Ceramics and Glass MA

Entry requirements

Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process will consider creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high MA standards overall.

You should have a good undergraduate degree in Ceramics or Glass or equivalent professional experience. Applications are welcomed from candidates from related backgrounds, for example, textiles, sculpture, architecture and industrial design. Work experience, either before or after a first degree, is a great advantage.

Visit the RCA website for application dates, details and full entry requirements.

Our Graduate Diploma Art & Design (pre-master's conversion) course can provide a means to progress to this programme on completion.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Study at the World's number one ranked art and design university for eight consecutive years (2015-2022) in the QS World University Subject Rankings. The spirit of Ceramics & Glass at the RCA springs from a belief in the transformative power of material thinking, research and making to enrich our world in imaginative and meaningful ways. We embrace the diversity of contemporary practice in this hyper-material age.

The programme provides a creative interface where personal concerns and global perspectives intersect – questioning, examining and responding to social, cultural and material challenges. The areas of research of both staff and students are diverse, arise from the broad scope of the two disciplines, and inform what is taught on the programme. Advances in technology are explored, while traditional methodologies are challenged to create new and unique approaches.

The spectrum of enquiry in Ceramics & Glass is driven by live and studio projects – archive and collections are explored in order to understand, question and reinterpret how histories and traditions of our disciplines inform contemporary culture – our relationship with site, communities and the built environment provide a framework for developing proposals – specialist tutor led group work brings a focus to areas such as metaphorical and phenomenological meaning within materiality – while design led ideas are explored through object use, and the systems of production that they emerge from.

Drawing on our diverse network of contacts within the subject specialisms, lectures, artist talks and professional practice seminars from industry leaders, are combined with field trips and practical skill sessions to support independent learning. A strong studio culture is nurtured within dedicated facilities that offer opportunities for collaborative and cross disciplinary approaches – all aimed at developing the next generation of leading Ceramics & Glass graduates.

What our Students Say

“I was and still am certain Royal College of Art is the best way to grow artistically and professionally. It is hard to choose a best moment from my RCA experience. I’m still surprised of how much I learned and how many amazing people I have met. I am really appreciative of tutors and technicians, they truly cared about students getting the best possible help from the college and their facilities.” - Kaja Upelj (2018)

"Studying at the RCA is more than studying, it's almost like living it. I've been exposed to so many new techniques and machines I've never used before. My practice was quite traditional, so having this shift to the modern here at the RCA has been really impactful." - Nico Conti (2019).

Open Days

Join an RCA online or on-campus open day to find out more about this programme - RCA Open Days.

Fees and funding

Visit the RCA website to find out more about scholarships and funding opportunities. Scholarship options for this programme include:

Supporting MA Ceramics & Glass students from the UK experiencing financial hardship

Eligible fee status: UK fee status

Value: Full tuition fee scholarship valued at £15,000

Supporting MA Ceramics & Glass students from the UK experiencing financial hardship

Eligible fee status:

• UK fee status only
• Demonstrable financial need

Value: Full tuition fee scholarships valued at £15,000

Supporting MA Ceramics & Glass students from the UK

Eligible fee status: UK fee status

Value: Two tuition fee bursaries of £3,000 each

Supporting students in any MA programme from the UK (Preferably Scottish nationals), experiencing financial hardship

Eligible fee status: UK fee status

Value: £10,000

A Scholarship supporting UK Ceramics & Glass students with financial hardship.

Eligible fee status:

• UK fee status only
• Financial need

Value: Six scholarships (three ceramics, three glass) valued at £35,000 each

Supporting one MA Ceramics & Glass student from the UK, experiencing financial hardship

Eligible fee status:

• UK fee status
• Enrolled full time
• Demonstrating financial need

Value: One tuition fee bursary of £10,000

The Scholarship supports 21 UK MA, MRes and PhD students every year from across all RCA MA, MRes and PhD disciplines.

Eligible fee status: UK fee status

Value: £21,000

Applicants must make an application via the application portal on the Snowdon Trust website from Jan 2023: https://www.snowdontrust.org/scholarships

Funding Categories: Financial hardship, Students with a diagnosed physical or sensory disability

Eligible fee status: Any

Value: Up to £15,000 in tuition fees + £15,000 maintenance support

Eligible fee status: Any

Value: Two tuition fee bursaries of £2,000 each