Master’s Degree

MA in Luxury Business

Apply Request Info
Date
Fall 2025
Duration
1+ Year
Location
London
Program
Master’s Degree
Mode of Learning
In-Person
Language
English
Topic
Luxury
Contact Admissions

+44 (0)20 7462 3232 admissions@sia.edu

Cultivate an in-depth awareness of the ever-changing business of luxury and its cultural settings. 

Luxury isn’t what it used to be. Shifts in consumer values, buying power, access, and technology are shaping an innovative and dynamic luxury market. The Sotheby’s Institute MA in Luxury Business examines this sophisticated industry as it is diversifying and expanding, and explores synergies with other industries and cultural landscapes, such as the art world. The program also responds to a more general trend in the high-end cultural and creative industry to synergize, break barriers, and find original ways of engaging with markets and audiences on a wider scale. MA in Luxury Business uniquely develops a customer-centric perspective on luxury, including elements of design thinking and experience design. 

Students will examine luxury’s social, historical, and cultural evolution. They will critically reflect on how luxury businesses deliver value to their markets through specific branding and marketing strategies. They will become familiar with the sectors of the industry and its players, and with the financial, legal, and strategic elements of business management in luxury. They will also consider intersections with other high-value cultural industries, particularly art. Graduates of this program will contribute to a growing area of expertise in the global luxury market and will be proficient in navigating both the business and the creative side of the field. 

Highlights

Cultural Context

The program delves deep into the cultural, historical, and creative dimensions of luxury, fostering a nuanced understanding that sets graduates apart in the industry.

Experiential Learning

International study trips and visits are significant learning events, where travel, experiencing art in situ, and informal access to tutors come together to create an immersive and enriching experience.

First-hand Insight

Site visits to key UK retail stores and venues, including the Aston Martin factory, Fortnum & Mason, and The Coral Room, help students understand how luxury is created and experienced in different contexts.

Next Steps

Faculty

Programme Director, MA Luxury Business

Instagram Website

Federica Carlotto has 10+ years’ experience in the analysis of material culture and knowledge transfer for Higher Education. Federica has appeared as a guest speaker at conferences and workshops in Italy, UK, France, Australia, Canada, and Japan on topics such as: consumption and creation of social identity; luxury trends; place branding and luxury products; the concept of luxury; cross-cultural issues in clothing (focus on Japan and Asia); social and anthropological history of costume and fashion

Learn More
Instagram Website
Learn More
Featured

Field Study

Field study is a hallmark of the master's programs, taking graduate students around the globe to explore established and emerging markets during key events and with an itinerary ranging from art fairs to visits to artist studios and private collections.

“I loved how the MA Luxury Business program covered a wide range of luxury sectors—from hospitality and jewelry to fashion and art—and explored the evolving definition of luxury across cultures and time periods. Being in London enhanced the experience, as the city itself is a global hub for art, fashion, and luxury.” — Karla Akpinar ’24

Details

Academic Structure

The Master’s degree is awarded for 120 taught credits across two semesters, as well as the completion of a 60-credit dissertation over the course of an additional semester.

The first two semesters are intensively taught on three days per week. During the program, specialist electives can be chosen from across all Institute Master’s programs, allowing a student to build a personalized Master’s profile. Students take two 15-credit electives across a variety of offerings for deeper expertise or to develop specialties.

The three units for this program are Luxury in Context: introduces the students to the concept of luxury and its historical development, The Luxury Market: explores consumer behavior in luxury, and Managing a Luxury Business: emphasizes the structure and operations of the luxury business.

View required courses and electives here.

Tuition and Fees

Note: Fees are subject to annual review

Home*

Total Programme Fee: £31,600 (includes deposit of £3,000.00) plus travel fee (see below)

International 

Total Programme Fee: £40,769 (includes deposit of £3,000) plus travel fee (see below)

*Circumstances that may entitle you to a “home” fee status include:

  • you have settled or pre-settled status under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme
  • you are from the Republic of Ireland and living in the UK prior to December 31, 2020
  • you are British but live in the EU
  • you hold dual citizenship with the UK and live in the UK

Travel Fee: £3,900

Travel fees are mandatory. They cover all mandatory study trips outside of London, including transportation from the departure hub (airport or train station) to the destination, and all transportation, entry tickets and 3 or 4 star accommodation at the destination during the trip. Where the accommodation includes breakfast, this is covered by the fee. Otherwise all expenses for meals and other costs are the responsibility of the student.

Frequently Asked Questions

From visa information for international students to course credits, find answers on our FAQ page. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, contact an Admissions counselor.

Student Policies

Explore our library of academic and campus policies here. All students who enroll for graduate study must agree to the Terms and Conditions upon accepting their offer of admittance.

Enterprise Studio

The Enterprise Studio was created as an extra-curricular program for Master’s students to receive training and support for new business ventures, culminating in a start-up pitch competition, the Gavel. Through close access to mentors, students have the chance to shape their plans from ideation to execution with the winning Gavel team receiving significant seed funding for their future business.

Student Spotlight

For Karla Akpinar, the MA Luxury Business program at Sotheby’s Institute of Art was a springboard into the multifaceted world of luxury. Her work placement at Fenwick offered the opportunity to transform classroom insights into real-world brand storytelling, deepening her passion for hospitality and the luxury consumer experience.

Read More

Related Courses

Thank You!

We'll be in touch soon.
For immediate assistance email us.