Course summary
This unique interdisciplinary programme draws on the complementary expertise from the RCA's School of Design and Helen Hamlyn Design Centre, and the healthcare expertise from Imperial College London’s medical faculty and the Helix Centre based at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington London. This part-time MRes produces graduates with the design, creative, leadership, business and behavioural economics expertise to develop significant strategic product and service led innovations to improve healthcare and wellbeing. Student on this programme come from backgrounds across the healthcare and design sectors but also a variety of other industries and roles (business, consultancy, media, communications, science, engineering, public sector) On his programme you'll develop an awareness of the role and value of design in solving healthcare challenges, as well as a multi-professional perspective on problem-solving and the importance of clinical/design collaboration. The programme uses a range of research techniques, tools and frameworks in the fields of design and innovation, and offers an environment in which to develop design-led skills to rapidly research, synthesise and prototype a solution to a healthcare challenge. About the RCA The Royal College of Art, is an internationally renowned art and design university, providing students with unrivalled opportunities to deliver art and design projects that transform the world. A small, specialist and research-intensive postgraduate university based in the heart of London, the RCA is a high performing institution, a radical traditionalist in a fast paced world. The RCA's approach is founded on the premise that art, design creative thinking, science, engineering and technology must all collaborate to solve today's global challenges. In 2021 the RCA was named the world’s leading art and design university for the seventh consecutive year in the QS World University subject rankings.
Modules
Teaching takes place in each module during one-week intensive sessions and includes interactive lectures, seminars, tutorials, case-based discussion, technology demonstrations and practical team-based workshop projects. You will have the opportunity to participate in a range of formative and summative individual and group-based activities. You will embark on four taught modules per year: YEAR ONE 1. Design Led Innovation in Healthcare 2. Principals of Design and Innovation 3. Health Research Toolkit 4. Helix Design Dash YEAR TWO 5: Innovation 6: Designing for behaviour change 7: Health Business Toolkit 8: Leadership Each module concludes with an assessable presentation and a piece of coursework.
Assessment method
You will conduct a major personal design research project throughout the two years of study. The personal research project supervision is led by the RCA with support from expertise at Imperial College. You can undertake the research project in your workplace (with support from employers) or select a self-directed project theme under guidance from our staff. The major research project is assessed via a viva with design projects and a thesis.
Entry requirements
Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process will consider creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high MRes standards overall. MRes Healthcare & Design is run jointly with Imperial College London, and consequently you need to have a degree at 2:1 level or higher (or the equivalent). In exceptional circumstances, applicants without this degree qualification will be considered (for example, applicants with excellent professional experience or outstanding creative or technical abilities) following completion of a ‘Special Qualifying Exam’ (SQE). Please check the Imperial College London website to ensure you meet their requirements.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need the equivalent of an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with a 6.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE). |
Students achieving a grade of at least 6.0, with a grade of 5.5 in the Test of Written English, may be eligible to take the College’s English for Academic Purposes course to enable them to reach the required standard. You are exempt from this requirement if you have received a 2.1 degree or above from a university in a majority English-speaking nation within the last two years. If you need a Tier 4 visa to study at the RCA, you will also need to meet the Home Office’s minimum requirements for entry clearance.
More information about English language requirements
https://www.rca.ac.uk/studying-at-the-rca/apply/entrance-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £23350 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9850 | Year 1 |
| England | £9850 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9850 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9850 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9850 | Year 1 |
| International | £23350 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Visit the programme page on the RCA website for details of fees for each year of this programme.
Provider information
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore
Kensington and Chelsea
SW7 2EU