• A good undergraduate degree in history of art or fine art, or other appropriate area of the humanities.

• You will most likely have some relevant practical experience having worked in a paid or unpaid capacity within the visual arts and can demonstrate an existing commitment to curating through having already organised one or more exhibitions.

• You must demonstrate a strong interest in contemporary art.

• The average age of our student cohort is 27. We rarely admit students direct from undergraduate study. Our student body is particularly international. We particularly welcome applications from students from minority backgrounds.

• We run a number of open day events designed to introduce prospective students to the department.

fees and financial help

Full details of tuition fees for UK, EU and overseas students are listed in the Royal College of Art prospectus, and also available from the College Registry (contact details below). The College administers a Bursary Scheme for eligible students from England and Wales and from other European Union countries, with funds provided by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). Funds are however limited and cannot support all eligible candidates.

how to apply

You must supply a full CV with details of relevant work experience.

You are required to submit a brief (1500 word) critical appraisal of a recent exhibition of contemporary art. While there is no fixed model, students’ reading of art criticism and critical theory and criticism, together with their own personal views, should be reflected in their writing. Journals such as Artforum and Texte zur Kunst provide indicative models. This is required to provide evidence of your knowledge of and critical engagement with post-war and contemporary art and so to assist with shortlisting for interview.

You should answer carefully the questions in the examination form concerning your aptitude for a study of curating and your choice of institution, to give the interview board a sense of your commitment and engagement.

Portfolios are not required.

The application form and general prospectus are available from:
Assistant Registrar, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU
Tel: 020–7590 4444, Fax: 020–7590 4500
Email: admissions@rca.ac.uk

MPhil students:
You are encouraged to discuss your application in advance with the Head of Research. A brief outline, setting out your research question and motivation for the research together with an indicative bibliography, will be most useful. Please refer to the MPhil/PhD pages.

open day

The MA course in Curating Contemporary Art is holding two open days in 2007, on Wednesday 27 November and Wednesday 5 December, from 2-5.30pm. They will be held in the CCA Department, in the Stevens Building on Jay Mews, off Kensington Gore (Map). There is no need to confirm your place.

There will be an introduction by Course staff, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and to meet current students.