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Sotheby's Institute of Art London
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Sotheby's Institute of Art London
Master’s Programs
- Age of students – from 21 years old,
- The duration of studying is from one year.
On campus, SIA London offers four programs leading to a master's degree in arts:
- Luxury business,
- Business in the arts,
- Contemporary art,
- Fine, decorative and applied arts, design.
Each of the programs lasts a little more than one academic year, stipulating intensive theoretical, practical studying in the first two semesters. Further, students devote time to improving their knowledge and skills through participation in external events: exhibitions, business projects, activities of state museums and galleries.
Master's degrees are awarded on behalf of the University of Manchester.
Summer Program
- Age of students – from 18 years old,
- The studying period is four weeks.
The summer four-week program is aimed at students who want to improve their knowledge and skills before entering the bachelor's program. Students will have the opportunity to explore one of the greatest cities of art in the world while building a portfolio of work that will give them an edge in admission. Thanks to the choice of courses and the mentorship of world-renowned teachers, students will complete thematic tasks on the topic of the chosen direction. Course options include:
- Global Art Market – The course explores the ecosystem of the art world, introducing the key concepts, personalities, and business models that underpin the global market and the broader creative economy. Exclusive access to individuals and institutions in the art world is a crucial learning tool, as it includes visits to art institutions across London for hands-on learning,
- Curator Academy (with a focus on project activities): this course will provide students with contextual knowledge and practical skills to plan, develop and implement a curatorial project,
- Luxury Business – Under the guidance of experienced faculty, students will immerse themselves in the multifaceted world of the luxury segment, gain an in-depth understanding of what defines luxury in today's global context, and the main aspects of setting up or running a business in the sector. The curriculum covers a wide range of foundational topics: the study of the heritage and impact of historic luxury brands, the valuation of luxury goods, the legal and ethical considerations, and the analysis of changes in luxury retail. Students will work in groups or individually to develop their own draft business plans for a new or existing luxury business.
Programs combine expert sessions, workshops and group activities alongside visits to London's largest cultural venues, such as the Tate Modern and Tate Britain galleries, the National Gallery, Somerset House Studios and the Wellcome Collection. Also included in the course are:
- Day trip outside London,
- Project assignments,
- A combination of joint group work and independent research,
- Access to a network of industry experts, academics, and peers.
A limited number of places are reserved for summer program students in partner housing agencies.
Short Courses
- Age of students – from 18 years old,
- The duration of studying is from five days.
On the campus of SIA London, short-term courses are held during the academic year, leading to the acquisition of professional skills, certification, and additional knowledge in the field of arts.
- Five-day courses are intensive programs designed for art lovers who want to acquire targeted skills in a short time. The learning process will allow you to improve your CV, gain knowledge in the fields of marketing, financing, investment and luxury,
- Professional Certificates in 12 Weeks – Part-time courses that will help students understand how to start a career in the arts and creative industries. The program includes classroom studying and offsite events with visits to thematic organizations, seminars by industry leaders,
- Evening courses for 6 weeks allow students to expand their knowledge in subjects such as art business, art history, auction market. Students will attend seminars by industry leaders, work in groups and individually with qualified teaching staff to gain competitive knowledge and continue their education.
All course formats are offered in a wide range of areas, including:
- Marketing in the field of art,
- Arts: Finance, Investing,
- History of Art,
- Art business,
- Luxury Strategies,
- Curatorship: key concepts.
Online Courses
- Age of students – from 18 years old,
- The duration of studying is 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks.
The institute provides the opportunity to get certified in an online format, offering more than a dozen courses:
- The art of collecting,
- Art history: from Egyptian to pop art,
- Basics of Art Business,
- Curation: from idea to exhibition,
- Art: buying and selling at auction,
- The art of writing,
- Art as a global business,
- Introduction to Contemporary Art,
- Valuation: the appraiser's point of view,
- Management of a gallery of contemporary art and others.
Courses are mainly conducted in May-July, the duration varies from 2 to 8 weeks. With the help of video communication platforms, a wide range of online resources, students gain competitive knowledge to realize their potential and continue their academic path in their specialty.
Description of Sotheby's Institute of Art London
- Location: London, England,
- Year of foundation: 1969,
- Language of instruction: English,
- Type of studying: mixed.
Sotheby's Institute of Art, London (SIA London) is a private art institute offering master's, professional and short-term summer courses.
SIA London, originally conceived by the Sotheby's auction house, opened in 1969 as a studying program for art connoisseurs. Since then, and to this day, SIA London has been committed to providing students with a business education in the arts, while exploring both the scientific and practical sides of the creative world. The institute is privately owned, but maintains a close relationship with the auction house Sotheby's: this context allows for the objective rigor required for an academy of higher education, combined with exclusive access to the world's largest art business. Auction house experts teach or give guest lectures in many classrooms, depending on the course, students can spend time behind the scenes of the exhibition halls of New York, London. For graduate students, there are numerous opportunities to enter the auction house, access to Sotheby's experts, and ample opportunities for employment or internships.
Master's degrees on campus in London are awarded by the University of Manchester.
Educational process
The learning process is focused on practical skills – theory plays an important role, but more hours are devoted to applied classes, during which students gain a professional understanding of their education.
Accommodation, meals, prices
SIA London does not provide accommodation for the course duration.
Activities Sotheby's Institute of Art London
In their free time, SIA London students focus on developing their creative skills. Thanks to partnerships with public and private exhibition complexes, art institutions and organizations, the institute offers opportunities for practice, attending thematic seminars and master classes, and participating in exhibitions.
Advantages
- All Master's programs are endorsed by the University of Manchester, the first and leading English civic university to be part of the respected Russell Group,
- Certificates, academic credits obtained during studies are accepted by many universities,
- Qualified teaching staff pays individual attention to each student,
- Practice-oriented education with the possibility of internships,
- Online programs are available.
Facilities and equipment at Sotheby's Institute of Art London
Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, SIA London is part of Bedford Square, one of the main surviving Georgian squares in London. A private central garden is located in the heart of the square, open to students of the institute at any time. Sotheby's Auction House, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts are all within walking distance of the campus, which includes a Grade I listed building. For effective learning, it is equipped with specialized studios and classrooms, lecture halls, areas for individual classes and group projects, workshops and many other premises.
Admission dates and extra charges
The Institute works almost all year round, excluding international and national holidays, weekends, seasonal vacations. The academic calendar consists of three semesters:
- Autumn: September-January,
- Spring: January-June,
- Summer: July-September.
Classes are conducted on weekdays, in the morning, afternoon or evening depending on the course.
Approximate list of additional costs includes:
- Registration fees,
- Transportation fees,
- Additional academic opportunities,
- Personal educational materials,
- External exams,
- Personal expenses.
Enrolment process
Applicants will have to fill out an online application, provide the required documents and pay the application fee. The admissions committee invites candidates for an interview, after which some applicants receive an official letter of admission. To reserve a place on the program, prospective students must pay a deposit and then arrive on campus to begin classes.
Perspectives
During studies, students receive academic credits in their specialty, which allow them to continue their education at leading universities of the arts in the future.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
Depending on the chosen program, the admission criteria will vary. International applicants wishing to obtain a master's degree must provide:
- Personal documents: passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit,
- Bachelor's degree, report cards,
- A personal statement of 500-1,000 words,
- An essay on the history of art or a review of an exhibition, museum, gallery of 1,000 words,
- Two letters of recommendation,
- Language exam results: IELTS (from 7.0), TOEFL (from 100), PTE Academic (from 65) or equivalent,
- Autobiography, resume.
Scholarships Sotheby's Institute of Art London
The institute offers financial aid and scholarships for students in master's programs, as well as assistance in obtaining awards from external sources. Scholarships are awarded to students who are particularly successful in completing their course, and financial support is determined by those who are in a difficult life situation.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Sotheby's Institute of Art London
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
