New York Admission Requirements

September 2021 Entry

• Applications are now closed.

January 2022 Entry

• Early Decision: July 26, 2021
• Priority Decision: September 13, 2021
• Regular Decision: November 29, 2021

After the Regular Decision deadline, Sotheby’s Institute of Art reviews all completed applications 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.

Additional Important Dates

• If you are seeking a partial tuition scholarship, please submit your program application by the dates below. New applications received after these dates will not be considered for scholarships:
  • September 2021 entry applicants: June 30, 2021
  • January 2022 entry applicants: October 21, 2021
• If you are an international student who will need to secure a visa for the US, you are advised to submit your application by the following dates:
  • September 2021 entry applicants: July 12, 2021
  • January 2022 entry applicants: November 22, 2021

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.

Applicants should demonstrate the following skills:

• The ability to perform at a postgraduate level, as indicated by academic achievement and recommendations.
• Knowledge of art history. Applicants without an art history background might receive conditional offers based on completing pre-requisite coursework.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and analytical skills. For international students, an IELTS score of level 7, TOEFL 100 IBT, or its equivalent is required.
• Professional experience is not a required element of our application process, however relevant employment and/or internships enhance a student’s application.

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. An official copy of the transcript, indicating that the degree has been awarded, must be sent directly from the student’s institution to Sotheby’s Institute in a sealed envelope.
  • 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: References from an academic or professional contact. For those candidates with work experience, at least one reference should be professional.
• A personal statement (1,000 words maximum): Please tell us about yourself, your reasons for your choice of program, any relevant academic or art related experience, and your future career goals.
• 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 review written for 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.

Problems with Certificates, English Language Tests, or Other Documents Related to Your Offer

• Submitting your certificates or documents: Please do not post any certificates or documents to our Admissions Offices. If you need to submit your academic qualifications, as part of your offer conditions please email a copy of your official results to the Admissions team at admissionsny@sia.edu. Please note the Institute reserves the right to ensure that original academic credentials are verified at appropriate stages.
  
• Delays obtaining university certificates or transcripts: If you are unable to obtain your university certificates/transcripts or examinations have been cancelled in your home country please let the relevant Admissions team know about this as soon as you can.
• English Language Tests: If your offer includes an English Language condition please take note of the following: If you have already taken an IELTS English language proficiency test, the Admissions team can verify your results online. Please email your Test Report Form Number or a scanned copy of your certificate to the relevant Admissions team.

If you have further questions or concerns about meeting the English language requirements of your offer then email the Admissions team for specific guidance.

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

Tuition: $1,747 per credit
Travel Fee: $3,500 per field study
Materials Fee: $800
International Student Fee: $200

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.

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

Sotheby’s Institute of Art offers partial-tuition scholarships to qualified domestic and international candidates. Scholarship awards are based on need and merit. Before you can apply for a scholarship, you must first apply for and hold an offer for a Master’s degree program at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. The scholarship application will require filling out a basic form, sending in required documentation. Merit will be based on program application materials submitted. Scholarship awards are not guaranteed and award decisions are final.

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)

Scholarship Deadlines:

• September 2021 applicants: June 30, 2021
• January 2022 applicants: October 21, 2021

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 within 5-7 working days about any outstanding documentation or required information. Applicants whose documentation is complete will receive notification if they will be offered an interview.

If you receive an offer, a non-refundable deposit of $3,500 is required to secure your place.

Applicants who require visas are advised to apply through their appropriate consulate or other government agencies at least 12 weeks prior to the start of classes in order to ensure sufficient time for processing. Students who require visas will receive visa documentation after they confirm their intention to enroll by submitting their Enrollment Forms and deposits, but no earlier than three months prior to the start of classes. Please refer to the Information for International Students page for additional questions.

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.

Admissions Q & A
Join one of our upcoming virtual info sessions to speak with our Admissions team and have all your questions answered.
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Contact Us
admissionsny@sia.edu
+1.646.438.7234

Please note: Materials should not be mailed to the Institute unless specifically requested by the Admissions Office. Transcripts and other supplemental application materials should be emailed to your Admissions team.