Arts institutions team up to offer joint degrees

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is to award undergraduate degrees for the first time, thanks to a “historic agreement” it has signed with Norwich University of the Arts.

The RCA, which currently offers exclusively postgraduate provision on its London campuses, will jointly validate bachelor’s courses with its new partner institution, as well as providing “enhancement activities” like special masterclasses for students in Norfolk.

It is the latest agreement between the RCA and another creative institution, with a slate of “memorandum of understandings” already existing with the likes of Arts University Plymouth on areas such as research and knowledge exchange.

Institutions in the UK have recently been looking at combining operations and courses, against a backdrop of financial strain for the sector – with some pursuing full mergers.

Universities UK chief executive Vivienne Stern has praised the arts institutions for teaming up, calling it “a fantastic example of the kind of innovative action universities are taking to evolve”.

Under the new agreement, Norwich University of the Arts will lead on the delivery of the undergraduate degree programme, keeping control over the organisation’s “distinctive creative culture, studio-based pedagogy and regional impact”.

The RCA will not deliver any teaching, but will help to provide “shared academic frameworks”, as well as additional quality assurance and guidance for students on progression to potential postgraduate study.

Those studying at the RCA’s homes in Battersea, Kensington, and White City will be unaffected in the immediate term by the partnership, representatives said, with no plans to change the postgraduate focus of the London institution.

However, those spearheading the initiative hope it will draw greater attention to “postgraduate pathways” for those studying in Norwich, which could encourage applications from those who “may not have considered study at the RCA before”.

In its most recent financial review, released for the 2024-25 year, the RCA noted that it faced a unique struggle when it comes to recruitment.

“As a postgraduate specialist institution with primarily one year MAs, the college has more sensitivity than many others in the higher education sectors to volatility in the UK and international student recruitment market,” the report noted.

Its 2025-26 student numbers and fees fellow “below original targets” outlined in its five-year financial plan – though “despite these hurdles”, the organisation maintained a “stable financial position” and achieved a “modest” unrestricted operating margin of £1.7 million.

Meanwhile, Norwich University of the Arts’ latest review forecast a deficit of 10 per cent for the institution in the 2025-26 financial year – attributing this to “inflationary pressures” as well as “the need to provide up-front investment for our new course portfolio and research activities”. Its income fell £1.6 million in 2024-25, as a result of a decreased student intake.

According to its 2022-27 strategy, the university is aiming to “become the place where the debate about the changing social, political, and economic purpose and future of creativity and creative arts education is most passionately engaged”.

Christoph Lindner, president and vice-chancellor of the RCA, said its newest partnership would build on its work “developing progression routes and joint areas of academic endeavour with specialist providers across the country”.

“It brings together two successful and distinctive institutions with complementary strengths to open up new pathways for study, collaboration and careers for students from the east of England and beyond,” he said.

Ben Stopher, vice-chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts, called the agreement a “significant and forward-looking moment for undergraduate creative education”.

“It demonstrates what can be achieved when specialist institutions work together to protect quality, widen access and support the long-term sustainability of creative education,” he said.

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com