May 15th (Round 1), July 1st (Round 2) - Variable by year
Level
Postgraduate (MA, MFA, MDes, MArch, MRes, PhD)
Acceptance
Approximately 12-15% (Institutional average)
Difficulty
Very High
Quick Summary
Royal College of Art offers Royal College of Art (RCA) Scholarships, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to United Kingdom. The award covers The scholarship provides significant financial relief by covering tuition fees and, in some cases, providing a maintenance stipend to cover living costs in London. and is open to postgraduate (ma, mfa, mdes, march, mres, phd) students studying art, design, communication, architecture, humanities. The scholarship runs for 1 to 2 years depending on program length. Eligibility is generally based on open to home and international students who have applied for and received an offer for an eligible postgraduate program at RCA. Criteria often prioritize underrepresented groups or exceptional talent. The application deadline is May 15th (Round 1), July 1st (Round 2) - Variable by year, with an acceptance rate of approximately Approximately 12-15% (Institutional average). Competition for this scholarship varies year to year, so early preparation of required documents is recommended.
✨ Should I Apply for Royal College of Art (RCA) Scholarships?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
15%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Competitive
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Varies from £2,000 to £35,000
⏳
Duration
1 to 2 years depending on program length
📅
Deadline
May 15th (Round 1), July 1st (Round 2) - Variable by year
Over 200 scholarships and bursaries are awarded annually
🌏
Study Country
United Kingdom
🏛️
Provider
Royal College of Art
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 12-15% (Institutional average)
The Royal College of Art offers a diverse range of scholarships to support the most talented students globally. These awards aim to reduce financial barriers for those entering the world's leading art and design university.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to home and international students who have applied for and received an offer for an eligible postgraduate program at RCA. Criteria often prioritize underrepresented groups or exceptional talent.
The scholarship provides significant financial relief by covering tuition fees and, in some cases, providing a maintenance stipend to cover living costs in London.
🎯 Target Students
Domestic and International Students
🏷 Tags
Fine ArtDesignLondonPostgraduateArchitectureCreative Arts
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Varies (Thousands globally)
Applicants Last Year
200+
Winners
Approximately 12-15% (Institutional average)
Acceptance Rate
Competitive
Competition Level
Win Probability
15%
Match Score
72%
Competition
75%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Full or Partial depending on the specific award
Living Stipend
Varies (Available for specific awards such as the Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship)
Total Award
Varies from £2,000 to £35,000
✈️ Travel: Varies (Usually for specific research-based grants)🏠 Accommodation: Included within living stipend for specific awards💊 Health Insurance: Not included (International students must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge)🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: £0 (Scholarship application is free; admission application fee applies)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Full or Partial depending on the specific award
🏠 Living Stipend
Varies (Available for specific awards such as the Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship)
🏡 Accommodation
Included within living stipend for specific awards
✈️ Travel Allowance
Varies (Usually for specific research-based grants)
💊 Health Insurance
Not included (International students must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge)
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to specialized studios, creative network, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Maintenance of satisfactory academic progress and attendance
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must have an offer to study at RCA, exhibit financial need or high merit
🎓 Academic Level
Postgraduate (MA, MFA, MDes, MArch, MRes, PhD)
📊 Minimum GPA
Equivalent to a UK 2:1 or higher (Approx 3.0+ GPA)
🗣️ English Requirement
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (Varies by program)
💼 Work Experience
Not mandatory but portfolio of work is critical
🏆 Leadership
Not required, though community engagement is valued
💰 Financial Need
Required for specific bursaries and need-based awards
🎯 Target Students
Domestic and International Students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal Statement and Scholarship Statement)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two references required for program admission)
Interview
Yes (As part of the admission process for most programs)
Application Fee
£0 (Scholarship application is free; admission application fee applies)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Two references required for program admission) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (Varies by program)
Interview: Yes (As part of the admission process for most programs)
Min GPA: Equivalent to a UK 2:1 or higher (Approx 3.0+ GPA)
📋 Application Process
Focus heavily on your portfolio; RCA is highly visual. Clearly articulate how your work contributes to the future of your specific field.
💡 Insider Tip: Apply for the program as early as possible. You cannot apply for scholarships until you have a formal offer of study.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
January
⏰ Deadline
May 15th (Round 1), July 1st (Round 2) - Variable by year
🎤 Interview
Yes (As part of the admission process for most programs)
🎓 Study Starts
September
January
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
May 15th (Round 1), July 1st (Round 2) - Variable by year
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (As part of the admission process for most programs)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Creative potential, academic excellence, portfolio strength, and financial eligibility
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Royal College of Art (RCA) ScholarshipsCurrent
United Kingdom
Full Funding
Postgraduate (MA, MFA, MDes, MArch, MRes, PhD)
—
🇬🇧 National Film and Television School (NFTS) Scholarship
Open to home and international students who have applied for and received an offer for an eligible postgraduate program at RCA. Criteria often prioritize underrepresented groups or exceptional talent.
This scholarship covers: The scholarship provides significant financial relief by covering tuition fees and, in some cases, providing a maintenance stipend to cover living costs in London.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is May 15th (Round 1), July 1st (Round 2) - Variable by year. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Approximately 12-15% (Institutional average). Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (Varies by program), Yes (Two references required for program admission) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.