Ariadne's Thread: A Guide ~ Great Britain ~ London ~ Royal College of Art.

Adviсe

Located in the heart of London, the Royal College of Art is the world's most influential university of art and design. For six years in a row (2015-2020), RCA has been ranked among the world's top universities for art and design in the QS World University subject rankings.

Studying programs

RCA offers 40 postgraduate programs, including masters, doctorates and diplomas.

In addition, the college offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to help students communicate academically in art and design. This includes 8-week and 4-week pre-sessional courses prior to the start of programs and offers sessional support throughout the academic year.

Short courses

The Royal College of Art offers a growing portfolio of short courses that include masterclasses for senior executives, summer courses and bespoke training programs for business and organizational leaders.

Courses for managers

An executive masterclass program designed specifically to equip senior professionals with the most important 21st century business skills such as creativity, critical thinking and empathy.

Visit the course webpages for future dates and register your interest.

Summer school

  • Summer courses range from one day to three weeks, providing participants with unprecedented access to expert knowledge, studios and world-class facilities. These courses are excellent tasters for the RCA Master's degree.

: July 20-24, 2020

Refueling creative industries technical means and research centers foster an exceptionally creative and intellectual environment.

In addition to welcoming students from more than 80 countries, the College's global dimension is enhanced through partnerships with leading art and design, cultural and educational institutions, as well as extensive links with business both nationally and internationally.

According to the latest data, 93% of college graduates got a job at an appropriate professional level in their chosen specialist field within a short time after leaving college. These assignment rates are a significant indicator of RCA's success.

Recognized for the excellence of its graduates, the college boasts such noteworthy alumni as Sir James Dyson, Thomas Heatherwick, David Hockney, Tracey Emin, Christopher Bailey, Len Deighton, Julian Macdonald, Orla Kiely, Alison Jackson, Idris Khan, David Adjay, AOC, Susie Templeton, Sir Ridley Scott - the list goes on."

Royal College of Art - Royal College Of Art. Was organized in London back in 1837, now occupies a very modern building on the street Kensington Gore(Near Albert Hall), which, however, is included in the list of national architectural monuments. Has a well-deserved international reputation. The exceptionally original works of his students are well known, and are presented at the annual exhibition of master's graduates: self-heating dishes, a urinal that detects the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, a flower pot that indicates the need for watering, a foam chair with giant bubbles, and so on... Famous alumni include musicians Adam Ant And Ian Dury, graphic designer Roger Dean, as well as the famous film director Ridley Scott.

The history of this educational institution began in 1837, when it was called Government School of Design, in 1853 it began to be called National Art Training School, and since 1896 has been called Royal College of Art; in 1967 received university status, now occupies a very modern building on the street Kensington Gore, which, however, is included in the list of national architectural monuments. The college offers training in the following specialties - animation, architecture, glass and creative arts, communication arts and design, restoration, contemporary art, interaction design, industrial design, men's and women's fashion clothes, jewelry, design history, industrial engineering design, painting, photography, engraving, sculpture, textiles, design Vehicle, as well as film and television. Has a well-deserved international reputation. It has about 900 students. The exceptionally original works of his students are well known and are presented at the annual exhibition of master's graduates. At various times the following were exhibited here: self-heating cookware ( Name Mark Champkins), a urinal that detects the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, a flower pot that indicates the need for watering, a closed-circuit shower ( Name Peter Brewin), a concrete tarpaulin shelter that can be used by emergency services in disaster areas, thermochromic paint, a multi-tiered wedding cake over 2 meters high, created from 2 thousand human bones in plaster ( Name Jodie Carey), foam chair with giant bubbles ( Rich Gilbert - Rich Gilbert) And so on and so forth...

Kensington Gore

Most students at the Royal College of Art are people who have already finally decided on their future profession and know what they want.

Story

The Royal College of Art, which graduates only masters, is located next to London's main attractions, Royal Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The multi-storey brown building, designed in a constructivist style, boasts a beautiful view from the windows, of which there are incredibly many. Thus, the lecture halls, located on the top floor, overlook the majestic monument to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

The history of the Royal College of Art began relatively recently: the official opening took place in 1967. “The main goal of this educational institution is to provide students with a high-level education, the transfer of knowledge that will make them true professionals in the field of fine arts. All this is achieved through continuous training, scientific research and mutual cooperation with industrial and commercial enterprises,” says the Charter college admitted in the same year.

The prerequisites for the emergence of an art university, training future critics, artists, designers and fashion historians, arose in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1837, the Government School of Design was created, which later became the National School of Arts. In 1896, it became known as the Royal College of Art, and only after 130 years of work received the status of an independent university, setting its own educational standards. Therefore, this year is considered to be the birthday of the Royal College of Art in London.

Features of training

The main difference between the Royal College of Art and other universities in this area is the lack of a bachelor's degree. This is where art graduates receive the highest degree of Master of Arts. Most students at the Royal College of Art are people who have already finally decided on their future profession and know what they want.


The educational institution is structurally divided into several schools, each of which provides classes to develop creative and critical thinking and conducts research. The College consists of the School of Design; Schools of Architecture; Schools of Communications; Schools of Fine Arts; School of Humanities and School of Materials. The latter includes the Faculty of Fashion, which has been led for more than 13 years by Wendy Dagworthy, former dean of St. Martins and one of the founders of London Fashion Week.

Education at the university is based on the implementation of individual creative projects and participation in various industrial competitions. Events of this kind can play a key role in the student’s employment process: companies invite the best to work. One of the main events taking place at King's College is the Work In Progress exhibition of all student projects. Photo albums with sketches and sketches, a huge amount of clothing, pieces of fabric and other materials - all this can be seen here. The Work In Progress exhibition demonstrates not only the final result of the student’s work, but also introduces the creative process itself.


A student's Friday night is usually not complete without a visit to the student bar. Teachers and students love to spend time there, communicating and getting to know each other more informal setting. And this, according to the dean of the Faculty of Fashion, Wendy Dagworth, greatly helps the successful completion of the educational process.

Famous graduates

The list of famous college graduates, which is quite lengthy, speaks for itself. The creative director of the British fashion house Burberry, Christopher Bailey, the famous hatmaker Philip Treacy, and designers James Long and Julian MacDonald emerged from the walls of the Royal College of Art.

“When I entered the Royal College of Art, the whole world opened up before me. I understood where and how I should move on,” said another college graduate, English film director and producer Ridley Scott.


Elena Popova

RCA graduate

Studying at the Royal College of Art - access to fundamentally new level work and creativity. I gained confidence in what I do. The education system in college is completely different from ours, and in positive side. In this place, no one will “spoon feed” you and teach you by running after you. If you know how to ask questions correctly, then they will help you find the answers. It is important to know what you want to get in the end.


Installation by Elena Popova

The first and main difficulty of studying in college is admission. The demand from applicants is really high. But now it should be a little easier, because the British government has "inflated" the prices of education, and not everyone has the opportunity to pay big money for education. Many students often say that those who are especially curious at some point begin to “explode their brain.” There is so much going on in college: seminars, exhibition openings, conversations with strong teachers, huge lists of literature, interesting meetings, parties. It’s impossible to cover everything at once, so you have to choose. It’s also quite difficult to constantly be among very talented and ambitious people.

Admission rules

The Royal College of Art is located in central London. Many nations and cultures have settled here, leaving significant contributions to the city's attractions, parks, museums and shops. This is perfect for this educational institution. It is not for nothing that it is chosen by extraordinary individuals with an unconventional mindset and creative thinking. The college graduates exclusively master's degrees. It is the only one in the country where training is possible only after obtaining a bachelor's degree.

Applicants are people who have already decided on their choice of profession, have an extensive portfolio and want further improvement to realize their goals.

Famous alumni include the famous director Ridley Scott, actor Alan Rickman, sculptor Henry Moore, and fashion designer Ozy Clark.

RCA is a leader in various ratings. For example, in 2016, according to the QS World University Rankings, the subjects of art and design were recognized as the best.

History of origin

The Royal College of Art opened in 1837 as the Government School of Design and took its current name in 1867. But only in 1967 did it become independent and acquire the status of a university. The charter defines the main goal, which involves providing high-level education so that young people are true professionals in their field. Since then, the establishment has enjoyed constant prestige. Its graduates are the legislators of many trends and the founders of new styles. About 90% of them make a successful career by getting jobs in prestigious organizations.

Features of training

After admission, an exciting and eventful life begins - attending lectures, seminars and practical classes, working in workshops, developing individual projects, meeting interesting people. Competitions are constantly organized. Participation in them helps to find a job, since it is profitable for companies to invite those who have distinguished themselves in them. At the exhibitions you can see a lot of unusual things created by talented artists - a foam chair with giant bubbles, cars of the future, special furniture and lighting fixtures.

The environment here is very favorable for cultivating and discovering talents; the process of communication with classmates and teachers is built on respect and mutual understanding. There is a tradition on Fridays to get everyone together in a bar to continue creative collaboration or just chat in an informal setting.

The structure includes 6 schools:

  • Design;
  • Architecture;
  • Communications;
  • Fine Arts;
  • Humanities;
  • Materials.

A total of 25 disciplines are taught, including animation, painting, graphics, glass and ceramics production, photography, sculpture, criticism, men's and women's fashion, textiles, jewelry, car, clothing design, etc.

Studying begins in October and lasts 2-4 years with breaks for holidays.

Infrastructure and equipment

A favorable atmosphere has been created here for creativity. The building itself is an example of beautiful style. Its windows open beautiful views, for example, on the monument to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Nearby are Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. This city is simply a wonderful place to find inspiration that comes while walking, admiring paintings and architecture from different eras, at the opera or theater.

The university has 2 campuses - in Battersea and South Kensington, where training takes place, studios and workshops, lecture halls and laboratories are located.

As for accommodation, the student support service provides assistance in matters of accommodation - its employees negotiate with tenants and real estate agencies who are looking for suitable housing options.

Students have everything at their disposal modern equipment. They can use special computer programs and the latest achievements of science to create the products of their labor. All kinds of tools, machines and devices for laser scanning, vacuum casting, CNC milling, digital imaging are available here to create designer items and realize your wildest ideas.

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