Royal College of Art: Graduate Diploma Art & Design

Prospective Diploma in Art & Design applicants are likely to be:

– Those who have the required educational background to go on to Master’s study, but who require greater proficiency in the English language.
– Those who do not have an undergraduate background in art and design, but who can demonstrate potential in their chosen discipline of study.
– Those for whom their undergraduate studies did not adequately prepare them for Master’s study at the RCA.
– Those who would like to use the programme as a diagnostic experience to help them decide which area to specialise in at Master’s level.

Candidates are selected for places entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The first part of the Entrance Examination consists of an assessment of the application and portfolio of work. If successful at assessment stage, students will be invited to the second part of the Entrance Examination, a formal interview with the appropriate admissions board, and for some specialisms, practical tests. The programme may choose to offer a place without an interview but reserves the right to invite candidates for interview.

The Graduate Diploma consists of two blocks of 15-week study, with the first block including an introduction to specialist study at Master’s level in art and design and leading towards further and more in-depth study, practice and portfolio development in the second block.

The first part offers a theme-based introduction to the specialist study of art and design, and the various study options available in the field together with an introduction to the kinds of learning methods that students are likely to encounter in the study of art and design.

The second part of the programme will enable students to focus in more depth on the preparation of a body of work and portfolio.

The curriculum outline is as follows:

Unit 1: Learning, 20 credits

This unit runs throughout the programme and is intended to enhance students’ critical and analytical skills and to support the development of English language skills to the requisite level for Master’s study.

Unit 2: Art & Design Practice, 40 credits

This unit introduces students to advanced practices of art and design. Students will have the opportunity to work around structured project briefs or in self-directed study mode, depending on their prior learning and future course of study. The unit fosters discursive learning and engagement with topics and issues that do not necessarily have right or wrong outcomes.

Unit 3: Independent Art & Design Practice, 40 credits

In the second 15-week block, students move to a more independently determined and focussed mode of learning. Working from a negotiated brief, students will be expected to participate in critiques and exhibit their works in progress. The unit will help students to make self-determined judgements about their practice, to display their work and to speak about it clearly and cogently.

Unit 4: Portfolio, 20 credits

The Portfolio unit runs throughout the programme and culminates in the production of a digital portfolio that students will be able to use to seek admission to further study at Master’s level. Students will be supported in selecting materials and presenting work which fully articulates their abilities and contextual awareness.

All students passing the programme with a Distinction will be guaranteed entry to an RCA MA programme that reflects their specialism of study on the Graduate Diploma (subject to availability of places). All other students passing the programme will be guaranteed an interview to the RCA MA programme of their choice. Entry to the RCA programmes is of course conditional on students meeting postgraduate English language requirements demonstrated by an additional IELTS test or equivalent.

In instances where students would like to progress to RCA dual awards (MA programmes offered with collaborative partners), or accredited programmes, applicants will be considered but they will be required to satisfy entry requirements of the partner institution or accrediting body as well as the minimum RCA entry requirements.

Prospective Diploma in Art & Design applicants are likely to be:

– Those who have the required educational background to go on to Master’s study, but who require greater proficiency in the English language.
– Those who do not have an undergraduate background in art and design, but who can demonstrate potential in their chosen discipline of study.
– Those for whom their undergraduate studies did not adequately prepare them for Master’s study at the RCA.
– Those who would like to use the programme as a diagnostic experience to help them decide which area to specialise in at Master’s level.

Candidates are selected for places entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The first part of the Entrance Examination consists of an assessment of the application and portfolio of work. If successful at assessment stage, students will be invited to the second part of the Entrance Examination, a formal interview with the appropriate admissions board, and for some specialisms, practical tests. The programme may choose to offer a place without an interview but reserves the right to invite candidates for interview.

The Graduate Diploma consists of two blocks of 15-week study, with the first block including an introduction to specialist study at Master’s level in art and design and leading towards further and more in-depth study, practice and portfolio development in the second block.

The first part offers a theme-based introduction to the specialist study of art and design, and the various study options available in the field together with an introduction to the kinds of learning methods that students are likely to encounter in the study of art and design.

The second part of the programme will enable students to focus in more depth on the preparation of a body of work and portfolio.

The curriculum outline is as follows:

Unit 1: Learning, 20 credits

This unit runs throughout the programme and is intended to enhance students’ critical and analytical skills and to support the development of English language skills to the requisite level for Master’s study.

Unit 2: Art & Design Practice, 40 credits

This unit introduces students to advanced practices of art and design. Students will have the opportunity to work around structured project briefs or in self-directed study mode, depending on their prior learning and future course of study. The unit fosters discursive learning and engagement with topics and issues that do not necessarily have right or wrong outcomes.

Unit 3: Independent Art & Design Practice, 40 credits

In the second 15-week block, students move to a more independently determined and focussed mode of learning. Working from a negotiated brief, students will be expected to participate in critiques and exhibit their works in progress. The unit will help students to make self-determined judgements about their practice, to display their work and to speak about it clearly and cogently.

Unit 4: Portfolio, 20 credits

The Portfolio unit runs throughout the programme and culminates in the production of a digital portfolio that students will be able to use to seek admission to further study at Master’s level. Students will be supported in selecting materials and presenting work which fully articulates their abilities and contextual awareness.

All students passing the programme with a Distinction will be guaranteed entry to an RCA MA programme that reflects their specialism of study on the Graduate Diploma (subject to availability of places). All other students passing the programme will be guaranteed an interview to the RCA MA programme of their choice. Entry to the RCA programmes is of course conditional on students meeting postgraduate English language requirements demonstrated by an additional IELTS test or equivalent.

In instances where students would like to progress to RCA dual awards (MA programmes offered with collaborative partners), or accredited programmes, applicants will be considered but they will be required to satisfy entry requirements of the partner institution or accrediting body as well as the minimum RCA entry requirements.

Prospective Diploma in Art & Design applicants are likely to be:

– Those who have the required educational background to go on to Master’s study, but who require greater proficiency in the English language.
– Those who do not have an undergraduate background in art and design, but who can demonstrate potential in their chosen discipline of study.
– Those for whom their undergraduate studies did not adequately prepare them for Master’s study at the RCA.
– Those who would like to use the programme as a diagnostic experience to help them decide which area to specialise in at Master’s level.

Candidates are selected for places entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The first part of the Entrance Examination consists of an assessment of the application and portfolio of work. If successful at assessment stage, students will be invited to the second part of the Entrance Examination, a formal interview with the appropriate admissions board, and for some specialisms, practical tests. The programme may choose to offer a place without an interview but reserves the right to invite candidates for interview.

The Graduate Diploma consists of two blocks of 15-week study, with the first block including an introduction to specialist study at Master’s level in art and design and leading towards further and more in-depth study, practice and portfolio development in the second block.

The first part offers a theme-based introduction to the specialist study of art and design, and the various study options available in the field together with an introduction to the kinds of learning methods that students are likely to encounter in the study of art and design.

The second part of the programme will enable students to focus in more depth on the preparation of a body of work and portfolio.

The curriculum outline is as follows:

Unit 1: Learning, 20 credits

This unit runs throughout the programme and is intended to enhance students’ critical and analytical skills and to support the development of English language skills to the requisite level for Master’s study.

Unit 2: Art & Design Practice, 40 credits

This unit introduces students to advanced practices of art and design. Students will have the opportunity to work around structured project briefs or in self-directed study mode, depending on their prior learning and future course of study. The unit fosters discursive learning and engagement with topics and issues that do not necessarily have right or wrong outcomes.

Unit 3: Independent Art & Design Practice, 40 credits

In the second 15-week block, students move to a more independently determined and focussed mode of learning. Working from a negotiated brief, students will be expected to participate in critiques and exhibit their works in progress. The unit will help students to make self-determined judgements about their practice, to display their work and to speak about it clearly and cogently.

Unit 4: Portfolio, 20 credits

The Portfolio unit runs throughout the programme and culminates in the production of a digital portfolio that students will be able to use to seek admission to further study at Master’s level. Students will be supported in selecting materials and presenting work which fully articulates their abilities and contextual awareness.

All students passing the programme with a Distinction will be guaranteed entry to an RCA MA programme that reflects their specialism of study on the Graduate Diploma (subject to availability of places). All other students passing the programme will be guaranteed an interview to the RCA MA programme of their choice. Entry to the RCA programmes is of course conditional on students meeting postgraduate English language requirements demonstrated by an additional IELTS test or equivalent.

In instances where students would like to progress to RCA dual awards (MA programmes offered with collaborative partners), or accredited programmes, applicants will be considered but they will be required to satisfy entry requirements of the partner institution or accrediting body as well as the minimum RCA entry requirements.