Frequently Asked Questions

There are numerous options for learning with the Institute, from longer duration accredited programs to short, skill-based courses. Contact admissions@sia.edu to speak with an advisor who can help you navigate the course catalog and determine the right fit for your background and goals.

No, you do not need formal training or professional experience in the art world to take a course. We believe a diversity of backgrounds enriches the classroom experience and is encouraged. For the MA program, some applicants might receive conditional offers based on completion of a preparatory class if a foundational background in art history is determined necessary or a prerequisite for success on the graduate-level.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art programs that are accredited include Master’s Degrees and Study Abroad courses in London.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London, degrees are awarded by The University of Manchester, a Russell Group university in the UK. Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York holds permanent degree-granting authority from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Credits obtained from accredited Sotheby’s Institute courses are widely accepted by other universities, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. If you want to transfer credits to another full-time program, please speak with your academic advisor at your home institution before applying.

Yes, the Institute offers financial assistance and scholarships in the MA and Pre-College programs. Students may apply for independent scholarships and external funding as well. More information can be found on the specific course pages within these programs, or contact admissions to explore options for financing your education at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

The Institute is privately owned yet maintains a close relationship with Sotheby’s auction house. This context allows for the objective rigor essential for an academy of higher learning, paired with exclusive access to the world’s largest art business.

Auction house experts teach or guest lecture in many classes, and depending on the course, you might spend off-site time behind the scenes of the New York or London showrooms. For MA students, there are numerous opportunities for entre to the auction house, access to Sotheby’s experts, and employment or internship possibilities with Sotheby’s.

The Institute welcomes a highly international student body and all classes are taught in English. Non-accredited programs generally do not have an English language requirement. Accredited programs such as the MA and Semester do have English language requirements, and we accept IELTS and a range of other qualifications. Please speak with your admissions advisor to discuss the detailed requirements for your program and individual application.

For accredited courses (MA in London) and the Pre-College program, you must formally apply. Visit the admissions pages of your preferred program for requirements and deadlines. For other classes including online courses, Summer Institute non-accredited courses, and short courses, you can register directly without submitting an application.

Yes, many of our non-accredited classes are designed to accommodate working professionals. For MA students on in-person programs, our student and career services can advise you on balancing an internship or part-time job in addition to your studies.

Keep in mind that for students requiring a visa, there might be restrictions regarding paid or unpaid work.

Students from other countries wishing to study in our summer or short courses in New York or London can secure a Tier 4 visa, tourist visa or short-term study visa, if necessary. MA or Semester students will need to explore what documentation is required to complete their course of study on campus. Sotheby’s Institute of Art staff can provide advisement, but it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she has consulted with the relevant government resources and secures the appropriate documentation.

Yes, the Institute has a Careers office and offers individual career counseling to MA students. Employer fairs and career panels are also convened throughout the year for students of all programs.

Yes, Sotheby’s Institute of Art offers a Pre-College summer program for high schoolers in New York. Students who are above the age of 18 can study in our Summer Institute courses (4-week course credits can be applied to a home institution), online courses, or opt to study abroad in the Semester program in London.

Currently, Sotheby’s Institute of Art does not directly offer housing with the exception of the Pre-College program in New York. However, we provide relevant information to admitted students on housing resources in our home cities of New York and London.

We endeavor to accommodate students as much as possible, but there may be non-refundable deposits or deadlines beyond which we cannot issue refunds. In many cases, you can request a deferral to a later term in lieu of a refund. Please read the terms and conditions of registration for your program before confirming your registration and completing payment.

Yes, you will receive a certificate when a program is successfully completed. The level of certification or acknowledgement of completion may differ by program according to the duration, rigor, and credit-bearing status of the course. Students in the post-graduate level will receive a Master’s Degree or, if they choose not to do a thesis or capstone project, a Post-Graduate Diploma (London) or Graduate Certificate (New York).

Yes, over 2,000 students complete a course at Sotheby’s Institute each year, and there are over 8,000 MA graduates around the world. For MA alumni, there are alumni located in over 55 countries on six continents and an alumni database. For alumni of other Institute programs, there are myriad opportunities to stay connected, network, and benefit from lifelong resources.

Yes, all prospective students, alumni, and friends of the Institute are invited to our campuses in New York and London. Please contact an admissions advisor to make an appointment for a site visit or consultation. The Institute hosts numerous events throughout the year which are open to the larger Sotheby’s Institute of Art community and public.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York is accessible. Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London is located in an historic Georgian building at Bedford Square in Central London. Our campus comprises a Grade I listed building dating to the late 18th Century which is currently not fully accessible to wheelchair users.

We are committed to improving the accessibility of our premises, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work toward this important goal. Some teaching activities may take place at other venues in central London, which have varying levels of accessibility. If you have specific questions about the accessibility of our campuses, either as a visitor or prospective student, please do not hesitate to contact us at admissions@sia.edu.