Art & Fine Arts Study Abroad Programs in London, England

My time at Richmond has been the best 3 weeks of my life. I've never felt freer and happier. I have made so many friends along the way that I will never forget, friends that I laughed with until we were all out of breath and crying. The history that London has is almost unreal, walking by churches that are older than America. Everyone was unbelievably kind, at concerts we were upgraded to front row seats, and in class we were given opportunities to see Oxford and York - both of which were some of the best moments I had with the friends I made. Our professor was always willing to answer two million questions, before Richmond I had never had fun learning. I'll never forget my time in London with Richmond and every opportunity it's given me.

I had a wonderful experience abroad. Roehampton University is located right outside the city of London, allowing students to experience slower everyday life while providing the fun city life of London. Beyond this, the town of Putney and Wimbledon are located very close to Roehampton, at a 45 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride. After classes, I was able to choose between exploring local areas and the city of London. London has so much to offer, from food, culture, and more. While abroad, I was able to get cheap flights to other places such as Spain, and take a train ride to Scottland.

The most valuable aspect of the curriculum was the incredible access to professionals from every aspect of the art market. Hearing from them directly about the challenges and projects they are dealing with was an invaluable tool to understand the evolving dynamics of the sector and have a better understanding of where opportunities lie.

The course was very helpful in laying the foundations of art valuation and learning what determines the success of an artist, as well as identifying the key players driving the direction of the market. On-site visits to galleries, museums, fairs, and the auction house were key to getting a hands-on experience of the different players in the art market. I attended the course during Frieze season, which meant tons of openings, shows, and initiatives provided me with countless learning opportunities, always guided by the wise commentary of our course leader Jeffrey Boloten.

I had an incredible experience at the Sotheby’s Summer Program in London. The four weeks were packed with engaging lectures led by professionals who truly know the industry, and I loved how hands-on it all felt. We weren’t just sitting in a classroom — we were out visiting galleries, museums, and seeing the art world up close. As someone who learns best through real experiences, I found that part especially valuable. As an Art History major, there aren’t many opportunities to explore the business side of the art world, so this program really filled that gap in my education and surpassed all expectations. I also met so many amazing people — many of whom I still keep in touch with months later. Overall, it was such a well-rounded, inspiring experience that I’d recommend to anyone interested in understanding both the academic and market sides of art.

My learning experience at Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London can be described in three words: insightful, inspiring, and unique. The program appealed to me because it combines expert-led classroom teaching with on-site visits to London’s most exclusive museums, galleries, studios, and more. Specifically, the entrepreneurial spirit of the program’s research projects intrigued me, as they provide an innovative, collaborative, and lasting skill set often overlooked in other programs. One of my most memorable days in the program was spent learning about how conservation practices facilitate the preservation of artworks for future generations thanks to technological developments. This lecture was followed by a trip to a Chiswick-based conservation studio, where we observed outstanding craftsmanship and expertise.

Several elements drew me to the 12-week Art Business Certificate. Its intensive structure offered a focused yet comprehensive introduction to the art world, making it ideal for career development. The balance between in-classroom teaching and on-site visits was one of the most valuable aspects of the course. The classroom sessions gave me the critical frameworks and historical context, and then the visits really brought those ideas to life. One of the most valuable aspects of the curriculum was its strong emphasis on critical analysis and contextual thinking. Rather than focusing solely on objects or market trends, the course encouraged deeper inquiry into how the art world operates, particularly around power, representation, access, and institutional responsibility.

This program helped me realize that I possess the creativity and capability not only to envision a meaningful exhibition but also to bring people together to make it happen. No matter how intimidating the art world may be, I proved my willingness to adapt and take on the responsibility of leadership in this industry. Summer Program gave me a real sense of the art world and where I could fit in. My small hometown in Arkansas has very little artistic diversity or green organizations, so it was refreshing to be in a place that truly appreciates the arts and activism.

With the Institute’s honored reputation in the global art market, its direct link to the auction house, and strong industry connections, this program was an opportunity I could not miss. The integration of academic study with in-person learning offered direct exposure to a wide range of curatorial practices, deepening my professional understanding of the contemporary art world. I completed the Curator Academy course, where I engaged daily with leading industry professionals, translating insights into collaborative group practice during our project planning. This ensured I was not only learning but actively applying curatorial skills with guidance from industry experts.

I learned a lot about myself, what it takes to thrive in new environments and how to navigate new cities, achieve my dreams, and study in another country. This course helped me figure out what I want to do once I leave the classroom

I was on London for the two three-week sessions. The classes were excellent and I really enjoyed my class about Shakespeare. We traveled to the Globe theatre to see multiple productions, then had wonderful conversations. Through USAC, there were opportunities to travel outside of London and spend time in lesser known attractions, which let me explore more than just the city. Overall, it balanced both independence to see the city and do whatever you wanted while also letting you have more structure and planned trips.

I had a great time studying abroad in London for a semester. I was able to experience student life and make friends with people in my classes. I got to immerse myself culturally while still making time for my studies. I got to visit a lot of museums through the program as well.

Studying abroad with USAC made my experience in London a breeze. USAC offered a program that was ideal for me as it was during the summer for 3 weeks rather than a semester. Three weeks was the perfect length to explore London while offering enough time to study and focus on my class. USAC prepared me well for my time abroad and offered me the support I needed. USAC allowed me to connect with other students before depature making it easier to know everyone in the program before departing. Overall, the experience with USAC was fantastic and straightforward.

During June 2025 I studied Managing Project and Events in London at University of Roehampton. I had an absolutely incredible time immersing myself in the London lifestyle, meeting other students from London, exploring famous monuments, and even going outside of London to some other English towns with other USAC students. I am interested in Project Management after undergraduate studies and this course that I took in London helped me immensely in understanding the resources and tools used in Project Management. I also went to some well-known sports facilities and the Shard for some class trips. The faculty and staff at the University of Roehampton made it very easy to navigate around campus and made us feel as if London was a second home. On the weekends I went with some of the other USAC students to other English towns including Brighton, Bath & Stone Henge, and Margate. We all had a wonderful time exploring those towns together as these were new sights for many of us. I am so grateful and happy that I had the opportunity to study abroad in London as it showed me that there are so many opportunities out in the world for people to take a part in and grow.

Truly I could not tell you what I would have changed about my experience with AIFS. The travel package was so nice, I can book a plane ticket easy peasy, but I was concerned about landing and trying to figure out the tube. They made it so I didn't have to worry about a thing. The accommodations were so nice, and well located. The first day they showed us the route to get from our accommodations to our classroom which I really appreciated. The staff were all so kind, helpful, and accommodating. The experiences they booked for us were so fun and a good balance of catered experiences and free time for you (and friends) to explore London on your own. The professor was amazing! He was incredibly knowledgeable and kind. I truly would not change a thing about my experience and I cannot recommend it enough! For this particular program, they took us to West End musicals, Oxford, Top Secret Comedy Club and out to a few dinners! During class we would walk around London to immerse ourselves in the city, we explored Kensington, the East End, Bond Street, Westminster, Big Ben, the Churchill War Rooms and more!

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

I had such a great time at Lite Regal Education Summer School 2025 The Intensive English course really helped my English improve a lot in such a short time. I also met so many new friends from different countries everyone was super kind and friendly.

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

Studying abroad in London with USAC was an incredible experience! The program made it easy to adjust, and the staff was always supportive and welcoming. I loved exploring the city, meeting new friends, and learning in such a vibrant environment. It was truly a life-changing opportunity that I’ll always be grateful for!

My study abroad experience was nothing short of amazing. I loved my walks through the Hampstead Heath, taking the tube, indulging in British cuisine and visiting the year round markets like Camden and bourough market. I highly recommend it to everyone! It was the best choice I’ve ever made! It is now a goal of mine to live in London!