Art History Degrees in England

I completed the MA in Contemporary Art in London. My time at Sotheby’s gave me both an entry point into and an understanding of the global art world. During my Master’s studies, I not only gained an incredible amount of academic knowledge, but was also introduced to the London art world and began building my career. In my work, I look at artworks all the time, and having the ability to critically assess and understand them is very important. The skill of visual analysis, as well as developing an eye, was a major focus during my studies, and I am glad that the tutors paid so much attention to it. We were constantly looking at different works and were expected to discuss them. We were also encouraged to go to exhibitions. You learn this skill as a student and then continue to refine it during your professional life.

I had been wanting to study art history at Sotheby’s Institute for a long time and had always been drawn to the Institute’s MA Contemporary Art. I eventually started with a short course, which gave me a solid base and the chance to delve into a subject I’d always been passionate about. I instantly loved the Institute’s teaching approach—placing students in front of artworks, encouraging dialogue, and connecting theory with real experience. After my initial course. I truly believe I could not have received a better education. I constantly recommend the program to others! The MA not only provided me with in-depth knowledge of contemporary art, but it also strengthened my critical thinking, offered a clear structure of how the art world functions, and introduced me to the wide range of professional paths within it.

I did the MA Art Business at the London campus because of its course reputation, faculty, and the depth and breadth of the program. I was looking for a course that would give me a broad but thorough introduction to the commercial art world. The MA Art Business program at Sotheby’s Institute inspired me to explore contemporary art, dream big, and nurture my confidence in international cross-cultural networking, which gave me the encouragement to find my path in the art business world. I would recommend this program to those with an interest in working in the commercial art world and collaborating with art industry players or to those who have an interest in collecting art.

My time at Sotheby’s Institute was deeply enriching, and a big part of that was thanks to the incredible professors. Their expertise, support, and ability to connect theory with real-world examples made the learning experience truly engaging and inspiring. I loved how the MA Luxury Business program covered a wide range of luxury sectors—from hospitality and jewelry to fashion and art—and explored the evolving definition of luxury across cultures and time periods. Being in London really enhanced the experience, as the city itself is a global hub for art, fashion, and luxury. I especially appreciated the immersive learning. We had the opportunity to visit incredible places like the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, Rathfinny Wine Estate in Sussex, Van Cleef & Arpels School in Paris, and Mandarin Oriental in Milan. These experiences offered invaluable insight into how luxury is created, curated, and communicated in different contexts. In addition to the site visits, we were also joined by a range of guest speakers from across the luxury sectors, including areas like jewelry and hospitality, who shared valuable insights into their careers, challenges, and lessons learned—adding a real-world dimension that made the learning feel even more relevant and inspiring. I also really enjoyed taking electives from other programs—my course on art forgery, for example, was especially eye-opening and gave me a new lens through which to view authenticity in the luxury space.