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M.A. On Campus

Fine and Decorative Art and Design Sotheby's Institute of Art

12 months
Duration
32000 GBP/year
20000 GBP/year
Unknown
Anytime
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date

About

The Fine and Decorative Art and Design MA program established the model for Sotheby's Institute of Art’s rigorous and teaching-intensive MA programs. 

Overview

Hone your visual, critical, and research skills through an integrated study of fine art, decorative art, and design from the Renaissance to the late Twentieth Century.

Tracing its origins back to the Works of Art course founded in 1969, Fine and Decorative Art and Design MA program from Sotheby's Institute of Art offers an in-depth exploration of connoisseurship and the integrated study of fine and decorative art and design, based on case studies drawn from the late Renaissance to the late twentieth century. 

Issues examined include style, materials and techniques, copies and revivals, but also investigation of patterns of patronage, collecting, and a consideration of the historical and contemporary art market for a range of fine and decorative art and design objects. 

Highlights

  • Experiential learning Visits and international study trips are significant learning events, with the travel, seeing the art in situ and informal access to tutors serving to intensify the experience.
  • Opportunity to step into the shoes of specialists Learn how to attribute and write about works of art in our auction project.
  • Privileged access to the Art World Behind the scenes tour of Burghley House stately home, examining world-class collections and royal furnishings, and an out-of-hours visit to examine modernist art at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge.
  • Renowned and inspiring speakers With previous talks being delivered by Dr Mia Jackson, Curator of Decorative Arts at Waddesdon Manor, the Rothschild Collections; Dr Rachel Sloan, Curator of Drawings at the Courtauld Gallery, James Butterwick, dealer in Ukrainian and European art, Robert Upstone, dealer, former Tate curator and member of the UK government’s Acceptance in Lieu Panel.
  • Advice from experts Regular visits to Sotheby’s auction house to preview auction sales followed by reflective sessions and tailored advice on students’ projects from Sotheby’s experts.

Career prospects

The program is aimed at students who seek an immersive object-based approach to the study of a wide range of art works, and who intend to pursue a career within the professional art world whether as an auction house expert, dealer, art advisor, curator, or academic.

Programme Structure

  • MA in Fine and Decorative Art and Design students analyze a range of predominantly European objects dating from the Renaissance to the late twentieth century. 
  • The Master’s degree is awarded for 120 taught credits across two semesters, as well as the completion of a 60-credit dissertation over the course of an additional semester. The program is of twelve months’ duration.

Key information

Duration

  • Full-time
    • 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Credits

180 alternative credits

CATS 

Delivered

On Campus

Academic requirements

GPA admission requirements GPA
Lower Second Class

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

  • Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
  • Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
  • Liability
  • Home contents and baggage
  • Accidents
  • Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Sotheby's Institute of Art and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

  • Academic transcripts/mark sheets: from all undergraduate and post-secondary academic institutions attended.
  • Two (2) letters of reference: References from an academic or professional contact. For those candidates with work experience, at least one reference should be professional.
  • A personal statement (1,000 words maximum): Please tell us about yourself, your reasons for your choice of program, any relevant academic or art related experience, and your future career goals.
  • A writing sample: A graded paper of no fewer than 1,000 words from an art history or art-related course or 1,000-word original essay or mock review written for an art publication or website. Footnotes are required for any citations.
  • A curriculum vitae or résumé.
  • An English language proficiency exam.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees
  • International

    32000 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the tuition of 16000 GBP per semester during 12 months.
  • National

    20000 GBP/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the tuition of 10000 GBP per semester during 12 months.
Home
  • Semester 2: £9,960
  • Semester 3: £4,990
International 
  • Semester 2: £15,970
  • Semester 3: £8,000

Living costs for London

1137 - 2157 GBP /month
Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Fine and Decorative Art and Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Student
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

The Association of Commonwealth Universities
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
30 Jul 2025
GREAT Scholarship - Royal College of Art
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

British Council - Accreditation UK
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
8000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships for International Students
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Get-Scholarship
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Scholarship Scheme set up with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The Anglo-Norse Society - scholarships & grants
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Anglo-Norse Scholarship Scheme set up with the Royal College of Music
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

The Anglo-Norse Society - scholarships & grants
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
30 Mar 2025
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Aga Khan Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
15000 USD
Deadline
15 Jun 2025
Eon Essay Contest
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Eon Essay Contest
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
31 Aug 2025
Amber Scholarship For September Intake
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Amber Student
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
15 May 2025
Cambridge University MBA Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Boustany Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000000 INR
Deadline
Anytime
Education Future International Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Education Future
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
10000 GBP
Deadline
25 Jul 2025
GREAT Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

British Council - Accreditation UK
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1652 GBP
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
01 May 2025
Wear & I Fashion Pioneer Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

WEAR & I
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Chevening Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

The Association of Commonwealth Universities
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

DFID/UK Universities
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
33600 EUR
Deadline
01 Jul 2025
Mundus MAPP EMJM Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Mundus MAPP
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
24 May 2025
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

ACU (The Association of Commonweath Universities)
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1500 USD
Deadline
15 Sep 2025
Headway’s Book Lovers Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Headway
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2025
1040 Abroad International Studies Scholarship Initiative
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

1040 Abroad
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
7000 USD
Deadline
24 Apr 2025
Go Global MBA Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
5000 EUR
Deadline
15 May 2025
Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

educations.com
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2025
Essay Writing Contest from EduLegit
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Edulegit
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
09 Jul 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Salvado Law
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
02 Jul 2025
Jewish Heritage Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Diamant Gerstein
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
90000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

The Ramsay Centre
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2025
Scholarship for students with disabilities
Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Anonymous Hope Fund
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
2000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The Rick Blight Leadership in Action Scholarship for Athletes
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Canadian Men’s Health Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
8000 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

European Commission
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
20 May 2025
PlagiarismSearch 2025 Essay Contest
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

PlagiarismSearch
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Mar 2025
Voice Talent Online Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based

Read more about eligibility

Voice Talent Online
Location not available
Independent provider
Grant
965 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Dr. Martin Blank – SYB Scholarship
Merit-based

Read more about eligibility

Shield Your Body
Location not available

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Fine and Decorative Art and Design
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