Luxury Business

Who Is It For?

Summer Program in New York City is open to applicants at least 18 years old by the beginning of the program and currently enrolled in, or considering enrolling in, an undergraduate university program.

Applying students are required to have a minimum 2.5 GPA or equivalent and will need to upload an unofficial copy of their most current university transcript as well as provide a short personal statement detailing their interest in the program. For non-native English speakers, we require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL score of 85 IBT, CEFR score of B2, or a Duolingo score of 120.

The program is suitable for students studying a wide range of major subjects across, humanities, arts, and business.

Domestic (U.S.) students will be eligible to earn academic credit upon completion of the program. All courses are accredited for 4 US credits through the University of Montana.

International students (non-US students) may not be able to take this course for credit. However, we still welcome international students to apply if they are interested to take the course on a recreational basis. For more information, please contact our admissions team at studyabroad@sia.edu.

Course Modules

Week 1: Foundations of Luxury

Week 1 explores the origins, aesthetics, and cultures of luxury in New York City. Students examine how luxury has been defined across time, cultures, and economic systems, from heritage craftsmanship and exclusivity to modern expressions of status and aspiration. Using New York City as a case study, students explore the evolution of luxury in fashion, real estate, art, and consumer culture. Key discussions focus on symbolism, scarcity, craftsmanship, and cultural capital, setting a shared vocabulary and framework for analyzing luxury throughout the course.

Week 2: The Luxury Economy

Building on foundational concepts, Week 2 explores the economic structures that drive the global luxury industry in New York City. Students analyze how luxury markets function, including pricing strategies, global supply chains, consumer segmentation, and the influence of emerging markets. Special attention is given to New York City’s and the Hamptons luxury real estate, retail districts, and investment landscape. Through case studies and industry insights, students investigate how wealth, globalization, and consumer behavior shape the modern luxury economy.

Week 3: Brand Architecture and Experience

Explore how luxury brands craft identity, storytelling, and experience. Week 3 centers on how luxury brands create meaning, desire, and loyalty through brand architecture, storytelling, and immersive experiences. Using case studies of luxury brands such as Oscar de la Renta and Louis Vuitton, students examine how leading luxury brands manage portfolios, protect brand equity, and design high-touch consumer journeys across physical and digital environments. Site visits and guest speakers highlight how flagship stores, private client experiences, and cultural collaborations reinforce brand narratives and exclusivity.

Week 4: Responsible Luxury and New Frontiers

The final week looks toward the future of luxury, with an emphasis on responsibility, innovation, and transformation. Students explore sustainability, ethical sourcing, circular business models, as well as the growing demand for transparency and purpose-driven brands. The week also examines emerging frontiers such as digital luxury, NFTs, virtual real estate, and AI-driven personalization. Students synthesize course insights to envision how luxury brands can balance heritage with innovation in an evolving global landscape.

Admissions

Applications for summer 2026 are now open. Apply here.

View the Undergraduate Summer Program in New York Terms and Conditions here.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition

$6,950 (Early Bird rate of $6,255 if application submitted by January 15)

Optional Accommodation

$3,950

Deposit

A $2,500 Tuition Deposit will be due upon acceptance of offer to hold your space in the program.

Optional Accommodation

A limited number of accommodation is available for students attending the program for an additional fee.

Accommodation in New York City consists of a space within a multi-occupancy room with a bathroom and access to shared facilities including kitchens and common areas. Sotheby’s Institute of Art’s anticipated summer housing partner is an internationally-renowned university in New York City, and students will be housed within their Manhattan accommodation within easy traveling distance to their classrooms.

More information regarding Summer 2026 accommodations is coming soon.

Location

Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York is located in the historic General Electric building, an art deco landmark in the heart of the city. Venture around the corner and visit world-renowned auction houses including Sotheby’s, where you’ll have access to stunning art collections, riveting auctions, and industry leaders at the forefront of today’s most exciting sales.

Syllabus

Download the sample syllabus for Summer Program: Luxury Business in New York City here.

Questions?

Contact our admissions team at studyabroad@sia.edu for more information.

You are also welcome to book a phone or video consultation with our admissions team to learn more about this program. Book Your Consultation Here.