The Royal College of Art (RCA)
The Royal College of Art (RCA) offers various architecture-related programs, including architectural design, urban design, and environmental architecture, all under the Architecture School. Below is a list of programs commonly applied to by architecture students from China:
- Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2) MA - Duration: 2 years
- Environmental Architecture MA - Duration: 15 months
- Urban Design MA - Duration: 15 months
- Interior Design MA - Duration: 2 years
Program-Specific Requirements
Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2) MA
- Selection Process: Candidates are selected based on their talents, with applications welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination, innovation showcased in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the program and achieve high MA standards overall.
- Requirements:
- You should have a high-quality first degree in Architecture (RIBA Part I) or an equivalent international qualification or higher degree.
- You must have at least one year of work experience in a design office.
- If you wish to gain exemption from RIBA Part II, you must satisfactorily complete RIBA Part I.
Environmental Architecture MA
- Selection Process: Candidates are selected based on their talents, with applications welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination, and innovation showcased in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the program and achieve high MA standards overall.
- Requirements:
- Likely candidates will have a 3+2-year bachelor and master's degree in architecture or an equivalent 5-year master's diploma, preferably in architecture, landscape architecture, landscape urbanism, urban design, or another related design discipline.
- You should seek expertise in large-scale environmental and ecological design projects.
- Candidates with a background in fine arts, social sciences, geography, urban studies, planning, or economics will also be considered if they demonstrate the ability to work with other disciplines and contribute to multidisciplinary teams.
Urban Design MA
- Selection Process: Candidates are selected based on their talents, with applications welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination, and innovation showcased in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the program and achieve high MA standards overall.
- Requirements:
- Likely candidates will have a bachelor and master's degree in architecture or an equivalent 5-year master's diploma, ideally specializing in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or other related design disciplines, seeking expertise in large-scale urban/urban design projects.
- Candidates with a background in social sciences, geography, urban studies, planning, or economics will also be considered if they can demonstrate the ability to work with other disciplines and contribute to multidisciplinary teams.
Interior Design MA
- Selection Process: Candidates are selected based on their talents, with applications welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination, and innovation showcased in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the program and achieve high MA standards overall.
- Requirements:
- Candidates typically have a strong undergraduate degree or other relevant experience.
- Professional experience before or after obtaining the first degree may be helpful.
- Applications are welcome from candidates with other related backgrounds such as architecture, furniture design, product design, and graphic design.
Language Requirements
- If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in the Writing section of the IELTS exam. Students who achieve at least 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in other sections may be eligible to take the college's academic English course to meet the required standard.
- If you have obtained a 2.1 degree or higher from a university in a majority English-speaking country within the past two years, you may be exempt from this requirement.
- If you require a Tier 4 visa to study at RCA, you must also meet the minimum requirements set by the Home Office for entry clearance.
Application Materials
- Online Application Form
- Degree Certificate
- Graduation Certificate / Enrollment Proof
- IELTS (English Proficiency Test)
- Portfolio
- Written Statement
- Short Video
- Recommendation Letters
- Interview