Painting MA

Royal College of Art

The Painting MA at the RCA cultivates an inclusive and expansive approach to painting as both a material practice and a way of thinking. You interrogate the meanings, forms and futures of painting in the contemporary world, drawing on its rich historical, material and conceptual resources while engaging with global, transnational and intercultural contexts. Supported by individual tutorials, group critiques, seminars and lectures, you refine your studio practice through critical reflection, experimentation and dialogue with peers and invited contributors. The programme encourages you to question existing ways of working and develop as an independent artist, researcher and thinker, building a sustainable professional practice beyond the institution. Programme structure: Term 1 In term 1, you take Positioning Painting, which supports you in understanding the motivations, subject, concepts, form and execution of your work and establishing the research that drives your practice. Through critical reflection, experimentation, technical development, lectures, seminars, tutorials and group critiques, you position your practice within historical, theoretical and contemporary contexts. Term 2 In term 2, you take Painting in Focus, where you build on your work from Term 1 by consolidating and focusing your areas of enquiry and material processes. You develop work at an advanced level while articulating your research through verbal presentations and critical reflection. You also take a choice of elective units, allowing you to shape your own learning journey and work alongside students from other programmes. Term 3 In term 3, you take Independent Research Project, producing a resolved body of work that addresses the key ambitions of your practice. You consolidate your independent research, critical thinking and understanding of contemporary contexts, working towards a public exhibition and developing a sustainable practice beyond the institution.Referring to the website: 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 12 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2026) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.