Architecture Royal College of Art

Overview

Working at the intersection of history and theory, critical ecologies, new materialism, digital culture and critical spatial practices, the programme encourages you to investigate issues including globalisation, migration, statelessness, colonial legacies, digital technologies, climate change, social movements and institutional change. You can pursue written academic research or more experimental practice-led work, including architectural projects, heritage preservation, community work, artistic practice, exhibitions or film. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration with academic and non-academic partners, you develop a research project that contributes to contemporary architectural discourse and responds to real-world contexts.

At the RCA, we offer both MPhil and PhD research degrees, which can be studied full-time or part-time (subject to approval) and undertaken by project or thesis modes. A research degree emphasises independence of learning and increased specialisation, requiring you to manage your own research project to investigate your topic in depth and produce new ideas, arguments, and solutions.

A PhD is awarded to students who produce a substantial piece of original research that contributes to the field, either as a thesis (60,000–80,000 words) or a project with a thesis (25,000–40,000 words). Full-time PhD registration is normally three years, with submission within four years; part-time is six to seven years. An MPhil is awarded for original research and submission of a thesis, normally two to three years full-time or four to six years part-time.

RCA research students undertake training both at a college-wide level and within their Schools/Centres, providing robust preparation for research progression and future careers. All students must attend Doctoral Training Weeks in September, February, and July, which include professional development, writing, publishing, achieving impact, and presenting research.

The RCA hosts a Research Biennale every alternate February to showcase research publicly and extend perceptions of art and design research. Students also undergo Annual Progress Reviews to receive formal feedback and a Confirmation Exam midway through PhD study to ascertain readiness for submission; those who do not meet requirements may be recommended to submit for MPhil.

The RCA community includes more than 250 PhD students across Schools and Centres such as Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication, Design, Computer Science Research Centre, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, Material Futures Research Centre, and Robotics Laboratory. The College is ranked the most research-intensive university of art and design in the UK since 2014 and values the contributions of international students.

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.