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Courtauld Institute of Art

London, United Kingdom · Public · Est. 1930s (founded by collectors and philanthropists)

Updated 28 Oct 2026

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Established

1930s (founded by collectors and philanthropists)

Type

Public

Location

London, United Kingdom

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: Philippe Bontemps, Unsplash License

About the university

The Courtauld Institute of Art is a small, specialist college of the University of London. It teaches and researches the history, conservation, curation and business of art, and describes its faculty as the largest community of art historians and conservators in the UK. It also runs the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House.

Indian students look at the Courtauld for a focused art history BA, one-year MAs in History of Art and Curating, and rare three-year conservation MAs. Classes are small and London's museums are on the doorstep. Fees are high for the UK: £32,000 for the BA and £36,600 to £38,350 a year for the MAs in 2027/28. English requirements are also strict (IELTS 7.0), and TOEFL is not accepted.

Founded
In the 1930s, by collectors and philanthropists
Type
Research-led, independent college of the University of London
Subjects
History of art, conservation, curating and the business of art
BA intake
80 to 100 students a year on the BA History of Art
Locations
Vernon Square campus; the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, central London
Intake
September for taught MAs (applications for September 2027 entry are open)

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 7 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (GBP)Approx. in rupees
    MA History of Art9 months (full time)£36,600≈ ₹44.7 lakh
    MA Curating12 months (full time)£38,350≈ ₹46.8 lakh
    BA History of Art3 years (full time)£32,000≈ ₹39 lakh
    Graduate Diploma in the History of Art9 months (full time); part time is not open to Student visa holders£32,000≈ ₹39 lakh
    MA Conservation of Easel Paintings3 years (full time)£38,350≈ ₹46.8 lakh
    MA Conservation of Wall Paintings3 years (full time)£38,350≈ ₹46.8 lakh
    PhD Programme (History of Art)Full-time research degree£27,800≈ ₹33.9 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Courtauld Institute of Art with similar universities in the UK.

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    Scholarships

    • Any full-time taught MA

      "Art for All" MA Scholarship

      Value: £15,500 each; up to ten awarded (2025 entry round)

      Eligibility: Open to Home and Overseas students. Aimed at academically strong students from under-represented groups. One scholarship form covers all taught-programme awards; check the page for the current deadline.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • MA History of Art

      Dr Lee MacCormick Edwards Scholarship

      Value: £5,000 per student; three students (2025 entry round)

      Eligibility: Overseas students only (ordinarily resident outside the UK).

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • Postgraduate

      Alumni loyalty discount

      Value: 10% off tuition fees

      Eligibility: Graduates of the Courtauld, as stated on the MA course pages.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)

    Admission requirements

    Undergraduate

    • Indian applicants need the Standard 12 Indian School Certificate with 90% or above from CISCE or CBSE.
    • Alternatively, one completed year of a bachelor's degree at an Indian university recognised by the Courtauld, with an average of 75% or First Class.
    • The UK typical offer is AAA to ABB at A level; no particular subjects are required. Apply through UCAS.

    Postgraduate

    • MAs and the Graduate Diploma normally ask for a good 2:1. For India the Courtauld lists a bachelor's degree with at least 8.0 out of 10, which may vary with the university and grading scale.
    • Conservation MAs normally ask for a degree in Fine Art, History of Art or Natural Sciences (Humanities also for Wall Paintings), plus an interview, practical and colour-vision tests.
    • Most taught programmes for September 2027 close on 11 January 2027; Easel Paintings closes on 6 January 2027. Some applicants are interviewed.

    Documents

    • Valid passport
    • Degree transcripts and certificate (postgraduate)
    • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
    • IELTS Academic (UKVI) or Cambridge C1/C2 result, or a medium-of-instruction letter
    • Personal statement and references
    • Portfolio (Conservation of Wall Paintings)

    Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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    English language requirements

    English requirements
    Test or routeTypical requirement
    IELTS Academic (for UKVI)7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in Reading and Writing, for all programmes. The test must be within two years of the start date.
    Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency185 overall with at least 176 in Reading and Writing.
    TOEFL and PTETOEFL is not accepted. PTE Academic is not listed among accepted tests.
    Medium of instructionStudy at an institution where English is the language of instruction may be accepted, with a signed and stamped letter that the Admissions team reviews.

    Accommodation and living costs

    The Courtauld manages Duchy House, a self-catered hall next to Somerset House on the Strand. Students can also apply for University of London intercollegiate halls and King's College London residences through a partnership. All Courtauld rooms for 2026/27 were already assigned, so apply early. Prices below are 2026/27 Duchy House rates.

    Accommodation and living costs
    ItemIn GBPApprox. in rupees
    Duchy House small single, shared bathroom£8,930 for 38 weeks£235per week≈ ₹28,670
    Duchy House small single en suite£10,412 for 38 weeks£274per week≈ ₹33,428
    Duchy House medium single en suite£12,236 for 38 weeks£322per week≈ ₹39,284
    Duchy House double en suite38-week or 50-week contracts£341–372per week≈ ₹41,602 – ₹45,384

    Campus and location

    Teaching is based at the Vernon Square campus, and the Courtauld Gallery is at Somerset House in central London.

    • Small specialist institution focused only on art history, conservation and curating.
    • The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House holds the Institute's art collection.
    • Students are part of the University of London and can use its intercollegiate halls.
    • Duchy House is a 30 to 40 minute walk from Vernon Square.

    Careers and graduate outcomes

    The Courtauld says its alumni work across the arts, culture and business, but it does not publish graduate employment figures on the pages we checked. For post-study work rights, see our UK country guide.

    Graduate outcomes
    WhatFigureSource

    Studying in the UK

    Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:

    Other universities in the UK

    Compare all universities in the UK

    FAQs

    How much are the fees for Indian students?

    For 2027/28 the BA History of Art and Graduate Diploma are £32,000 a year, the MA History of Art is £36,600 and MA Curating and the conservation MAs are £38,350 a year.

    Does the Courtauld accept TOEFL or PTE?

    No. The Courtauld asks for IELTS Academic (UKVI) 7.0 with 6.5 in Reading and Writing, or Cambridge C1/C2 at 185. TOEFL is not accepted and PTE is not listed.

    What Class 12 marks do I need for the BA?

    90% or above in the CBSE or CISCE Standard 12 certificate, or one year of a recognised Indian bachelor's degree with 75% or First Class.

    Are there scholarships for international students?

    Yes. The "Art for All" MA Scholarship (£15,500 in the 2025 round) is open to Overseas students, and some MA awards are for Overseas students only. Check the scholarships page for the current deadline.

    Sources

    1. Courtauld: tuition fees (2027/28) (opens in a new tab)
    2. Courtauld: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
    3. Courtauld: entry requirements for India (opens in a new tab)
    4. Courtauld: postgraduate courses (opens in a new tab)
    5. Courtauld: BA History of Art (opens in a new tab)
    6. Courtauld: postgraduate fees, funding and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
    7. Courtauld: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
    8. Courtauld: Duchy House (opens in a new tab)

    Official website: courtauld.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)

    Check the latest details

    We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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