Close Request Information

Terms and Conditions of Enrollment

Enrollment is complete only when Sotheby’s Institute of Art - London has received the required course fee within the specified deadline. Payment of the fee is regarded as acceptance of the Institute’s Terms and Conditions of Enrollment in their entirety. The Institute reserves the right to ask a student to withdraw from a course at any time should any part of the fee remain unpaid.


Course and Travel Fees

Fees cover all lectures, seminars, practical sessions, use of campus facilities, and out-of-London study trips.

All other accommodation costs and personal expenses are not included in the fee and are the responsibility of the student.


Cancellation of course by the Institute
If the Institute cancels your Course, it will notify you as far in advance as possible and refund any fees you have paid to Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Other than refunding your fees, the Institute accepts no liability for expenses or losses you or any third party may incur because of a Course’s cancellation.


Withdrawal by You other than during the Cooling Off Period
In order to be granted a full tuition refund, students must cancel their registration by sending an email to admissionslondon@sothebysinstitute.com six weeks prior to the course start date.

The refund schedule for the tuition per course is as follows:

  • Up to six weeks prior to the start of the course:
    100% of the remaining course tuition
  • Four to six weeks prior to the start of the course:
    Your pre-paid course fees may be applied to any other Sotheby’s Institute program for a year
  • Less than four weeks prior to the start of the course:
    No course tuition will be refunded.

Refunds are processed based on the date and time that the cancellation request is received.

Please note that Sotheby’s Summer Institute is unable to reimburse for any currency conversion fees charged by the credit-card issuer and that refunds will be issued to the paying credit card.


*Due to the current world health situation around Coronavirus/COVID-19, we are carefully monitoring the situation and will adjust our refund policies as necessary. We know it’s important in these times for you to have flexibility in making choices about your summer plans. The six-week out date from the first summer course, which begins on June 8, is April 27 and we have waived the administration fee of 15% for any cancellation in this period. We will reassess and communicate any further changes to the refund policy necessary well in advance of this date, as the situation develops. We want you to feel confident about applying to and participating in our programs and to know that you will be able to make choices as the situation evolves.


Withdrawal due to Visa Issues – Non UK/Non EU Students
Students from outside the European Community are responsible for ensuring that they have the appropriate visa to enable them to study in the UK. Students with visas that do not permit them to study will be refused entry to the course. If students are unable to obtain a Short Term Study Visa and have documentary evidence to show this, they can apply in writing to the Admissions Committee to be considered for a refund of tuition fees already paid. Refunds are made payable to the originator and the originator’s bank account using the same method of initial payment.


Deferral of Enrollment
If you wish to defer your enrollment offer to the next academic year you must officially request a deferral by email to the Admissions Office at admissionslondon@sothebysinstitute.com. All tuition and fees paid will then transfer to the next academic year. After this one year, the Institute will no longer hold a place for you (and you will need to re-apply should you wish to attend the Institute). In such event, the Institute will retain all funds that you paid. Please note that you will have to pay any increase in tuition fees for the year in which you will join the Course.
Failure to complete a course does not constitute official withdrawal, nor does notification to the instructor, nor does lack of attendance, nor does dissatisfaction with a course.


The Courses
The Institute aims to ensure that the student learning experience, as described in the prospectus and student handbooks, is delivered and maintained at all times. In some circumstances the Institute may have to vary the method of delivery of your Course, and in some cases, the syllabus may be altered or updated. In the unlikely event that the Institute discontinues your Course or changes it significantly, whether before you start your Course or once you have begun, we will tell you at the earliest possible opportunity. If this happens before you start your course, you may wish to withdraw your application; if you do so, the Institute will provide you with support and guidance in finding an alternative Course either at the Institute or at another UK university.
Subject always to the previous paragraph, the Institute will make all reasonable efforts to deliver your Course as described in the institute’s prospectus. There may be occasions where due to unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances it becomes necessary to make significant changes to a course or to withdraw it or part of it, e.g. a particular unit. Such action could become necessary if for example the following were to occur:

  • A member of staff leaves the Institute and we are unable to find a suitable replacement (e.g. with the requisite academic knowledge/experience);
  • A professional body or regulator/accreditor requires changes to be made to a course or withdraws their accreditation of a course;
  • Changes have to be made to reflect legislative changes/requirements;
  • Changes have to be made to reflect changes in standards set by relevant regulators and/or in keeping with best practice or developments related to the particular discipline/subject area;
  • Student feedback clearly indicates that immediate changes be made to a course or unit; or
  • An unanticipated external event or issue with the buildings results in disruption to delivery
  • Unexpected low recruitment to a Course/course means it is simply no longer viable or practical to run it.


Requirements for completion of four-week courses

  • Students who are taking a course for credit from the University of Manchester are expected to complete assignments and must achieve a mark of at least 40% in order to pass the course and receive a transcript and certificate.
  • It will not be possible for students that elect to take the course for credit to change to auditor status once the course has begun.
  • Students who take the course as an auditor are required to have an attendance record of at least 80% in order to receive an auditor’s certificate.


Student Conduct

Acceptance of this offer of admission presumes an agreement to abide by the policies and procedures of the Institute. You can find these policies here. In particular, please note the following:

  • Unless otherwise stated, attendance at all classes/visits on a given course is expected except in exceptional circumstances
  • The Institute reserves the right to bar students arriving late from classes and visits
  • The use of mobile phones or other handheld devices in class is strictly prohibited
  • The Institute requires its students to behave professionally and courteously to Institute staff, faculty and fellow students at all times.

Continue Exploring

Summer Study in London