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

This new model of collaboration will strengthen academic quality, support regional growth, open new routes to postgraduate study and reinforce the UK's global leadership in creative education. In their own words, this effort “will create a forward-looking partnership model that will support the UK’s thriving creative industries sector, and that aligns closely with the UK Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan and International Education Strategy.”

Under the agreement, Norwich University of the Arts will deliver undergraduate degrees in Norwich, drawing on the Royal College of Art’s internationally recognised academic standards while retaining the historic city’s distinctive creative culture, studio-based pedagogy and regional impact. The Royal College of Art will provide additional quality assurance and enhancement activities for students - for example, masterclasses, access to RCA shows and events, and portfolio development advice.

These are the types of diverse collaborative ventures in which the institutions we represent at GuildHE engage. Through creative practice, they actively confront real-world challenges and play a vital role in expanding creative and cultural opportunities to regions that suffer from a lack of investment and cultural capital. Creative higher education institutions serve as regional cultural and economic anchors, partnering with local government, industry, and third sector bodies to build thriving ecosystems that drive regeneration, wellbeing, and innovation-led business growth. They work with industries including recording studios, film and theatre producers and multinational high street brands to provide opportunities for their students, as well as supporting the local economy. Indeed, Norwich University of the Arts has a collaboration with Habitat. 

Knowledge Exchange Framework results show that specialist institutions punch well above their weight, growing local economies and raising living standards by attracting innovative business and international trade. Through revitalising high streets and co-developing industry curricula, creative HEIs remain indispensable to thriving communities.

The Government’s ambitions on widening access are delivered strongly by creative institutions, which provide opportunities to students who are often shut out of, or traditionally not attracted to, higher education. Partnerships like NUA and RCA’s are, therefore, essential to ushering the widest range of students into higher education and then the labour market so they can fulfil their ambitions and contribute to wider society.

Collaboration is key to underpinning the success of our members and the wider sector, so GuildHE is proud to support and empower collaborations like these. We would once again like to congratulate the Royal College of Art and Norwich University of the Arts on their latest example of impactful collaboration across the sector.