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The MFA Arts & Humanities at the RCA enables you to deepen, reset or activate your creative practice within a rich, research led environment that bridges theory and making. You choose from a wide range of electives spanning spatial practices, health & care, AI, digital infrastructures and more, and work on a live project in partnership with external organisations such as hospital trusts or local councils. Throughout the programme, you collaborate with writers, filmmakers, performers, curators and other creative practitioners, while exploring critically the conditions that shape your practice and building a global community for the future.
Programme structure:
Core units:
1) Conditions You critically analyse the history, context and philosophies of art from a global perspective. The unit asks you to reflect on how dominant art narratives (such as western canon) shape power dynamics and considers how art might challenge and respond to issues like systemic racism and inequality.
2) Positions You examine the professional sphere in which your work operates. This involves identifying how you want to engage audiences, building a research informed practice, and thinking ethically and strategically about the future of your work.
3) Live You respond to a “live context” by working on real-world, externally facing projects. This helps you explore how your practice can meaningfully engage with public audiences, stakeholders or institutions.
Electives:
1) School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH) Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You take a series of electives within the School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH), studied in sequential pairs, to align your practice with a specific research area. These units challenge you to position your work within a research context and explore how it can contribute to expanding knowledge in that area.
2) College-wide Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You choose two college-wide electives from other RCA Schools, such as MRes RCA or MEd Creative Education. These units broaden your learning community and encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue to inform your research and practice.
Referring to the website:
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. About RCA:
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 11 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2025) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Art and Design
Degree
MFA
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
Description:
The MFA Arts & Humanities at the RCA enables you to deepen, reset or activate your creative practice within a rich, research led environment that bridges theory and making. You choose from a wide range of electives spanning spatial practices, health & care, AI, digital infrastructures and more, and work on a live project in partnership with external organisations such as hospital trusts or local councils. Throughout the programme, you collaborate with writers, filmmakers, performers, curators and other creative practitioners, while exploring critically the conditions that shape your practice and building a global community for the future.
Programme structure:
Core units:
1) Conditions You critically analyse the history, context and philosophies of art from a global perspective. The unit asks you to reflect on how dominant art narratives (such as western canon) shape power dynamics and considers how art might challenge and respond to issues like systemic racism and inequality.
2) Positions You examine the professional sphere in which your work operates. This involves identifying how you want to engage audiences, building a research informed practice, and thinking ethically and strategically about the future of your work.
3) Live You respond to a “live context” by working on real-world, externally facing projects. This helps you explore how your practice can meaningfully engage with public audiences, stakeholders or institutions.
Electives:
1) School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH) Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You take a series of electives within the School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH), studied in sequential pairs, to align your practice with a specific research area. These units challenge you to position your work within a research context and explore how it can contribute to expanding knowledge in that area.
2) College-wide Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You choose two college-wide electives from other RCA Schools, such as MRes RCA or MEd Creative Education. These units broaden your learning community and encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue to inform your research and practice.
Referring to the website:
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. About RCA:
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 11 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2025) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.
Admission Requirements
6.5+
English Language requirements:
Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information on English language requirements.
You can also find further details on English language requirements, approved English language tests, equivalent IELTS scores, exempt criteria, and more through the link below.
https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-to-study/ english -language-requirements/
Entry Requirement:
We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and from all over the world.
RCA alumni come from a wide range of backgrounds and industries, bringing diverse experiences including those unrelated to art, which enrich the creative community and drive fresh perspectives.
As part of your application, you may need to submit:
A portfolio showcasing your work and artistic vision.
A personal statement (around 300 words) describing your interests, motivations, and future goals.
An introduction video (maximum 2 minutes) to introduce yourself and explain your artistic approach and project ideas.
To help you prepare your application, we host regular portfolio and video Q&A sessions. Please visit the RCA website to learn more about these events and to register.
Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up to date information on entry requirements for this programme.
19 Jan 2026
Sep
Tuition fees
Domestic
15,450 GBP
International
38,650 GBP
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
Arts & Humanities MFA
Battersea, London, United Kingdom
# 1QS Subject Rankings
38,650 GBPTuition Fee/year
19 Jan, 2026Application Deadline
Art and DesignMain Subject Area
Programme overview
Main Subject
Art and Design
Degree
MFA
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
The MFA Arts & Humanities at the RCA enables you to deepen, reset or activate your creative practice within a rich, research led environment that bridges theory and making. You choose from a wide range of electives spanning spatial practices, health & care, AI, digital infrastructures and more, and work on a live project in partnership with external organisations such as hospital trusts or local councils. Throughout the programme, you collaborate with writers, filmmakers, performers, curators and other creative practitioners, while exploring critically the conditions that shape your practice and building a global community for the future.
Programme structure:
Core units:
1) Conditions
You critically analyse the history, context and philosophies of art from a global perspective. The unit asks you to reflect on how dominant art narratives (such as western canon) shape power dynamics and considers how art might challenge and respond to issues like systemic racism and inequality.
2) Positions
You examine the professional sphere in which your work operates. This involves identifying how you want to engage audiences, building a research informed practice, and thinking ethically and strategically about the future of your work.
3) Live
You respond to a “live context” by working on real-world, externally facing projects. This helps you explore how your practice can meaningfully engage with public audiences, stakeholders or institutions.
Electives:
1) School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH) Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You take a series of electives within the School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH), studied in sequential pairs, to align your practice with a specific research area. These units challenge you to position your work within a research context and explore how it can contribute to expanding knowledge in that area.2) College-wide Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You choose two college-wide electives from other RCA Schools, such as MRes RCA or MEd Creative Education. These units broaden your learning community and encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue to inform your research and practice.
Referring to the website:
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.
About RCA:
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 11 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2025) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Art and Design
Degree
MFA
Study Level
Masters
Study Mode
On Campus
The MFA Arts & Humanities at the RCA enables you to deepen, reset or activate your creative practice within a rich, research led environment that bridges theory and making. You choose from a wide range of electives spanning spatial practices, health & care, AI, digital infrastructures and more, and work on a live project in partnership with external organisations such as hospital trusts or local councils. Throughout the programme, you collaborate with writers, filmmakers, performers, curators and other creative practitioners, while exploring critically the conditions that shape your practice and building a global community for the future.
Programme structure:
Core units:
1) Conditions
You critically analyse the history, context and philosophies of art from a global perspective. The unit asks you to reflect on how dominant art narratives (such as western canon) shape power dynamics and considers how art might challenge and respond to issues like systemic racism and inequality.
2) Positions
You examine the professional sphere in which your work operates. This involves identifying how you want to engage audiences, building a research informed practice, and thinking ethically and strategically about the future of your work.
3) Live
You respond to a “live context” by working on real-world, externally facing projects. This helps you explore how your practice can meaningfully engage with public audiences, stakeholders or institutions.
Electives:
1) School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH) Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You take a series of electives within the School of Arts & Humanities (SoAH), studied in sequential pairs, to align your practice with a specific research area. These units challenge you to position your work within a research context and explore how it can contribute to expanding knowledge in that area.2) College-wide Electives (Terms 1 & 2)
You choose two college-wide electives from other RCA Schools, such as MRes RCA or MEd Creative Education. These units broaden your learning community and encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue to inform your research and practice.
Referring to the website:
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.
About RCA:
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 11 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2025) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.
Admission Requirements
English Language requirements:
Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information on English language requirements.
You can also find further details on English language requirements, approved English language tests, equivalent IELTS scores, exempt criteria, and more through the link below.
https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-to-study/ english -language-requirements/
Entry Requirement:
We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and from all over the world.
RCA alumni come from a wide range of backgrounds and industries, bringing diverse experiences including those unrelated to art, which enrich the creative community and drive fresh perspectives.
As part of your application, you may need to submit:
To help you prepare your application, we host regular portfolio and video Q&A sessions. Please visit the RCA website to learn more about these events and to register.
Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up to date information on entry requirements for this programme.
Tuition fees
Domestic
International
Scholarships
Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.
To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:
How to get a full scholarship
Looking for a fully-funded scholarship to see you into university? Find out how to boost your chances of getting one.
Scholarships to study abroad
Find scholarships to study abroad with our lists of international scholarships – categorized by country, by subject, and by type of student.
Scholarship Applications: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all your questions about scholarship applications, including tips on how to find scholarships and chances of success.
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