Masters Degrees in Visual Arts

Having entered the art world with an undergraduate degree in economics and no background in art, MA Contemporary Art program provided me with an understanding of the fundamentals of art business. From understanding how social and political factors inform artists and art movements, to developing the skills necessary to engage with art in its variety of mediums, my studies have allowed me to speak intelligently about art, and most importantly, to learn how to respect what artists are trying to convey. This experience has taught me to look at art through a more informed lens.

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 applied to Sotheby’s Institute of Art to learn more about the commercial art market and the business of art. I received a Master in Arts in Art Business at Sotheby’s Institute, and my courses included Art Law, International Art Markets, and Art Advisory and Collection Building. I also developed a Curatorial Thesis focused on Black Speculative Art theory, Afrosurrealism, and Afrofuturism. The MA Art Business program gave me a greater understanding of the different forces at play in the art market and how they work together for an artist and their career. It also made me more knowledgeable about the different art-related career opportunities available. Hearing from industry guest speakers, from Amy Cappellazzo to Jerry Saltz, exposed me and my fellow students to the different impacts professionals can make in the industry. It was empowering to be surrounded by professionals with various career experiences through our faculty, like Judith Prowda and Claude Grunitzky. We had a unique experience learning about art not only from a cultural and historical perspective, but also from a legal, financial, and market perspective.

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.

I enjoyed my time at Westminster University. I studied in the post-graduate course Media, Campaigning and Social Change. This course exceeded my expectations. It covered everything listed on the information site plus so much more. University of Westminster is very diverse and I always met so many people from all over, studying various and interesting topics. The academic staff are very professional and know their topics well. The foundation of learning at UW is based in critical thinking. I loved how I was allowed to express my own opinions, hear others and learn from them and also and analyse an idea from all angles. I would recommend this university and this course.