royal college of art (RCA) joins Preferred Partner Scheme

The Aziz Foundation is happy to announce that it will now be offering Master's scholarships at the Royal College of Art (RCA), where talented British Muslims can receive a scholarship to undertake a range of degrees in art and design.

The institution has demonstrated that it is committed to extending widening participation to the postgraduate level, and creating an inclusive learning environment for British Muslim students. Despite no regulatory obligation, the RCA has an Access and Participation Plan (APP) in place covering all its provision, including postgraduate programmes, to support the work of enhancing access for minoritised communities to the arts.

Furthermore, the RCA has shown a great degree of leadership in creating the Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship Fund supporting students of a Black African and Carribean diaspora heritage.

In response to the announcement, Professor Christoph Lindner, President & Vice-Chancellor of the Royal College of Art, said:

'The RCA is committed to improving access for talented students from underrepresented communities to pursue postgraduate creative education. Partnering with The Aziz Foundation to offer scholarships to exceptional British Muslims starting next academic year enables the College to accelerate our work to open more pathways to valuable learning opportunities and exciting future careers in the creative industries.'

On behalf of the Aziz Foundation, Dr Zain Sardar, Programme Manager, said:

'It gives me great joy to welcome the RCA into our portfolio of 50 university partners. The RCA is the first specialist arts institution the Foundation has partnered with, which makes this a very special relationship indeed, and one that will, crucially, open up opportunities for British Muslim artists and creatives. The RCA's  steadfast commitment and intrepid leadership on widening access to minoritised communities is highly commendable and particularly praiseworthy.'

The Foundation aims to work closely  with the university in order to reduce the impact of equalities gaps on British Muslims in higher education.

The next Masters Scholarship Programme application cycle will commence in January 2025.