The Royal College of Art (RCA) has released comprehensive guidance on how prospective students can access its scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year, opening multiple funding pathways for talented applicants from diverse academic, financial, and social backgrounds. As one of the world’s leading postgraduate art and design institutions, the RCA continues to place strong emphasis on academic excellence, inclusion, and widening participation, making its scholarship framework a major opportunity for both UK and international applicants planning to study in London from September 2026.
For the upcoming cycle, RCA scholarships are designed to support students through academic merit awards, financial need–based support, and targeted schemes such as the internationally recognized GREAT Scholarships. Together, these funding routes aim to reduce financial barriers while recognizing creative and academic potential across RCA’s postgraduate programmes.
Funding Plan: What RCA Scholarships Offer?
RCA scholarships for 2026/27 are awarded through two main routes: academic merit and financial need or under-represented group support. Rather than a single award model, the RCA operates a flexible funding structure that includes several types of financial support, depending on the scholarship and the applicant’s circumstances.
Available funding options include:
- Full tuition fees plus maintenance, which also provides a contribution towards living costs
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Tuition fee discounts, reducing overall study costs
- Maintenance-only awards, offering support for living expenses
A significant number of scholarships are reserved for students with UK Home fee status, but international scholarships are also available across multiple programmes and nationalities.
In addition, for the 2026/27 academic year, the RCA has confirmed participation in the GREAT Scholarships programme in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign. Two awards are available—one for students from India and one for students from Turkey. Each GREAT Scholarship is valued at £10,000, applied as a tuition fee discount for any eligible one-year taught Master’s programme starting in September 2026.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply for RCA Scholarships?
Eligibility criteria depend on the route through which the scholarship is awarded.
Academic Merit Scholarships
Applicants who apply to an RCA programme in Round 1 or Round 2 are automatically considered for academic merit scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required. Awards are based entirely on the strength of the RCA programme application, including portfolio, statements, and interviews where applicable. Previous academic qualifications outside the RCA application assessment are not considered. Successful candidates are informed of their scholarship status at the same time as receiving their programme offer.
Financial Need and Under-Represented Group Scholarships
These scholarships are intended for applicants who face financial hardship or structural disadvantage in accessing higher education. Applicants must first hold an offer to study at the RCA. Eligibility may be demonstrated through one or more of the following circumstances:
- Receipt of means-tested student finance, scholarships, or hardship funding within the last five years
- Receipt of means-tested government benefits such as Universal Credit or disability-related payments
- Experience of unavoidable financial hardship, including debt, bankruptcy, or economic instability
- Living with a disability or chronic health condition with long-term impact
- Holding refugee, asylum, or humanitarian protection status
- Being care-experienced or estranged from parents or guardians
- Having primary caring responsibilities for dependents
- Returning to study after a career break, parental leave, or significant career change
Applicants who meet one or more eligibility criteria progress to the personal statement stage. Even those who do not meet the listed criteria may submit a short supporting statement explaining why they should still be considered for scholarship opportunities.
RCA-GREAT Scholarships 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The RCA GREAT Scholarships for 2026/27 are open exclusively to applicants who:
- Hold a Round 1 or Round 2 offer for a one-year taught Master’s programme at the RCA
- Are passport holders of India or Turkey
- Are classified as Overseas fee-paying students
Apply: https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/the-rca-announces-great-scholarships-for-202627/
Recipients of the GREAT Scholarships will also act as ambassadors for the RCA and the British Council during and after their studies.
Application Timeline: How and When to Apply?
The RCA scholarship process follows a structured timeline aligned with programme admissions rounds.
Applicants must first apply for their chosen RCA programme in Round 1 or Round 2. Once offers are issued, all eligible offer holders will be invited by email to complete a single RCA scholarship application in Spring 2026. This unified application automatically assesses candidates against all scholarships available for their programme, including academic merit awards, financial need-based scholarships, and the GREAT Scholarships where applicable.
Scholarship applications focus on eligibility checks and personal statements outlining financial circumstances, preparation for study, future goals, and the impact a scholarship would have beyond graduation. Outcomes for financial need and GREAT Scholarships are expected to be communicated from late May 2026.