The Drawing Year is a full scholarship postgraduate-level course offering up to thirty students the opportunity to focus on drawing from observation for one year. There are no tuition fees for The Drawing Year – all students are awarded a full scholarship and receive a free studio space.

Courses at the Royal Drawing School are divided into three main areas: Drawing in the Studio, Drawing from Art and Drawing London. The programme is full time and made up of three taught ten-week terms, and a final self-directed studio term culminating in an end of year show and open studios. As well as taught classes every week, students attend a Wednesday Core Programme day, evening forums and lectures, alongside personal studio practice days. 

Our Shoreditch campus is located in a converted warehouse at the heart of East London’s art, design and fashion scene. There are two spacious, well-lit drawing studios on the top floor, a fully-equipped intaglio print studio, a reference art library, and a ground floor multipurpose studios and large exhibitions space. Individual studios for Drawing Year students are situated at Space Studios in Hackney, a short journey from the Royal Drawing School.

Applicants for The Drawing Year will usually have completed a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art or a related subject, but this is not essential. Places are awarded based on portfolio and interview. Applicants are expected to show a strong portfolio of work demonstrating a commitment to drawing and a level of artistic professionalism appropriate for study at postgraduate level.