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 17 early career artists each year. We charge no fees.

On this studio-based 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, contributions to the cost of some materials, alongside a student support fund. This support does not fully cover the cost of living and studying in London, and most students work part time including those who take on paid work within the RA.

Applications for October 2023 entry are now closed.

A taste of life at the RA Schools

The RA Schools provides a shared space for exchange and discussion in the development of the student’s practice across contemporary fine art media. Our school is equipped with specialist facilities for students working in 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 space, whatever the nature of their practice.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Lectures

A lecture or artist talk takes place weekly.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Exhibitions

Students exhibit their work at the RA in their second year at Premiums, and at the end of the programme at the RA Schools Show.

Photo by Cat Garcia

Teaching

Our high tutor-to-student ratio ensures that each artist’s individual practice is subject to in-depth discussion.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Tutors

Tutorials, group critique, reading group 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 experienced tutors.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

Community

Students join an established community of students, artists and art professionals including visiting artists, lecturers and Royal Academicians.

Photo: Catherine Garcia

- 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.
  
  The ideal candidate will have an established, contemporary studio-practice, and will have taken part in exhibitions and other projects. Teaching experience and an MFA or similar is desirable. The artist will have access to a private studio at the RA Schools to further their practice. The postgraduate programme of academic lectures and talks, technical facilities and expertise are all available to the Starr Fellow including the RA’s extensive Collection, Library and Archive. The Fellow presents their work towards the end of the Fellowship in the form of a public exhibition in the Weston Studio at the Royal Academy.
  
  There are opportunities for the Starr Fellow to extend their teaching experience, contributing to the RA Schools programme which supports a cohort of postgraduate students. The Starr Fellow delivers an artist’s talk at the beginning of the year and in addition they contribute to the critique of work of first year students through attendance at group crits.
  
  Applications for the October 2023 - July 2024 Starr Fellowship are now closed.
  
  For more information about the Royal Academy Schools and our facilities please see our Prospectus.

- 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 to living artists: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Michael Armitage, 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

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