The Research Department facilitates and develops research into the V&A's collections and connects the Museum to the wider world of research in Art and Design. The V&A has worked in a special partnership with the Royal College of Art for over 25 years to offer postgraduate study programmes incuding the world renowned MA programme in the History of Design which makes a direct contribution to research into the V&A collections. Alumni from these programmes have entered the world of design at all levels including leading curators, journalists and design historians. The department also forges links with external bodies and expertise through a programme of AHRC funded partnerships with universities and research fellows who contribute their specialist knowledge to the Museum.