V&A/RCA History of Design MA

Royal College of Art

Innovative interdisciplinary tools for understanding the world and design of things from c. 1500 to now. Benefit from our collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum and enjoy privileged access to museum spaces. Learn through hands-on teaching which moves beyond the classroom into studios, archives, galleries and public spaces. Ranked No. 1 in the QS World University Rankings for History of Art, Design and Architecture programmes (2023, 2024, and 2025). Objects shape everyday life, now and in the past. We study how objects are created, used and circulated around the world. We see design history in everything: in the materials that objects are made from, in their processes of production, and in the networks that they are part of. Studying with us, you'll develop your research skills and be inspired by future-facing approaches from design history. Our students explore diverse and global topics from fashion and textiles history to graphic, architectural and urban design. Histories of theatre and performance and the material culture of photography are a regular focus. Digital materialities are as relevant to us as histories of craft, making and the decorative arts.