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Royal Drawing School

London, United Kingdom

Private non-profitScholarships

Quick facts

World rank
Unranked
Acceptance rate
—
Students
—
International students
—
Institution type
Private non-profit
Founded
2000

Overview

Royal Drawing School is an independent, artist-led, not-for-profit specialist institution based in Shoreditch, East London. It was founded in 2000 by HM King Charles III and artist Catherine Goodman CBE LVO. Registered as a charity (No. 1101538) and a limited company (No. 4971133) in England and Wales, the School is dedicated solely to the teaching and practice of observational drawing.

The School offers over 350 drawing courses per year, taught by more than 100 practising artists. Its programmes include: The Drawing Year — a full-time, full-scholarship 16-month postgraduate-level programme for 30 selected students; the Online Drawing Development Year (ODDY) — a year-long online programme at postgraduate level; 3-Month Drawing Intensives (in-person and online); 5- and 10-week courses; 1-week intensive courses; single drawing classes; a Digital Studio; the self-paced Drawing Foundations online course; and Young Artist courses for ages 10–18.

Courses are delivered from the School's Shoreditch studios, across London locations including the National Gallery and British Museum, and online. The School's mission is to raise the standard and profile of observational drawing through teaching, research, and exhibitions, and to make high-quality drawing education accessible and affordable to all. All courses come with a wide range of bursaries and scholarships.

Fields of study

  • Fine Arts
  • Drawing
  • Visual Arts
  • Printmaking

Admissions requirements

IELTS (minimum)
—
TOEFL iBT (minimum)
—
GPA (minimum)
—
Intakes
Autumn Term 2026, Spring Term 2027, Summer Term 2027
Application deadlines
Varies by program
Rolling admissions
No

Requirements differ between programs. Check the program page and the university's admissions office for the latest criteria.

Tuition & costs

International students

Varies by program

Domestic students

Varies by program

The Drawing Year is free (full scholarship) with living grants available. Drawing Intensive (in-person): £1820 per 3-month term; Drawing Intensive (online): £1720 per 3-month term. Online Drawing Development Year: £4150 for the full year (subject to change). Drawing Foundations (on-demand): £245. Concessions are not available on the Drawing Intensive. An application fee of $45 USD applies to the ODDY.

Tuition varies by program. Confirm with the university before applying.

Programs

Programs offered by Royal Drawing School
ProgramLevelDurationTuitionDeadlineIntakes
Drawing Foundations (opens in a new tab)Online——£245 / totalVaries—
Drawing Intensive: Online (opens in a new tab)Online——£1,720 / totalVariesSeptember, January, April
Drawing Intensive: Studio (opens in a new tab)Part Time——£1,820 / totalVariesSeptember, January, April
Online Drawing Development Year (opens in a new tab)Online—1 year£4,150 / totalVariesJanuary 2028
The Drawing Year (opens in a new tab)Full Time——VariesMar 31, 2027—

Information last verified Oct 4, 2026. Last updated Oct 14, 2026. Fees, deadlines and requirements change — always confirm with the university.