Master’s Degrees in New York Admission Requirements

Applications are now being reviewed on a rolling basis. Space is limited so we strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications as early as possible. Our Admissions team is available throughout the admissions process to offer support and answer any questions you may have.

If you are an international student who will need to secure a visa for the US, you are advised to submit your application before the Regular Decision Deadline. Further information on visas can be found below.

To be eligible for admission, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution by the date on which they enroll at the Institute.

We welcome applicants from a range of academic backgrounds. Where an applicant to one of our programmes does not have a first degree in art history or a related subject, the offer may include a recommendation or requirement to complete an introductory Art History course prior to enrolment.

All prospective students must apply using the online application. A complete application includes:

• Academic transcripts/mark sheets: from all undergraduate and post-secondary academic institutions attended.
  • Unofficial copies of transcripts are sufficient for the application process and for issuing decisions. The documents must be in English. The admissions department will require an official transcript once you enroll in the program.
  • Official international transcripts must be accompanied by certified course by course credential evaluations. The evaluation will convert the grades and GPA into the United States grading scale. For more information, please visit the World Education Services website: wes.org

• Two (2) letters of reference: from an academic or professional contact. Candidates who graduated more than 2 years prior to applying may present two professional references if they are no longer in contact with the faculty at their undergraduate institution.

• A personal statement (1,000 words maximum): Please tell us about yourself, the reasons for your choice of program, any relevant academic or art related experience, and your future career goals. The statement should clearly reference the Institute and the program which is being applied to. 

• A writing sample: A graded paper of no fewer than 1,000 words from an art history or art-related course or 1,000-word original essay or mock gallery/museum/exhibition review written as if it were to be published in an art publication or website. Footnotes are required for any citations.

• A curriculum vitae or résumé

• An English language proficiency exam (required for non-native English speakers): A minimum score of IELTS level 7 or TOEFL 100 IBT will be considered. If your undergraduate coursework was conducted in English or if you have extensive English-speaking professional experience, it may be possible to waive the English language proficiency exam, upon review of your application. Note: TOEFL and IELTS scores expire two years after the test date.

• Payment of the application fee: A nonrefundable fee of $100 (USD) is required for the 2020 online application. Applications are not considered complete until the fee has been paid.

GRE test scores are not required, but are accepted. The GRE code for Sotheby’s Institute of Art is 4161.

A non-refundable deposit of $3,500 is required to secure your place on all programs. The deposit will be applied to Semester 1 tuition. 

CREDITS

Semester 1: 15 credits
Semester 2: 15 credits
Semester 3: 6 credits

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition: $1,878 per credit
Travel Fee: Each field study trip typically ranges from $3,800 to $5,000 according to program, entry semester, and destination. Travel fees are indicative only and subject to change.
Materials Fee: $824
International Student Fee: $206

Sotheby's Institute of Art tuition and fees are updated annually based on the curriculum and field study destinations.

Capstone (thesis or project) may be undertaken remotely or while working. Students may also choose to do an optional 3rd semester of coursework + field study at Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York or London. Tuition and fees will vary by campus.

Credits: The Master’s degree is awarded for 30 taught credits across semesters one and two, as well as the completion of a 6-credit thesis or capstone project in the third semester. Course work is completed in semesters 1 and 2 for 30 credit hours, the minimum necessary for a Graduate Certificate. For students pursuing a Master’s degree, a thesis or capstone project is required and represents a total 36 credit hour requirement for the MA. This is undertaken in the third semester, either independently off-campus or alongside continued coursework on campus, which includes a third field study opportunity.

Field study is required of all students and is non-refundable. The travel fee covers all transportation, accommodations, and privileged access to venues and events.

The materials fee allows Sotheby’s Institute to operate as a fully-fledged and independent academic center including our library, full technology resources, student and academic advising, and career services.

The international students fee is required of students who are not United States citizens to ensure support for the unique needs of our international population.

Deferrals: 

The Institute permits deferrals over one academic year only. To secure the place in the following year, a second non-refundable “deferral fee” payment will be due to the Institute. Any scholarship awarded will not be transferred.  

We encourage applicants who intend to defer to wait and apply when the form for the intake they wish to join goes live. Deferrals are approved at the discretion of the Institute. 

Sotheby’s Institute of Art offers partial-tuition scholarships to qualified domestic and international candidates. The scholarship award acts as a partial fee waiver and is evenly divided and applied to semester one and two tuition. Scholarship awards are not guaranteed and award decisions are final. 

Fall 2023 Applicants 

Merit awards 

Applicants who have maintained an overall grade (or completed undergraduate study) with a 3.7 GPA (or equivalent) will be eligible for a partial-tuition merit-based award and will automatically be considered. Awards are not guaranteed, and the decision will be based on the program application materials submitted and faculty assessment. Award decisions will be communicated at the point of an offer being made. 

Need-based awards 

Students seeking a partial-tuition scholarship based on financial need will be asked to submit the following evidence after submission of the application. Award decisions will be communicated at the point of an offer being made. The need-based scholarship application includes: 

• Domestic Students: Scholarship Form, FAFSA, Two consecutive years of IRS tax forms (additional documentation may be required including parents’ IRS tax forms) 

• International Students: Scholarship Form, Equivalent of proof of income (additional documentation may be required including parents’ financial information) 

Please select 'Sotheby's Institute of Art Scholarship' as one of the funding sources on our application form to indicate you wish to be sent a need-based scholarship form after the completed application has been submitted.

Scholarship Deadlines:

You must have applied to the program before the following date: 

• September 2023 entry: March 1, 2023 

Financial Aid Opportunities

SIA-NY participates in Title IV Financial Aid Program and commonly works with Sallie Mae.

• For more information on FAFSA please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• For more information on Sallie Mae please visit https://www.salliemae.com/

Our admissions team will follow up with you regarding any outstanding documentation or required information. Applicants whose documentation is complete will receive an invitation to attend an academic interview by email to the address used in the application.

September 2023 Entry 

Teaching begins on September 5, 2023 

We recommend that applicants who require a visa to study in the US apply through the appropriate consulate or other government agency at least 12 weeks prior to the start of class to allow sufficient time for processing.

As visa processing times vary by country, students applying to a program less than 12 weeks before the start of class should refer to the US Department of State information on estimated wait times by Embassy/Consulate and contact us at admissions@sia.edu for further guidance.

Some of your questions may be answered in the frequently asked questions section of our website. If you do not see your question, we are happy to help. All prospective students are encouraged to contact our Admissions Office to schedule a one-on-one information session to learn more about the program, the application process, tuition, financial aid, and more.

Contact Us
admissions@sia.edu
+1.646.438.7234