Norwich University of the Arts and the Royal College of Art to launch jointly awarded undergraduate degrees

Norwich University of the Arts and the Royal College of Art (RCA) have signed a historic agreement to establish jointly awarded undergraduate degrees, creating a new model of creative higher education collaboration in the UK.

It is the only current opportunity anywhere to study undergraduate degrees validated by the Royal College of Art, the world’s leading art and design university and a specialist postgraduate institution.

Under the agreement, Norwich University of the Arts will deliver undergraduate programmes in Norwich, jointly validated through shared academic frameworks. Students will benefit from the RCA’s internationally recognised academic standards, alongside Norwich’s Triple Gold studio-based teaching and distinctive creative culture.

The RCA will also provide quality assurance and enhancement activity embedded within the curriculum, including masterclasses, live briefs and guidance on progression to postgraduate study.

Commenting on the agreement, Professor Ben Stopher, Vice-Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts, said:

“This agreement represents a significant and forward-looking moment for undergraduate creative education in the UK – driven by a shared vision. By choosing to combine our strengths through a jointly validated framework, we are creating new UK and global opportunities for students to benefit from rigorous academic standards, practice-led learning and collaborative approaches that reflect the realities of contemporary creative practice.

“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.”

Commenting on the partnership, Professor Christoph Lindner, President & Vice-Chancellor of the Royal College of Art, said:

“The Royal College of Art is committed to a thriving UK art and design sector, both within and beyond London. This means working in nationwide partnership with other specialist institutions to offer greater student choice, widen access to higher level study and support the Government’s Industrial Strategy by providing a vital talent pipeline for the UK’s growing creative industries.

“This exciting partnership with Norwich University of the Arts builds on our 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.

“We also hope this example of proactive collaboration will support the UK’s position as an international leader in art and design education and give young people confidence in pursuing creative futures.”

Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK, added:

“This agreement is a fantastic example of the kind of innovative action universities are taking to evolve and work differently to support government priorities and to meet the needs of the nation. These are two strong, successful, specialist institutions with both a shared vision and complementary strengths. Already at the forefront of creative excellence, working together in this way they will be in an even stronger position to create essential skills for a rapidly evolving world.

“The partnership will also create unparalleled high-quality opportunities for both future students, and the communities around these institutions – from Norwich, to Great Yarmouth, and well beyond, enhancing access to world leading creative education.”

Norwich University of the Arts is the only specialist creative arts university to hold Triple Gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework, recognising outstanding teaching quality, student experience and graduate outcomes.

The Royal College of Art has been ranked the world’s number one art and design university in the QS Subject Rankings for 12 consecutive years.

More detail on the new, jointly awarded degree programmes will follow later this summer. The first intake of students will join Norwich University of the Arts in September 2027.

Image: Professor Ben Stopher, Vice-Chancellor, Norwich University of the Arts, and Professor Christoph Lindner, President & Vice-Chancellor, Royal College of Art, sign the agreement.
Credit: Andi Sapey