Art & Design Graduate Diploma
London, United Kingdom
Graduate Diploma
DURATION
30 weeks
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,800 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus, Blended, Distance Learning
* Overseas and EU, on-campus | visit the RCA website to find out about fees for this programme as well as scholarship and funding opportunities
Key Summary
About: The Art & Design Graduate Diploma at The Royal College of Art (ranked #1 in QS art & design 2015–2026) bridges undergraduate study and a Master’s. You pick one of five specialisms and study on-campus, online or dual-learning, starting in January, May or September. A Distinction (70%+) guarantees a place on a preferred RCA Master’s; about 60% of 2023–24 students progressed. Entry needs postgraduate English proof (IELTS or equivalent).
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter creative industries, studios, fashion, research or launch enterprises. InnovationRCA supports enterprise, incubation, intellectual property and commercialization. Career opportunities include founder, designer, creative director, researcher and design consultant.
The 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.
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.
- Choose from five specialisms: Communication, Design, Fashion & Textiles, Fine Art or Research.
- Begin the course when it suits you with start dates in January, May and September.
- Pick from on-campus, online or dual-learning modes of study.
- Support your progression towards Master’s study at the RCA through portfolio development, academic skills and programme-specific guidance.
Progress to Master's study
Gaining a Distinction (70% or above for your final grade) on the Graduate Diploma guarantees you a place on your preferred Master's programme related to your specialism on the Graduate Diploma. All other students passing the programme will be guaranteed consideration for Master's programmes of their choice. This is subject to availability of places.
Although numbers change from year to year, around 60% of students who studied the Graduate Diploma in the academic year 2023/4 were accepted for further study at the RCA.
Entry to programmes is conditional on students meeting postgraduate English-language requirements demonstrated by an additional IELTS test or equivalent.
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 Graduate Diploma Art & Design at the RCA is a 30‑week, 120‑credit pre‑Master’s programme that provides a bridge between undergraduate study (or non-practical backgrounds) and a full Master’s.
You choose one of five specialisms: Communication, Design, Fashion & Textiles, Fine Art, or Research. You study either on campus, online, or through a mix of both.
The programme is interdisciplinary, offering studio-based learning, access to technicalfacilities, and a supportive community of artists, thinkers and practitioners.
Over two 15‑week blocks, you first explore broad themes and learning methods, then focus on developing a body of work and a portfolio.
You’ll build a portfolio that prepares you for progression. Distinction guarantees entry to RCA MA and MRes programmes aligned with your specialism, subject to availability.
Throughout, the programme emphasises independent learning, critical thinking, and the practices needed to develop your creative identity.
Programme structure
Unit 1:Learning
This runs throughout the programme and develops your critical and analytical thinking, while also supporting your English-language skills to the level needed for Master’s study.
Unit 2: Art & Design Practice
You work on structured briefs or self-directed projects, exploring advanced art and design practice. The unit encourages open-ended investigation and discussion rather than fixed right/wrong outcomes.
Unit 3: Independent Art & Design Practice
In the second half of the programme, you delve into a self-directed practice. You take part in critiques and present works-in-progress, demonstrating maturity and clarity in your creative decision-making.
Unit 4: Portfolio
Over the full 30 weeks, you compile a digital portfolio that reflects your skills, ideas and understanding of context. This portfolio supports your progression to a Master’s programme.
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.
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 in the link below.
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.
This is the sweet spot: rigorous yet exploratory, structured yet open, and transformative in both process and outcome.
What types of jobs to graduates go on to?
The RCA has consistently produced world leaders in the fields of creative endeavour – acting as a launchpad for the careers of major international figures.
Our alumni shape the world – whether founding their own studios and brands, pushing the boundaries of possibility through their start-ups or taking on impressive roles with global companies across a wide range of disciplines.
What if they want to start their own business?
Our creative students have ambitions of being their own boss and making their own decisions, so launch their own enterprises or studios either soon after graduating or any some time employed in industry. Many did not intend to start their studies considering themselves entrepreneurs but discovered an idea during their studies with their fellow students that they believe would make a successful business. InnovationRCA – the College’s centre for student and graduate enterprise and entrepreneurship – supports students and recent graduates to transform compelling ideas into successful businesses, providing incubation, intellectual property and commercialisation support.
Students from over 70 countries come to the RCA. We welcome applications from talented, creative individuals from all over the world. Many are from backgrounds you might expect such as art, design, architecture, communications, media and humanities. Others come from disciplines as broad as engineering, social sciences, technology, toolmaking, medicine, business, law, physics, life coaching, economics, teaching, music, etc. The list is endless. What RCA students share is the potential, commitment and ambition to make change in the world through art and design.
- On campus: 30 weeks on campus
- Online: 30 weeks online
- Hybrid (Blended): 15 weeks online, 15 weeks on campus