From India to Innovation: How the Royal College of Art is Shaping the Next Generation of Creative Leaders

Time of India

4 days ago

By Dimple Bangalore, current student on the
Writing MA
at the Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art (RCA) in London stands as the
world's number 1 university for art and design
for the 11th year in a row, according to the QS World University Subject Rankings. Founded in 1837, RCA is a postgraduate-only institution that is highly influential in the world of design, art, architecture, communication, and the humanities.
The RCA is committed to fostering global talent, which has created a thriving space for Indian students to leverage opportunities available to them there and in London. RCA admits over 150 students from India annually, with a sharp increase year-on-year since the pandemic. To better understand the experience of Indian students, why they chose the RCA, and how it develops their practice, I sat down with four current students from various programmes.
Aditi Agarwal, a graduate from Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore, and a current
Communication MFA
student at RCA says
'RCA, with its 180 year history, has been highly impactful in graduating people who have gone on to make a change in the real world, so RCA was my first choice because I wanted to be part of that clan making the change rather than experiencing it.'
RCA's distinguished alumni have garnered international accolades in various artistic disciplines. Most recently, Jesleen Kaur (
Jewellery & Metal MA
, 2010) won the Turner Prize in 2024, and Douglas Stuart (
Fashion MA
, 2000) won the Booker Prize in 2020. Pleural, a company started by four
Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc
graduates, won the 2024 James Dyson Award.
Aditi Agarwal and Rutuja Shelke
RCA deeply values real-world application and collaboration for its students. Rutuja Shelke, a
Communication MFA
student and also a Srishti alum, has been most impacted by the opportunities for artistic engagement in the city of London, which has helped her engage a larger set of people while learning from professionals.
'RCA sent out an opportunity to participate in a mural competition. I was so new to London, and had never lived internationally before. I was a bit hesitant, but I decided to participate despite knowing all my peers are also super talented because it's the best school in the world! But when I applied, the project manager, Walter Paice, was so kind and facilitated my learning experience throughout. It led to a pivotal connection with Walter, who works in the arts and design sector and is dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging artists. He invited me to collaborate on a mural project commissioned by the Hammersmith and Fulham Council, for Fulham Cycles, a local cycling shop. This six-week project I completed in February was an intense but rewarding experience. This mural now stands there and interacts with the public, and it feels nice to have done that so soon.'
Rutu in the digital print studio
Similarly, Shubhangi Pandey from
Service Design MA
recounts that the opportunity for collaboration during her study at RCA has enabled significant professional and personal growth in a short period.
'My current project at RCA focuses on exploring the male partner's journey during miscarriage, which is a deeply sensitive and often overlooked aspect of healthcare. Studying here has provided me the invaluable opportunity to engage with the National Health Service UK, among other organisations. This platform not only enhances my learning but also empowers me to contribute to impactful, real-world outcomes.'
Shubhangi Pandey (centre) and RCA teammates Alice Chapman, Olivia Cederquist, Lucia Perez and Saloni Sehgal, winning first prize at the Zlin Design Week awards Service Design category for their project 'Creative Currents'
After graduating from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Shubhangi worked in Microsoft, India, before joining RCA.
'During my tenure at Microsoft, I had the privilege of working across both the Accessibility team and the Responsible AI and Machine Learning team. One of the most meaningful projects I contributed to was Voice Access, which aligned with my values around inclusive design, accessibility, and ethical innovation. This experience inspired me to expand my focus beyond individual design components and develop a broader, systems-oriented perspective. It was this shift that led me to pursue a Master's in Service Design at the Royal College of Art'.
Shubhangi selling her book at the RCA Christmas Fair.
While speaking about their experiences studying in London, the Indian students I spoke with unanimously felt that the artistic scene, vast number of galleries, and museums, and the openness of other artists and professionals to work alongside RCA students is a positively surprising part of the experience at RCA. Aditi recalls discussing with her parents about London before moving.
'London has much more openness. While working in Mumbai or in Jaipur, I always heard of exciting things happening in the London V&A Museum or in various other museums. London feels like the right space for artists & designers, and a place I could relate to.' While there is immense opportunity to learn and collaborate in London, there is also a large scope for opportunities after graduation. For Shubhangi who already had some work experience, this part of the experience of studying in London stood out: 'The sheer range of opportunities, events, and experiences it offers is remarkable, making it an ideal environment for those who thrive on energy, innovation, and action. From networking and career development to world-class design events, London is highly accessible and deeply connected to other global design hubs, offering unparalleled exposure. It's a city that rewards ambition and initiative'
.
Tanvi Sankhe at work on her Interior Design masters
Coming from the Indian education system, which can sometimes be more focused on functionality and production, Indian students at RCA tend to cherish the interdisciplinary approach and RCA's world-class faculty's focus on critical thinking. Tanvi Sankhe, a current student of
Interior Design MA
particularly appreciates the opportunity to learn from her diverse and talented peers within and outside her program.
'One of the most varied and imaginatively stimulating groups I have ever dealt with is my cohort. Our varied professional and cultural backgrounds lead to incredibly fruitful conversations and cooperative moments. We encourage one another and offer constructive criticism of each other's work, producing a strong sense of community. Through tutorials that frequently resemble thought-provoking discussions, the faculty pushes us to stretch our limits while contributing both professional as well as academic insights. The emphasis is on process, critical thinking, and originality. Collaboration within programs is encouraged, and interior design frequently intersects with digital media, art, and performance, all of which have greatly broadened my viewpoint'.
Tanvi receiving her certificate as a recipient of the GREAT Scholarship
The RCA-India connection continues to develop and while each year brings a bigger influx of new students, it also results in more members added to the College's global alumni network. If you have bold creative ambitions and a desire to shape your future, the Royal College of Art might just be where your journey continues. You can explore the list of postgraduate programmes offered by the RCA
here
.
Read about how Royal College of Art
graduates shone at India Art Fair 2025
Find out about the Royal College of Art
graduate exhibition, RCA 2025