Architecture and spatial design postgraduate programmes

Royal College of Art postgraduates programmes provide you with unparalleled opportunities to advance your practice and research.

Located in London, the School of Architecture offers a stimulating and vibrant cultural context for study in the world’s number one student city.* Realise live projects and work alongside leading designers and artists in a postgraduate-only environment.

Outside of the School, the RCA also offers related programmes for those looking to develop their expertise in spatial design, urbanism,  transport and automotive design, and research.

Featured programmes
Design Practice MArch
One-year (45 weeks) full-time / two-years (90 weeks) part-time

This programme supports architects, designers, and spatial practitioners’ creative and critical engagement with the design of the built environment. With climate as a central focus, you’ll consider how reuse, materials, waste, and embodied carbon intersect with economics, politics, and identity — resulting in new opportunities for your design practice in the just transition toward a fair and flourishing world.

City Design MA
One-year (45 weeks) full-time / two-years (90 weeks) part-time

New forms of urban development and technologically driven forms of social innovation are transforming how we live, work, reproduce and care for the world around us, producing new lines of social solidarity and new sites of social conflict. You’ll envision new city and urban life concepts by placing design speculation at the core of social innovation. Guided by design principles, the curriculum connects you with NGOs, policymakers, and industry leaders, offering an immersive learning experience.

Environmental Architecture MA
One-year (45 weeks) full-time / two-years (90 weeks) part-time

Forge a new field of knowledge production and practice, designing alternative forms of co-dependence between life forms and earth systems. At the same time, you’ll gain insight from global environmental leaders, histories and theories of environmental change, explore change history, and delve into environmental law and climate justice.

Whatever stage you are at in your career, we have a range of postgraduate programmes across the RCA led by renowned academics and practitioners, including: 

Architecture MA, two-years, full-time.
Architecture MPhil/PhD, three to seven years, full- and part-time.
Interior Design MA, one-year, full-time.
Intelligent Mobility MA, one-year, full-time.
Master of Research MRes (Architecture Specialism) one-year, full-time.
Graduate Diploma Art & Design (Design Specialism) 30-weeks, full-time.

Online open days: December 4–8, 2023. Book now.

Experience what it’s really like to be a student at the RCA by attending one of our online open days. These include Q&A sessions and introductions with our academics, providing information on our programmes of study, student life, and where the RCA could take you.

*QS Best Student Cities in the World for Studying Abroad 2024.