Overview

The Arts and Design Graduate Diploma at the Royal College of Art is a prestigious programme for curious and driven individuals ready to take their creative practice further. Whether you're from a creative or non-creative background, it provides a unique space between undergraduate study and a full Master’s that offers the time, structure, and freedom to commit more deeply to your work.

What you'll learn

Through its interdisciplinary approach, breadth of technical facilities, and vibrant community of artists, thinkers, and expert practitioners, you’ll be challenged to experiment, collaborate, and expand your horizons.

Graduates leave with more than a strengthened portfolio. They gain the confidence and clarity to define their creative identity – whether progressing to a Master’s at the RCA, entering the creative industries, or pursuing new personal and professional directions.

Programme Structure

Choose from five specialisms:

Communication
Design
Fashion & Textiles
Fine Art
Research

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-14 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-07 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-04 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2027-05-04 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

IELTS

5.5

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Credits

120 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus, Blended, Online

Campus Location

London, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Design Liberal Arts View 379 other Masters in Design in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

IELTS

5.5

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Other requirements

General requirements

We would like you to upload a range of work into the five slots available; consider each slot as a body of work or research focus. This could either be five projects, or five groupings of work.
Please provide a 300-word written personal statement that addresses the following points:
Introduce yourself, your interests and your motivations for applying to the Royal College of Art, and to this programme in particular.
Briefly summarise any educational background and professional experience to date that will support your application.
Tell us what you want to do in the future.

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

21800 GBP / year

≈ 21800 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

10200 GBP / year

≈ 10200 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

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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.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Arts and Design.

Available Scholarships

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

Arts and Design

About

On this page

About

Overview

What you'll learn

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

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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