Design Practice MArch

The MArch Design Practice is a transformative one-year programme for architects, designers, spatial and creative practitioners at any career stage – whether you’re looking to reimagine an established practice, emerging from undergraduate study, or transitioning from other creative, activist or policy-engaged fields. Leading planetary action Planetary crisis demands new design thinking. This programme positions students at the intersection of urgent planetary challenges and unprecedented opportunity. You’ll study material processes and innovation, strategies of specification and reuse, embodied carbon and emerging technologies – from critically engaging AI and carbon accounting methods, developing interdisciplinary design strategies and methods of representation, to bio-based materials, and more. You’ll explore how these sites of opportunity intersect with economics, politics, and identity to reshape design practice. We examine how renewable energy systems, green technologies, and social movements are transforming the built environment. Through critical engagement with construction's planetary impact, you'll develop bold, rigorous design propositions for more equitable futures, for people and planet.

The programme is aimed both at postgraduate students and mid-career professionals, and offers a balance between core knowledge, elective and collaborative work and a self-defined research project – enabling you to choose your own areas of interest, while developing the skills to implement your ideas.Candidates are selected entirely on merit, and applications are welcomed from all over the world, as well as from mid-career designers and career changers. The selection criteria considers creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio or equivalent professional experience, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve the MArch standard overall.The programme welcomes architects, designers and spatial practitioners from a range of backgrounds, including those from other design disciplines such as sound, moving image or performance, with an interest in the built environment. Applicants from other backgrounds are also welcome, such as practitioners involved in local government, NGOs, journalism and activism.Portfolio requirementsApplicants from art, design and architectural backgroundsPlease submit a 10-page PDF portfolio that showcases your skills and motivations as an architect, artist and/or designer. Please include at least three projects you have worked on that are relevant to the programme. Clearly identify your contributions to any collective projects shown.Please submit a 10-page PDF portfolio that showcases your skills and motivations as an artist and/or designer. Please include at least three different projects you have worked on, and clearly identify your contributions to any collective projects shown.Applicants from non-portfolio disciplines (e.g. social sciences, sciences, humanities, politics, NGO/development work)Please provide an illustrated 10-page document of previous work related to the MArch programme's themes. Clearly identify your role and contributions in the work.Personal statementPlease provide a 300-word written personal statement that addresses the following points:Introduce yourself, your interests and your motivations for applying to the Royal College of Art, and to this programme in particular.Briefly summarise any educational background and professional experience to date that will support your application.Tell us what you want to do in the future.Video requirements