Take your creative practice to the next level with a Master of Fine Art (MFA) at RWCMD – Wales’ national conservatoire in Cardiff. Our MFAs stand out in the UK for their specialist, industry-focused training with direct links to the creative industries.
You’ll study in small, supportive cohorts, work alongside leading professionals, and graduate with the skills, experience and industry connections to launch your career.
An MFA, or Master of Fine Art, is a postgraduate degree built around real-world industry practice. It’s designed to help you deepen your craft, expand your creative voice, and make a confident transition into the professional world.
As an internationally recognised qualification, an MFA can also open doors to teaching at university level in, many countries. It’s ideal if you want to specialise after graduation, develop your practice as an early-career creative, or retrain to take your career in a new direction.
Career pathways – designed to prepare you for sustainable careers across theatre, opera, TV, film and digital media, giving you the skills and experience to succeed in a fast-changing industry.
Strong industry links – connections with organizations such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Welsh National Opera, Sherman Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre keep your training closely connected to the profession.
Professional experience – placements and public productions built into every course mean you graduate with real-world experience and professional credits on your CV.
Specialist training – intensive, practice-based courses taught by experienced professionals.
Small cohorts – a highly supportive environment with small class sizes, one-to-one mentoring and space to develop your individual artistry.
Collaborative community – opportunities to work across drama and music disciplines, building creative partnerships for your future career.
A working arts centre – as Wales’ national conservatoire and arts centre, RWCMD stages over 500 performances each year as part of an internationally recognised public programme.
Choose from four two-year MFAs, each combining specialist training with professional experience.
As well as training in a world-class conservatoire, you’ll be based in Cardiff – a vibrant capital city with a thriving creative scene. Known as one of the UK’s most student-friendly cities, it’s safe, affordable and easy to get around, with theatres, rehearsal spaces, festivals and cafés all within easy reach of campus.
You’ll be surrounded by professional companies including BBC Cymru Wales, Welsh National Opera, Sherman Theatre and Welsh National Theatre, and the city is a hub for major TV and film productions being made for the likes of HBO and Netflix. This mix of stage and screen opportunities creates a dynamic environment that’s especially valuable for MFA students building networks and experience across different industries.
Cardiff is also a welcoming and inclusive place to live – big enough to feel exciting, small enough to feel like home – giving you the freedom to focus on your training and creative practice.