The Royal College of Art (RCA) is dedicated to celebrating diversity, eliminating discrimination, and promoting equality of opportunity. RCA scholarship programme is expanding, with over 400 financial awards available for the 2024/25 academic year. These awards support students with financial needs and those from underrepresented groups, including students with disabilities and those with refugee or asylum seeker status.
What does the RCA scholarship offer?
RCA scholarships provide various forms of financial support, including:
- Full fee payment plus living costs
- Full fee payment
- Partial fee payment
- Contributions to living costs
While most scholarships are for UK (Home) students, international scholarships are also available.
Eligibility Criteria
RCA scholarships are available through two primary routes:
- Academic Merit: Scholarships are automatically assessed during Round 1 and 2 programme applications for MA, MFA, MDes, MRes, MArch, and MEd. High-scoring students are notified of their awards alongside their RCA offer.
- Financial Need or Underrepresented Group Status: This includes students from underrepresented groups in higher education or those experiencing financial hardship. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as:
- Means-tested student funding or scholarship support
- Means-tested government benefits
- Unavoidable financial hardship
- Disability or chronic health conditions
- Refugee or asylum status
- Care experience
- Primary caring responsibilities
- Career change or return to work after a break
Applicants meeting these criteria are matched to appropriate scholarships.
Application Process
Round 1 and 2 Applicants:
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- Priority Eligibility Questions: Applicants are asked about their financial background, disabilities, caring responsibilities, and other factors indicating financial need or disadvantage.
- Personal Statement Questions: Applicants must provide short statements (150 words each) on their background, financial planning, the benefits of the scholarship, and future career goals.
Round 3 Applicants:
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- Limited scholarships may still be available, mostly for specific programmes or personal circumstances, primarily for UK students. Updated information will be provided from June 2024.
Graduate Diploma and PhD Applicants:
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- Information about scholarships for Graduate Diploma programmes starting in September 2024 will be provided soon.
- PhD applicants should contact [email protected] for details on Doctoral Training Grants and other funding options.
Application Deadline
Most of these RCA scholarships (https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/application-process/funding-your-studies/rca-scholarships-and-awards/) will be available for applications in June 2024.