Intelligent Mobility (Taught)

The MA Intelligent Mobility at the RCA builds on the college’s rich history in vehicle design, situating this within the context of emerging social, cultural and technical change from autonomous systems and renewable power to demographic shifts and the increasing synthesis between humans and machines. You will translate techno-cultural challenges into mature design and innovation propositions using intense creativity and research, working closely with mobility practitioners, thought leaders and major brands to engage with critical questions of business, production, ownership and use. The programme fosters a commercial, connected mindset, preparing you to be a design leader in the ‘third age’ of automotive and mobility design across vehicles, mobility services and artefacts.

About RCA:

The Royal College of Art is the world’s leading postgraduate art and design university, providing students with unrivalled opportunities to develop their practice, build their networks, enhance their career and to deliver art and design projects that transform the world.

For 12 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2026) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.

Course Modules

Term 1
In term 1, you take People and Places, which provides a framework for understanding how future mobility fits into changing global landscapes and how social and spatial systems connect through mobility.

You also take Humanising Technology, where you explore how new mobility technologies, like autonomy and electrification, can be designed to enable meaningful human interactions and improve trust, safety, and wellbeing.

Term 2
In term 2, you take Automotive Transitions, reimagining vehicle typologies, architecture, and services in response to new mobility trends, manufacturing and business models.

You also participate in the Grand Challenge, a school-wide unit focused on a “wicked” global design issue that requires cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Term 3
In term 3, you take Independent Research Project, where you define, develop and present a self directed research-led mobility project. You work with tutors to map out a research question, methodology, and the media (2D, 3D, digital) to communicate and realise your final work.

AcrossRCA
During the first two terms, you participate in the AcrossRCA college-wide unit, collaborating with students from other programmes on a self-initiated themed project that addresses cultural, social, environmental or economic issues.

Core Skills

The Core Skills unit supports the development of academic and professional skills for your personal projects and beyond in your professional practice and career. It focuses on key skills for your discipline through three themes: Making Meaning (focusing on critical thinking and research), Making Together (focusing on collaboration and inclusive practice), and Making Public (focusing on communication, engagement and leadership).

Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information about the programme, its structure, modules and any updates or changes.

https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/programme-finder/intelligent-mobility-ma/