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”.
