Public Courses FAQs

General 

Q. I'm a beginner to drawing, is this course suitable for me? 
Yes, our courses are open to all levels, unless stated in the course description. When you sign up to the course, you can note you are a 'beginner' at drawing, and we will inform the tutors. 

Q. What is the minimum age limit of your public courses? 
The Public Programme courses are only for students aged 18 and over. There is no maximum age limit. 

Q. Do I get a certificate after completing a Public Programme Course? 
We do not issue certificates at the end of Public Programme Courses, but you are welcome to use your order confirmation e-mail as evidence that you are enrolled on a course with us.  

Q. Do you have a half-term? 
We do not have half-term holidays during term time. 

Booking a course

Q. The course I wanted to enroll on is fully booked, can I put myself on the waiting list? 
We have waiting lists for all our public courses. Please press 'Book Now' on the relevant course page and 'Join Waiting List'. Follow through the relevant steps and you will automatically be put on the waiting list, no payment will be taken. We will call and/or email you if a space becomes available on your desired course.  

 If you are on a Waiting List, please note that this does not guarantee a space will become available. For those keen to take a course, we suggest exploring other course options and trying something new! 

Q. Are you able to hold or reserves spaces on courses? 
We are unable to hold or reserve places on courses, your booking is only secured when payment is made. 

Q. I am going to miss a couple of sessions of my course, can I take these off the price or make them up later? 
We cannot take any missed classes off the overall price, nor do we arrange additional classes for the ones you missed. If you are going to be absent, please email us to let us know so we can inform the tutor.   

Please see our Full Terms and Conditions here.  

Q. Can my friend take my place if I cannot continue the course? 
Our courses are designed over a five- or ten-week period so unfortunately, we cannot accommodate a different student to join later in the term. 

Q. Do I have to book in advance for a drop-in place?  
No advanced booking necessary to drop-in, just come on the day and pay when you get there. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessions are available, please bring proof of concession with you and show it when you pay.  

Our drop-in classes are open to all levels, except for the Etching drop-ins, which are only suitable for students who have previously done a printmaking course and have had a Print Room induction. 

Q. I don’t have a UK passport or live in the UK, can I still join the course? 
If you live abroad, you can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can attend any in-person course with this Standard Visitor visa. As we are not an accredited institution, we are currently unable to sponsor Student visas. 

More information can be found on the UK Government website: GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

Q. I have been unable to secure a place on a course this term, when will the next set of courses be available?  
We would suggest subscribing to our newsletter to receive any updates on future courses, you can subscribe here: Sign up to our newsletter and view our Term Dates here.

Payment 

Q. Can I pay in instalments for the course?  
Booking a course can only be made via the website, and full payment is needed to secure your place.  
 

Q. I can’t afford the full fee; what concessions are available?  
We offer a range of concessions on our term-time courses, details of who is eligible and how to apply are listed on our Concessions and Course Fees webpage.

Please email us proof of the relevant concession to admin@royaldrawingschool.org prior to booking the course and wait for confirmation it has been accepted before making your booking. 

We also run free drawing classes on the first Thursday of the month, which will be listed in our Lecture & Events section.

Attending a class

If you are running late to an 'out of house' or in-person class, please email admin@royaldrawingschool.org. For classes 'out of house' we will get in touch with the tutor to find out the meeting point for you.  For studio classes you will need to wait until the next available model break takes place before setting up, as this can be very disruptive to the class and the model.  

Q.  Are there breaks during class time and where can you eat and/or drink in the building?  
The lunch break for our daytime courses is held typically between 1pm – 2pm. We encourage students to go outside to eat lunch where possible, there are lots of local cafés, restaurants and green spaces nearby. There is a microwave and some seating on the Ground Floor students can use. Teas, coffees and biscuits will be provided for evening classes, and there will be small breaks periodically throughout the evening classes.  

There are water towers on each floor of the building which dispense hot and cold water. Please carry a reusable water bottle with you, and if you wish to bring a flask and bring your own tea or coffee you can. Please note that there is no fridge available for student use. No alcohol is allowed in the studios.  

Q. If I miss a class, can I get notes from the tutor to catch up? 
We are unable to provide course notes or homework for students who miss a class.    

Facilities and accessibility 

Q. I am disabled, is your course accessible? 
We welcome anyone who would like to join the course. Our Shoreditch studios are fully accessible, with a lift to all studios and accessible toilets on each floor 

 We can arrange for adjustments to be made to teaching such as closed captions on our online courses, or seated donkey benches instead of easels for our in-person courses. 

 Those with visual impairments or physical access needs may find that the online courses offer more flexibility as they do not involve any commuting and can provide close-up access to models when drawing. Click here to view our Online Courses and for further information read our Online Short Course FAQs.  

 If you need a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, please let us know.   

Please note, our Print Room has limited access and etching involves using hazardous chemicals. The print room environment is not suitable for everyone. Etching classes are unsuitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those sensitive to chemicals or with breathing difficulties.    

If you have specific needs, please let our Public Programme team know before starting the course and discuss how we can support you. You can contact the team by e-mailing admin@royaldrawingschool.org. 

See more about our Studio Facilities here.

Q. Do you have bike storage? 
We currently do not have bike storage for students in the building. There are various bike racks located around Shoreditch.  

 
Q. Is there WIFI in the building? 
Yes, posters with the WIFI details can be found at reception and studio noticeboards.  

Q. I have left something in the studios, is there a Lost Property box? 
We have a lost property box, and endeavour to put anything left behind after a class in there, however the turn-around between classes is quick so if something is not labelled it may be missed and left-behind drawings will be put in recycling. We cannot be held liable for missing items. Please ensure you label belongings and your work, tidy away at the end of the day, and check as you leave the studios that you have taken everything with you. Please contact us on admin@royaldrawingschool.org if you think you have left something behind, and we will check. 

Q. Do you have a Library I can use? 
We have a small reference library located in the 4th Floor Student Liaison office, which students are welcome to use whilst studying on a studio-based course. Please note the books cannot be taken out of the building. 

Materials & studio etiquette 

Q. Can I take photos in the studio? 
We have a strict no photography policy in our studios to protect the privacy of our staff, models and students. Please ensure when entering the studios that your mobile phone is switched off or on silent and please check any texts or make calls outside of the studio. You can only take photographs of your work during the lunch break whilst the model is not posing, and no other students are in view. 

Q. What materials are included in the course?  
For studio courses, easels and drawing boards are provided, and charcoal, newsprint and masking tape are provided in the studios for free. There is an added paper fee included at the time of booking for all in-person courses which covers the use of cartridge and watercolour paper that is provided in the studios. Any other materials you would like to use please bring with you, we will send out a suggested material list before the start of your course.   

For out-of-house courses: you will need to bring your own paper and materials with you. You will be sent a suggested material list before the start of the course.   

For painting courses: which take place only in the Holidays, a separate material list will be provided. There is an added Co-Co Bello Solvent fee for painting courses which includes a 50ml pot of solvent to use during the course. Please note that no other solvents will be allowed in the studios, in order to protect not only those with allergies but all who paint within our studios. Co-Co Bello is a plant-based, natural & odourless oil painting solvent. It is a replacement for traditional solvents and thinners such as turpentine, white spirit & alcohol. Co-Co Bello is non-hazardous, non-flammable.  

Q. What do I need to bring with me for Printmaking courses?  
For etching courses, materials and paper can be bought at just over the cost-price in the Print Room (card payments only). Most students usually spend between £10 - £20. You will need to wear apron/old clothes and bring some ideas and source material with you too!  

 
Q. Can you leave materials and drawings in the studios? 
Unfortunately, due to limited space, we are unable to store any materials or student work during term time courses. Many students bring a portfolio case or tube to carry drawings to and from the studios.  

For painting courses during the holidays, you may be able to leave paintings during the week but must take them home on the final day of the course.  

Q. Where can I use fixative spray?  
Please do not use fixative in the building. You may fix your drawings outside and away from the building.