Application and interviews

How to Apply

Entrance Requirements

Selection of candidates is based upon evidence of individual ability and commitment, with an emphasis on the potential for further development across the three-year tenure of the course. Students are expected to be
self-motivated, resourceful and willing to make an active contribution to all aspects of the programme.

Applicants must have gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art prior to admission to the Schools or have equivalent experience. If a candidate is still enrolled on their undergraduate course at the time of their
application, their academic referee should indicate their predicted graduation status as part of their supporting reference.

Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who have undertaken a year or more of independent studio practice outside of their undergraduate institution. We would advise in most cases a minimum of a year out though we recognise that for international and mature candidates this may not be practical or necessary.

Due to changes in UK Immigration Law, international applicants should note that at the time of publication, the RA Schools is unable to accept international candidates who do not have independent residency status in the UK. The RA Schools is in the process of addressing the new requirements issued by the United Kingdom Borders Agency (UKBA) However, it is not possible to guarantee that the necessary authorisation from UKBA to accept international candidates will be granted in time for the application process leading to entry in October 2012. International candidates should be aware that the Royal Academy Schools may be unable to offer places to those who reside outside of the E.U, or do not have appropriate Visa status to study in the UK If an application is found to be ineligible, the Royal Academy Schools will refund the application fee, where appropriate.

Application Forms

Application forms are available as both a Word document and PDF format (see top of page).

To obtain an application form by post, please email schools@royalacademy.org.uk Please mark the subject heading of your email as 'APPLICATION REQUEST'. Please provide your full address including the correct postal code in the email text.

If you do not have email access, you may request an application form by calling 0207 300 5857. You will be required to leave a message with your name and postal address, along with a contact telephone number.

Completion of Application Forms

Please read the following information carefully to ensure that your application is correctly submitted.

• Applications should be word-processed or completed clearly using black ink.
• Applicants are required to provide a wordprocessed statement in support of their work. As a guide, 500 words should be sufficient. Please note that hand-written statements are not advised. Word-processed elements
should use a clearly legible 12pt font size.
• A confidential reference is also required as part of the application. References are usually supplied by the teaching staff/personal tutor from the applicant’s former undergraduate degree college or a professional artist/tutor.
• Please ensure that requests for references are made well in advance of the closing date for applications. The reference can be sent in a sealed envelope together with the completed application form, or may be sent
separately by the referee.
• Please note that a processing fee of £30 is payable to cover the administration of your application. Preferably, this payment should be made online. You will be sent a Payment Reference number that should be copied onto the application form. Cheques drawn from a UK-based bank account are also acceptable. Please make cheque for £30 sterling payable to ‘Royal Academy of Arts’.

Pay the processing fee online here

Completed application forms should be sent between 1 December 2011 and 6 January 2012 to:
The Schools Administrator (Admissions)
Royal Academy Schools
Burlington House, Piccadilly
London, W1J OBD

Interviews

Applicants short listed for interview will be informed of their interview date after 31 January 2012. Please note that the administration process and allocation of interviews is extremely complex. It is not possible to arrange alternative times and dates to applicants different to those outlined in the letter offering an interview.

Interviews will be conducted between February and March 2012.

Shortlisted candidates are required to bring a selection of their work to the interview. The work should clearly indicate the nature of the candidate’s practice. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, models, drawings are all appropriate.

Candidates using time-based media will have the opportunity to present their work on a data projector.

Candidates may also bring any supporting material such as notes, sketchbooks etc. Please note that the interview is an opportunity for the academic staff to find out more about you and your work through discussion. The interview is not an appropriate occasion for presentations or an artist’s talk.

There is no restriction on the size or number of works and associated materials that may be brought to the interview. However, candidates should take into account that the set-up time between interviews is restricted to only 10 minutes. Each interview will last approximately 30 minutes. Candidates must take all work and supporting material away with them after the interview. There is no facility to store work prior or subsequent to interview.