Royal Academy Schools

The RA Schools has been a key part of the Royal Academy since its foundation in 1769. We offer a full-time, three-year programme to 10–17 postgraduate students each year. We charge no fees.

On this studio-based academic programme, critical discussion is developed through lectures, group critiques, tutorials and artist talks. Given the high student-to-tutor ratio, each student’s art practice is subject to in-depth and sustained discussion.

This programme is free and we offer financial support through bursaries and contributions to the cost of some materials. This support does not fully cover the cost of living and studying in London, and most students work part-time outside of the hours that the programme is in operation.

Applications closed on 3 December 2023.

A taste of life at the RA Schools

The RA Schools provides a shared space for exchange and discussion in the development of each student’s practice across contemporary fine art media. Our school is equipped with specialist facilities for a wide variety of processes, including casting, ceramics, woodwork, 2D and 3D printmaking, photography, and time based media.

Studios

All of our students are allocated an individual studio in a shared open plan space, whatever the nature of their practice.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Lectures

A lecture or artist talk takes place weekly.

Exhibitions

Students exhibit their work at the RA in their second year at Premiums Interim Projects, and at the RA Schools Show in their final year.

Teaching

Our high tutor-to-student ratio ensures that each artist’s individual practice is subject to in-depth discussion. Tutorials and group critiques support the development of students’ self-directed work in the studios, there is a reading group led by our Critical Fellow and text tutorials are given by our senior lecturers and invited artists and thinkers.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Tutors

Tutorials, group critiques, reading groups and texts are given by our senior lecturers and invited artists and thinkers.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Funding

The course is free, and we offer financial support through bursaries and contributions to the cost of some materials.

photo: Catherine Garcia

Specialist facilities

The RA Schools is equipped with specialist workshop facilities staffed by expert tutors.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Community

The community is important to us - new students join a vibrant community of students, faculty and staff, visiting artists, lecturers and Royal Academicians.

- The Starr Fellowship
  
  A fellowship at the RA Schools for a US artist
  
  Applications are open for The Starr Fellowship, a year-long residency for a visual artist who is a U.S. national, at the Royal Academy Schools.
  
  The Fellowship provides a bursary of £26,000 and a studio in the school to support the development of the Starr Fellow’s practice.
  
  The Starr Fellow will also gain teaching experience by contributing to the RA Schools programme. They have access to the RA Schools’ resources, including lectures and talks, technical facilities and expertise, and the RA’s extensive Collection, Library and Archive. At the end of the Fellowship, the artist is invited to exhibit their work.
  
  The ideal Starr Fellow will:
  
  • Be a US national currently based outside of the United Kingdom.
  
  • Have an established practice in the United States, and will have taken part in exhibitions or other projects.
  
  • Have teaching experience and an MFA or similar (desirable), or want to extend their teaching experience
  
  For more information about the Royal Academy Schools and our facilities please see our Prospectus.
  
  Apply by 3 December 2023

- Graduates of the RA Schools
  
  Our graduates have contributed to art and culture in the UK and internationally through art practice, education, research, curatorial practice and collaboration. Stretching back to 1769, our graduates include William Blake and JMW Turner RA to living artists: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Michael Armitage RA, Eddie Peake, Prem Sahib, Rebecca Ackroyd and Ayo Akingbade who exemplify the range of recent graduates.
  
  If you are a graduate or you want to learn more about our graduates, see our graduates page.
  
  Find out more about our graduates

Supported by Claridge's

Supported by Tileyard London

RA Schools Show sponsored by

Supported by the Batia and Idan Ofer Family Foundation