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University joins forces with Royal College of Art

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
N Chadwick/Geograph The outside of one of the Norwich University of the Arts buildings in Norwich. There are black railings outside the front of the building and people walking past it.N Chadwick/Geograph
From September 2027 students will be able to enrol on the jointly awarded courses at Norwich University of the Arts

An arts university has announced it is joining forces with the Royal College of Art (RCA) to offer degrees in the first partnership of its kind in the UK.

Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) and the RCA will offer jointly awarded undergraduate courses to support regional growth of the arts outside of London.

While details of the programmes are yet to be shared, students will be able to enrol on a range of courses delivered at the NUA campus in Norwich from September 2027.

Prof Ben Stopher, vice-chancellor at NUA, said: "I'm looking forward to the continued development of the city of Norwich as a creative regional powerhouse."

Under the agreement, NUA will deliver undergraduate degree programmes validated through the shared academic frameworks of the RCA - while retaining the university's own distinctive creative culture and regional impact.

The universities say the courses will combine specialist industry-led teaching with world-leading creative practice to boost student's skills, perspectives and confidence.

Norwich University of the Arts/Andi Sapey Professor Ben Stopher and Professor Christoph Lindner sitting down next to each other in a room with white walls with art students work exhibited on them and a wooden floor. They are both sitting at a black table signing an agreement. On the left is Ben Stopher who is wearing a white shirt and is looking directly at the camera and smiling. He also has a pair of circular glasses over his eyes. On the right is Christoph Lindner who is wearing a pale blue shirt and is also looking directly at the camera and smiling.Norwich University of the Arts/Andi Sapey
Prof Ben Stopher (left) hopes the partnership will "support the long-term sustainability of creative education"

The RCA will provide a range of enrichment for students on the courses embedded in the curriculum including masterclasses, work on live briefs, show visits and guidance for postgraduate study.

Founded in 1837, the RCA's alumni boasts major figures in art and design, including Henry Moore, David Hockney, Sir James Dyson, Ridley Scott and Dame Tracey Emin.

Stopher said: "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."

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