Overview
Luxury isn’t what it used to be. Shifts in consumer values, buying power, access, and technology are shaping an innovative and dynamic luxury market. The Sotheby’s Institute MA in Luxury Business examines this sophisticated industry as it is diversifying and expanding, and explores synergies with other industries and cultural landscapes, such as the art world. The luxury industry has been expanding constantly over the years, with positive growth in both key sectors, i.e. luxury personal goods and luxury experiences. Art and luxury have a long and fascinating history of influencing each other to create timeless, aspirational experiences.
The MA in Luxury Business responds to the recent creation by Sotheby’s auction house of a Luxury, Art and Objects division as one of the two major divisions of the company. Building on the Institute’s high level academic knowledge and industry expertise, the program adds a specific focus on transferrable skills and professional development. Through privileged access to industry experts and iconic institutions, graduates are equipped with the intellectual, theoretical, and personal skills to advance their careers in the luxury business.
Academic Structure
The Luxury Business MA program offered at Sotheby's Institute of Art prepares students to specialize in the innovative and ever-changing luxury industry. Students will examine luxury’s social, historical and cultural evolution. They will critically reflect on how luxury businesses deliver value to their markets through specific branding and marketing strategies. They will become familiar with the sectors of the industry and its players, and with the financial, legal and strategic elements of business management in luxury. They will also consider intersections with other high-value cultural industries, particularly art. Graduates of this program will contribute to a growing area of expertise in the global luxury market and will be proficient in navigating both the business and the creative side of the field. The program is designed for students who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of luxury as an economic sector and a cultural phenomenon and who intend to pursue careers in this growing and dynamic field. The approach is a combination of rigorous academic study along with continuous professional development through direct access to key market players and industry experts. The program takes advantage of the privileged location of London, one of the global cultural and financial hubs for luxury, and other high-end creative and cultural sectors. Thus students will access luxury venues in London, exploring the creative and commercial processes as implemented in business practice.
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 MA in Luxury Business is organized around 3 main curricular themes, each with further modular specifications:
Luxury in Context: the concept, the business. This unit introduces the students to the concept of luxury and its historical development. It considers luxury across different cultural contexts and examines the different ways in which luxury has been experienced, interpreted, and questioned. The unit delves into the social and economic processes through which luxury became a structured industry, and considers its evolution to the present.
The Luxury Market: explores consumer behaviour in luxury, omnichannel marketing and engagement strategies, as well as notions of branding. Teaching is constructed around practical business cases within the industry.
Managing a Luxury Business: emphasizes the structure and operations of the luxury business (law, finance) as well as shaping forces like sustainability, ethics, and CSR. It also considers professional attitudes and etiquette/netiquette required in the industry, as well as self- branding; leadership; entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship.
Programme Structure
- Graduates of this program will contribute to a growing area of expertise in the global luxury market and will be proficient in navigating both the business and the creative side of the field.
- The program is designed for students who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of luxury as an economic sector and a cultural phenomenon and who intend to pursue careers in this growing and dynamic field.
- The approach is a combination of rigorous academic study along with continuous professional development through direct access to key market players and industry experts.
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 12 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApply anytime.
Language
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Credits
CATS
Delivered
Disciplines
Business Administration Fashion, Textiles and Luxury Goods Fashion Design View 645 other Masters in Business Administration in United KingdomAcademic requirements
English requirements
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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.
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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
To be eligible for admission, applicants must have earned a bachelor's lower second-class honors (2:2) degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution by the date on which they enroll at the Institute. Please be advised that a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent is a mandatory requirement, work experience cannot be accepted in lieu of this qualification. Applicants should demonstrate the following skills:
- The ability to perform at a postgraduate level, as indicated by academic achievement and recommendations.
- Knowledge of art history. Applicants without an art history background might receive conditional offers based on completing pre-requisite coursework.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and analytical skills.
- Professional experience is not a required element of our application process, however relevant employment and/or internships enhance a student’s application.
Tuition Fee
-
International
32000 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 16000 GBP per semester during 12 months. -
National
20000 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 10000 GBP per semester during 12 months.
- Semester 2: £9,960
- Semester 3: £4,990
- Semester 2: £15,970
- Semester 3: £8,000
Living costs for London
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
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Scholarships Information
Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Luxury Business.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
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