Writing MA

Entry requirements

Applications are encouraged from anyone with a good BA degree in a humanities/arts subject (including studio courses in art and design). We have accepted students with a background in other academic fields in the past. All applicants need to demonstrate a commitment to writing and a strong interest in contemporary art and design practice.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Writing MA provides a unique opportunity to develop high-level writing, research, and analytical skills in one of the world’s most dynamic art schools. 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.

We have a commitment to collaborative group project-based work that integrates theory and practice. We approach the field critically and theoretically, ensuring that the knowledge and understanding of these practices is grounded in the context of public audiences, urbanisation and the digital. Our research-led and practice-led teaching by staff and visiting tutors ensures the curatorial and artistic significance, intellectual value and critical vitality of the programme.

We offer practice-based learning and research-led teaching, through collaborative and project-based work. You’ll undertake a graduate project with external high-profile partners as well as an independent research-based dissertation. You’ll gain an awareness of wider social, political and economic contexts and an understanding of transnational contexts and issues of diversity and inclusion.

What our Students Say

This course at the RCA, I think, is the only one that treats writing as an artistic practice. “The way the course is taught is with open sessions with lots of back and forth between students and tutors which generates a lot of interesting discourse. - Nicholas Popham (UK)

Coming from quite an academic background had me with a set of ideas about what good, airtight writing looked like. Coming here and being exposed to a lot more experimental prose and writing that wasn’t purely academic allowed me to have more flexibility in the writing I was doing. - Hannah Nussbaum (USA)

Open Days

Fees and funding

Visit the RCA website to find out more about scholarships and funding opportunities.