Royal Academy Schools - In Depth

Founded: 1768.

Site: In Burlington House, Piccadilly.

How to get there: Green Park and Piccadilly underground stations; various buses.

Academic features: All courses are postgraduate, with critiques, reviews, dissertations and annual exhibitions; most of the teaching done by visiting tutors.

Awarding body: Royal Academy Schools.

Main award: Postgraduate diploma.

Length of courses: 3 years.

Application: Direct; application forms available late November, fee £25.

Library & information services: 15.000 volumes, various periodicals.

Specialist collections: Old master drawings/prints.

Amenities: Shop, canteen. Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £8000 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by Schools.

Funding and fees: All fees are currently covered by the Royal Academy (though this cannot be guaranteed for future years). Some maintenance grants and bursaries available for students in need.