The Courtauld Institute of Art

One of the most prestigious art institutions in the world, the Courtauld is proud to be in the Top 5 in the world by QS World University Rankings by subject in Art History. Across our History of Art, Curation, Conservation and Art & Business Programmes, the university has a small student body of around 500 students, and is notable for the high proportion of its alumni which go on to work as directors of the world’s leading museums.

Founded in 1932, the Courtauld is located in Somerset House, one of London’s most iconic buildings, which is also home to The Courtauld Gallery that features works of world-renowned artists such as Van Goph, Monet and Cézanne. This is currently undergoing a major regeneration project.

Only one undergraduate program is offered by the institute - a degree in History of Art. The range of postgraduate degrees is wider, including our MA History of Art which allows students to specialize in particular fields by choosing one of over 30 Special Options, ranging from Art and Architecture in Medieval Spain: Christian, Muslim and Jewish Entanglements, 700-1500 to Beijing and Beyond: Art and Empire in Early Modern China, 1600-1900, all the way up to The Sixties: Eccentric, Erotic, Psychotic.

 Students benefit from access to an extensive library collection (one of the UK’s largest holdings of art history books, exhibition catalogues and periodicals) and the institute’s gallery which contains more than 500 paintings and over 26,000 prints and drawings.