Course summary
The MDes Design Futures at the RCA equips you with research, strategic and entrepreneurial design skills to address complex social and environmental challenges through futures thinking. You immerse yourself in core units on research methodologies, complex systems and envisioning futures before developing your own independent research project grounded in ethical and resilient interventions. Alongside a wide range of electives including design resilience, ethics and innovation, you learn to visualise alternative futures, engage people in debate, and shape purposeful change through design practice and foresight. Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information about the programme, its structure, modules and any updates or changes. About RCA: The Royal College of Art is the world’s leading postgraduate art and design university, providing students with unrivalled opportunities to develop their practice, build their networks, enhance their career and to deliver art and design projects that transform the world. For 11 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2025) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.
Modules
Term 1 In Term 1, you take Research Methodologies, which provides a toolkit of methods to tackle diverse and challenging future-focused issues. You also take Complex Systems, which introduces concepts such as leverage points, wicked problems, causal loops, and systems thinking. During this term you'll also choose one school-wide elective and one college-wide elective, enabling you to engage with cross disciplinary approaches from across the RCA. Term 2 In Term 2, you take Envisioning Futures, combining futures methodologies with advanced digital and analogue design techniques to explore speculative, multi scenario futures. You also work on your Independent Research Project: Proposal, developing your research question and planning your future project. During this term you'll also choose one school-wide elective and one college-wide elective, enabling you to engage with cross disciplinary approaches from across the RCA. Term 3 In Term 3, you take Independent Research Project: Realisation, where you deliver a body of work that explores your chosen future scenario or design question, supported through tutorials, seminars, and critique.
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and from all over the world. RCA alumni come from a wide range of backgrounds and industries, bringing diverse experiences including those unrelated to art, which enrich the creative community and drive fresh perspectives. As part of your application, you may need to submit: • A portfolio showcasing your work and artistic vision. • A personal statement (around 300 words) describing your interests, motivations, and future goals. • An introduction video (maximum 2 minutes) to introduce yourself and explain your artistic approach and project ideas. To help you prepare your application, we host regular portfolio and video Q&A sessions. Please visit the RCA website to learn more about these events and to register. Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up to date information on entry requirements for this programme.
English language requirements
Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information on English language requirements.
You can also find further details on English language requirements, approved English language tests, equivalent IELTS scores, exempt criteria, and more via the link below.
https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-to-study/english-language-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information on tuition fees, deposits, and additional costs for both home and overseas/ EU students.
Sponsorship information
RCA offers a wide range of funding opportunities to support postgraduate study, including a variety of tuition fee and living cost scholarships. Beyond financial support, many of these scholarships also provide networking opportunities with peers, partnership organisations and professional bodies to enhance your experience. You can find more information about available scholarships and their eligibility criteria here: https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-to-study/funding-your-studies/rca-scholarships-and-awards/
Provider information
Royal College of Art
Kensington Gore
Kensington and Chelsea
SW7 2EU