About the programme
Innovation Design Engineering (IDE) is a two-year, full-time programme run jointly by the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London; the partnership is about 40 years old. Graduates receive both an MA (RCA) and an MSc (Imperial). At the RCA it sits in the School of Communication & Design and is based in Battersea.
The course has three phases. In the first two terms, the Foundations phase includes units such as IDE Fundamentals, Transdisciplinary Practices, Cyber Physical Systems, Regenerative Materials, Structures & Aesthetics, and Impact. In terms three and four, the Consolidation phase covers Sustainable Systems and Agency & Implementation, and students plan their final-phase projects.
In terms five and six, the Mastery phase combines team projects, individual work and an elective. The programme mixes design, engineering, science and enterprise. Students can use RCA workshops, and graduates can get start-up support through InnovationRCA.
- Format
- In person in London (Battersea), full-time, leading to a dual MA/MSc award (360 credits).
- Length
- Two years (six terms).
- Cost
- For 2027/28 entry, first-year fees are £20,350 (Home) and £47,250 (Overseas/EU). Second-year fees are not yet published. Offer holders pay a non-refundable deposit of £1,000 (Home) or £3,500 (Overseas). IDE-specific bursaries, such as the James Dyson Foundation Bursary, are open to Home students.
- Admissions
- September 2027 entry has three RCA rounds, closing 8 January, 23 March and 2 June 2027. Offers go out on a rolling basis, and earlier applicants get priority for scholarships. You need a portfolio PDF of up to 20 pages, a 300-word statement and a two-minute video.
- Background
- Usually a UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent, from any discipline. The English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
- Capstone
- The final Mastery phase (terms 5-6) combines team and individual projects with an elective.
Who it suits
Suits designers, engineers and scientists who want to build physical and digital products and possibly start a company, with an Imperial MSc as part of the award. Anyone who wants a screen-focused UX or HCI degree, or a one-year course, should look elsewhere.
Checked against Royal College of Art’s official programme pages in October 2026.
