Online Drawing Development Year | Royal Drawing School

Course summary

The Online Drawing Development Year (ODDY) is designed for arts graduates and artists with an evolving studio practice who seek live online drawing tuition and a structured critical dialogue with tutors, mentors, and peers. Spanning three terms, this programme offers sustained guidance and skill development while supporting each student’s artistic practice.

*Start date – January 2027.
*
This flexible course allows students to curate their own selection of courses each term, ensuring a balance between work, studio practice, and other commitments. Delivered entirely online, it is ideal for those based outside London, international students, or individuals with specific access needs.

Throughout the year, students will benefit from:

Up to three online daytime drawing classes per week (or equivalent) each term, totaling 18 hours of live tuition per week.
Students curate their own programme from over 35 online daytime and evening courses.
6 x 3-hour core online evening classes exclusive to Online Drawing Development Year students
3 x 30-minute one-to-one tutorials with a faculty member
5 x 30-minute mentoring sessions with a Core Tutor
Peer-to-peer crits to develop critical dialogue
Access to online lectures featuring artists, curators, and art historians
Professional development series in the final term
Access to the Digital Studio; 1-2 hour ‘drop-in’ live streamed drawing sessions
Two days of ‘Core’ classes at our Shoreditch studios and other London locations

Assessment method

After the application deadline, a panel of practising artists will review applications based on your statement and digital portfolio. There is no interview or sketchbook submission required.

Successful applicants will be notified within one-month of the application deadline.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

Course does not award QTS

How to apply

International applicants

Open to applicants from all over the world. Daytime courses run from 10am–5pm GMT/UTC and evening courses run from 6pm–9pm GMT/UTC. Please note, all courses are taught live.

Entry requirements

Open to arts graduates and practising artists from all over the world who wish to develop their drawing skills and studio practice. Applicants should be able to commit to a year-long flexible course taught live online (UK time, courses are 10am – 5pm and 6pm – 9pm).

Course start date is January 2026.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

Location	Fee	Year

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

A limited number of bursaries are available, to qualify applicants must be a recipient of either disability support, jobseekers allowance or an equivalent Universal Credit claimant and some extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These can be applied for once a place has been offered.

Sponsorship information

A limited number of 25% bursaries are available, to qualify applicants must be a recipient of either disability support, jobseekers allowance or an equivalent Universal Credit claimant and some extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These can be applied for once a place has been offered.