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Download an Application Form (90 KB)
Download Image Requirements (41 KB)
Download a Reference Form (25 KB)
Download an Application Form (45 KB)
Download Image Requirements (17 KB)
Download a Reference Form (10 KB)
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 active contributions to all aspects of the programme.
Candidates 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 after graduation.
International Applicants
The visa requirements issued by the United Kingdom Border Agency do not currently allow students from outside the European Union to study at the Schools. Before making an application, it is vital that applicants check their eligibility regarding their visa status, and to take professional advice, if necessary.
Application forms are available as both a Word document and PDF to download above.
A fee of £35.00 is payable and candidates should preferably pay the processing fee for their application online.
Cheques drawn from a UK-based bank account are also acceptable. Please make cheque for £35.00 sterling payable to ‘Royal Academy of Arts’.
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
020 7300 5650. You will be required to leave a message with your name and postal address, along with a contact telephone number.
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 word-processed statement in support of their work of no more than 500 words. 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 £35.00 is payable to cover the administration of your application (see above). You will be sent a Payment Reference number that should be copied onto the application form.
• Applicants working in 2D and 3D media should preferably supply a maximum of 16 digital images on CD-ROM in JPEG format. The work provided should be completed recently. Please indicate the completion date of each work in the list of works included in the application form.
• All images provided should be in RGB mode and their dimensions should not exceed 768 pixels high and 1024 pixels wide (i.e. the files should each be between 100KB and 1MB in size).
• It is essential that the JPEG images are formatted so that they can be viewed on a Mac. Please test-run your disc on another computer to ensure that your files have been saved correctly.
• Digital formats other than JPEG will not be accepted (please do not use PowerPoint presentations, Tiffs, PSDs etc.)
• Though they can be useful, is advisable to keep details or close-ups of work to a minimum.
• Applicants whose work encompasses more than one medium must use their own judgement to decide which format is most suitable to represent their work. In some cases, applicants may have to provide two discs – one of JPEG images, and a DVD video disk of moving image work.
• All CD-ROMs and their cases must be clearly labelled with the applicant’s name and applicant number. Please note that CD-ROMs will not be returned after the application.
• Applicants working in time-based media should provide a DVD video disk in PAL SD only. PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to view video in any other format (no VHS tapes or QuickTime or AVI files on CD-ROM). Applicants working in time-based media may submit a maximum of three works. If each work is longer than 5 minutes, it is recommended that shorter ‘show-reel’ extracts are sent. The applicant’s name should be clearly labelled on both the DVD and its case.
• A list of the works sent as part of the application must be supplied. This should include the title, medium, size/duration and date of each work. Applicants should ensure that the list corresponds with the numerical order or titles supplied on the particular format chosen to submit their work.
• The Royal Academy Schools guarantees that all correctly completed applications are given careful consideration, and that all images and films are viewed with a projector.
• Please test-run any CD-ROM or DVD prior to sending with the application form. Corrupt or locked discs will render the application invalid.
• The Royal Academy Schools will not return any part of your application, so please do not include any thing that is of value.
• Under no circumstances should candidates supply original artwork or a portfolio of work to accompany their application.
• Under no circumstances should candidates include certificates or any original documents. Successful applications that lead to the offer of a place at the Schools will be asked to provide such documentation at a later date. The Schools does not accept responsibility for any original document or any other item sent as part of the application process.
• Please note that the Schools will not proceed with processing an application unless the fee of £35.00 has been paid. This payment should be made online.
• Completed application forms should be sent between 3 December 2012 and 7 January 2013 to:
The Schools Administrator (Admissions)
Royal Academy Schools
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London
W1J OBD
The closing date for applications is Friday, 7 January 2013. Applications received after this date will not be processed. The Schools is unable to provide confirmation of receipt of application forms. To achieve such a receipt, applicants who want delivery confirmation of their application should use an appropriate postal service that includes a tracking number.
• Please note that the Royal Academy Schools is unable to answer telephone or email inquiries to confirm receipt of applications.
• Applications from outside of the United Kingdom should send their application via a reputable courier, with tracking and guaranteed delivery.
It is advisable to allow extra time prior to the deadline to allow for correct receipt of international applications.
• Applicants selected to attend an interview will be notified by post.
• Interview appointments should be confirmed by telephone, using the number provided in the letter offering the interview. Please note that it is not possible to offer alternative times and dates other than those outlined in the letter offering an interview.
• Applicants who are subsequently offered a place at the Schools will be notified by post.
• The decision made by the interview panel is final. The Royal Academy Schools is unable to enter into any correspondence, including telephone and email inquiries, regarding the outcome of any application or decision appertaining to it.
• The Schools promotes equality of opportunity in all its activities and aims to provide a working environment free from discrimination.
Applicants short-listed for interview will be informed of their interview date after 28 January 2013. 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 2013.
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.
Important Information
Please note that the Royal Academy Schools is unable to answer telephone or email enquiries to confirm receipt of applications.
Applications from outside of the United Kingdom should send their application via a reputable courier, with tracking and guaranteed delivery. It is advisable to allow extra time prior to the deadline to allow for correct receipt of international applications.
Applicants selected to attend an interview will be notified by post.
Interview appointments should be confirmed by telephone, using the number provided in the letter offering the interview. Please note that it is not possible to offer alternative times and dates other than those outlined in the letter offering an interview.
Applicants who are subsequently offered a place at the Schools will be notified by post.
The decision made by the interview panel is final. The Royal Academy Schools is unable to enter into any correspondence, including telephone and email inquiries, regarding the outcome of any application or decision appertaining to it.
The Schools promotes equality of opportunity in all its activities and aims to provide a working environment free from discrimination.
The Closing date for applications is Friday, 7 January 2013. Applications received after this date will not be processed. The Schools is unable to provide confirmation of receipt of application forms. To achieve such a receipt, applicants who want delivery confirmation of their application should use an appropriate postal service that includes a tracking number.
