic, architectural and urban design, theatre and performance, photography, craft, making and digital materialities. You develop rigorous historical research skills while engaging with urgent questions around social injustice, decolonisation and climate change. Through public-facing and collaborative approaches, you develop your own research voice and prepare for professional practice across museums, cultural organisations, design, media and related fields.

Key facts

Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information about the programme, its structure, modules and any updates or changes.

The Royal College of Art is the world’s leading postgraduate art and design university, providing students with unrivalled opportunities to develop their practice, build their networks, enhance their career and to deliver art and design projects that transform the world.

For 12 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2026) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.