Royal College of Art - In Depth

Founded: 1837; Royal Charter in 1967.

Site: Opposite Hyde Park, beside the Albert Hall; Sculpture School in Howie Street, Battersea.

How to get there: Underground (to Knightsbridge, South Kensington); buses for both sites.

Academic features: International reputation for workin areas from painting and sculpture to industrial design engineering, vehicle design and goldsmithing to communication art & design (illustration and graphics). Project or thesis work, following individual student proposals, forms an essential part of MPhil degree work. PhD work may be carried out in any discipline provided resources exist; minimum period of study is 2 full-time equivalent years.

Awarding body: Royal College of Art.

Main awards: MA, MPhil, PhD. Length of courses: 2+ years.

Library & information services: Integrated library, computing and audio-visual services. 72.000 books, 120 periodicals. Ratio workstations to students of 1:4 (access 13 hours/day); some 250 with access to library, 150 to internet. Central and course-based technicians give support; induction tour of library and information services for new students; range of IT courses, from introductory to advanced.

Other learning facilities: 4 major galleries, seminar rooms, 2 lecture theatres. Study abroad: College encourages student exchanges.

Accommodation: No college accommodation.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £11.500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by College.

Term-time work: College allows term-time work with permission of Head of Department. Some available in College: cloakroom and selling catalogues at degree shows; bar work; help with mailings etc.

Financial help: Application for state bursaries (not automatic) from English, Welsh and Northern Irish candidates through RCA. Scottish candidates apply to the regional authority. Some RCA money also available.