Jewellery & Metal MA 12 months Postgraduate Programme By Royal College of Art |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 1QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

39,750 GBPTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

19 Jan, 2026Application Deadline

Programme overview

Main Subject

Art and Design

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Description: 


The MA Jewellery & Metal at the RCA develops your creative jewellery and metal practice through a material and research led process. You explore the intersections of social, technological, art and science, nurturing your creative identity in a space that merges art and design, the material and immaterial, and the digital and analogue. This programme challenges you to question conventions, interrogate the role of objects and adornment, and develop a personal, self directed practice rooted in critical reflection. You will gain access to both traditional and digital making techniques and cultivate new methodologies that combine technical rigour with conceptual inquiry. 


Programme structure: 


Term 1 


In term 1, you take Interrogating Your Practice and Deconstructing Assumptions, which focuses on developing analytical tools to critique and rethink your existing practice and methods. The unit encourages the development of personal, investigative research methods, contextualising your work within new critical and material conversations. 


Term 2 


In term 2, you take Developing Methodologies, where you explore and experiment with material-led techniques and processes to shape your research direction. You also define your professional context, understanding how your practice could operate within the fields of art and design. 

Also in Term 2, you take Urgency of the Arts school-wide unit that explores how arts and humanities practice can respond to urgent sociopolitical issues through workshops and specialist-led discussions.  


Term 3 


In term 3, you take Independent Research Project, synthesising your research, making, and thinking into a coherent body of work for public presentation.  


AcrossRCA (Terms 1 & 2) 


During the first two terms, you participate in the AcrossRCA college-wide unit, collaborating with students from other programmes on a self-initiated themed project that addresses cultural, social, environmental or economic issues. 


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

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Description: 


The MA Jewellery & Metal at the RCA develops your creative jewellery and metal practice through a material and research led process. You explore the intersections of social, technological, art and science, nurturing your creative identity in a space that merges art and design, the material and immaterial, and the digital and analogue. This programme challenges you to question conventions, interrogate the role of objects and adornment, and develop a personal, self directed practice rooted in critical reflection. You will gain access to both traditional and digital making techniques and cultivate new methodologies that combine technical rigour with conceptual inquiry. 


Programme structure: 


Term 1 


In term 1, you take Interrogating Your Practice and Deconstructing Assumptions, which focuses on developing analytical tools to critique and rethink your existing practice and methods. The unit encourages the development of personal, investigative research methods, contextualising your work within new critical and material conversations. 


Term 2 


In term 2, you take Developing Methodologies, where you explore and experiment with material-led techniques and processes to shape your research direction. You also define your professional context, understanding how your practice could operate within the fields of art and design. 

Also in Term 2, you take Urgency of the Arts school-wide unit that explores how arts and humanities practice can respond to urgent sociopolitical issues through workshops and specialist-led discussions.  


Term 3 


In term 3, you take Independent Research Project, synthesising your research, making, and thinking into a coherent body of work for public presentation.  


AcrossRCA (Terms 1 & 2) 


During the first two terms, you participate in the AcrossRCA college-wide unit, collaborating with students from other programmes on a self-initiated themed project that addresses cultural, social, environmental or economic issues. 


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
1 Year
Sep

Tuition fees

Domestic
17,000 GBP
International
39,750 GBP

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