The Experience

Hands on history
Students learn through actual first-hand examination of works of art in the galleries and museums of London and in private collections.

This first-hand looking at works of art is the cornerstone of our approach to teaching, whether at postgraduate or undergraduate level and has been a distinguishing feature of Sotheby's Institute of Art for 37 years.

Individual attention
Faculty members are available to provide guidance on both academic and career-related subjects.

Teaching styles facilitate a close working relationship with the student based on the academic tutorial system. Visit and seminar groups are divided into small numbers.

Practical training for a career
All of our programmes are designed to prepare students for a career in the international art world.

The Institute also works with students to help them find internships at Sotheby's auction house or in galleries and art institutions. Study programmes and internships give invaluable experience and lead to professional contacts.

Whatever your career aspirations, we can help guide you. Many of our alumni are working in positions all over the world as gallery assistants, gallery owners, curators and dealers or are working in art-related positions in art insurance, publishing or arts marketing and administration.

Click here for more information on careers.

Travel to Europe's art centres
Many of the Institute's Postgraduate programmes include travel to major art fairs, exhibitions, museums and collections in Europe. Certain courses also incorporate further visits abroad to Asia and across the Continental United States.

This allows students to see and experience art and objects in their historical context as well as adding regional knowledge to particular areas of study.

Click here for photos from MA Contemporary Art study trips.
Click here for photos from MA Photography study trips.
Click here for photos from MA Fine & Decorative Art study trips.
Click here for photos from MA East Asian Art study trips.

Internships at Sotheby's
Sotheby's Internships offer the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how an auction house works, how art is managed in a commercial environment and how Sotheby's business fits together.

Internships are unpaid and are offered throughout the year according to the auction schedule and last for a minimum of one month to a maximum of three months.

All full-time students studying on a course that lasts longer than six months are eligible to apply for internships. Admission is highly selective.