Master's Admissions

Application Deadlines

Fall 2026 Application Deadlines:

*To apply for scholarships, students must apply to Sotheby’s Institute of Art by the priority application deadline and submit their scholarship applications by the scholarship deadline. Further details can be found by clicking on the Financial Aid tab.

We review completed applications on a rolling basis in the order that we receive them, and we recommend applying by the priority deadline.

Eligibility

Admissions Requirements

We welcome prospective students to apply using the online application. A complete application includes:

• Academic transcripts/mark sheets: from all undergraduate and post-graduate academic institutions attended. 
  • Unofficial copies of transcripts are sufficient for the application process. Final Official Transcripts are required prior to enrollment.
    • If your undergraduate degree is still in progress, please provide the most up-to-date transcript available at the time of application.
  • If the document is not originally in English, an official certified translation must be submitted in accompaniment with the original document.
  • Prior to enrolling, transcripts for undergraduate degrees received outside of the U.S. and U.K. must be accompanied by a certified course-by-course credential evaluation. Please view the list of accepted providers below:
    • International Education Evaluation (IEE)

• Personal Statement (500 – 1,000 words): Please tell us about yourself, the reasons for your choice of program, any relevant academic or professional experience, and your future career goals. The statement should clearly reference the Institute and the intended program.

• Writing sample (1,000-word minimum): Please provide a piece of writing that meets the following criteria:
  • MA Art Business: a graded paper from an art history or business-related course, or an original piece of writing that is an exhibition or artist review. Footnotes are required for any citations.
    • If using a writing sample from an academic thesis or a longer piece of writing, please provide an excerpt of 2 – 5 pages.
  • MA Luxury Business: an essay about an aspect of luxury/the luxury industry. A possible topic could be “What is the trend that, in your opinion, will define the luxury industry in the coming years?”
  • Writing samples should have been written within the past four years.

• Curriculum Vitae or résumé

• Two (2) letters of recommendation: from academic or professional contacts (references do not need to be from an art-related background).
  • The application form includes a section to list your reference’s name and contact information. Upon submission of the application, our reference form is sent directly to your designated references, who will be prompted to submit their letter of recommendation. 
    • If your reference needs assistance submitting their letter, please refer them to the admissions team at admissions@sia.edu.

• English Language Requirement (required for non-native English speakers):
  • We accept TOEFL, IELTS Academic, and Duolingo and require the following scores:
    • TOEFL: 100
    • IELTS: 7.0
    • Duolingo: 130
  • English Language Requirement Waiver: In the application process, you will be prompted to provide proof of meeting this requirement. In some cases, an English Language Requirement Waiver may be granted. This will be reviewed in tandem with your application. You may request an English Language Requirement Waiver if:
    • Your undergraduate or graduate degree is from a country where English is the national language, and English was the primary language of instruction.
    • Your undergraduate or graduate degree is from an institution where the degree was taught entirely in English.
    • You have extensive English-speaking professional experience.

Tuition

Fall 2026

Sotheby’s Institute of Art charges tuition on a per-credit basis for Online degree programs. To earn the degree, a student must complete the required 36-credit hours. The Online MA Degrees can be completed in 3, 4, or 5 semesters.

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

Estimated Cost Per Course

Sotheby’s Institute of Art courses are typically 1.5 or 3.0 credits, with a 6.0 credit third-semester thesis or capstone course. For more information about the program structure, please visit the Curriculum Guide.

*The number of credits and total tuition each semester may vary depending on your selected track. For more information about financing your studies, please visit our Financial Aid tab.

Financial Aid

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.

Payment Plans

Students have the option to pay tuition in installments over the duration of the course. For more information, please contact our financeny@sia.edu.

U.S. Federal Aid

U.S. students pursuing an Online Master’s degree at Sotheby’s Institute of Art may be eligible for Title IV Financial Aid.

• For more information on FAFSA, please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• FAFSA Code: G41798

Partial-Tuition Merit and Need-Based Scholarships

Deadline to Apply for Institutional Scholarships: May 15

Applicants who submit their application to Sotheby’s Institute of Art prior to the priority deadline are welcome to apply for scholarships. Students seeking a partial-tuition scholarship based on academic merit or financial need can complete supplemental scholarship applications when they submit their admissions application. Awards are not guaranteed, and decisions will be communicated on a rolling basis.

After you Apply

Term Dates

2026/2027 Academic Calendar – Fall 2026 Start

Please note dates are subject to change.

Contact Us

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