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. Download the Master’s prospectus.
Experiential learning Visits and international study trips are significant learning events, with the travel, seeing the art in situ and informal access to tutors serving to intensify the experience.
First-hand experience of luxury in different sectors Through site visits to specific retail stores and venues in the UK, including the Aston Martin factory; Fortnum & Mason; and The Coral Room, students can appreciate how luxury is created and experienced in different contexts.
Learning from the specialists The program features high profile academics, industry practitioners, and special guests, previously including Rebecca Robins (Interbrand); Gaia Rosetti (Belmond); Viviane Paraschiv (Farfetch); and Alex Gander.
Privileged access to the Art World With its links to Sotheby’s, MA in Luxury Business is the only MA in luxury that can offer original contents and specific expertise on the interaction between the arts and luxury.
Leadership and professional development opportunities The program also considers the future career path of the students by offering them workshops in leadership and professional development.
Program Leader, The Art of Luxury, London
Federica Carlotto has 10+ years’ experience in the analysis of material culture, and almost 10 years of expertise in knowledge transfer for Higher Education. Learn more...
Read MoreField 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. Field trips for MA in Luxury Business include: Milan and Paris, with site visits to Place Vendome, Palace of Versailles, Gallerie Dior, Gallerie-Musee Baccarat and Musee Yves St Laurent among other local destinations.
London is one of the global cultural and financial hubs for luxury as well as many creative and cultural sectors. The course offers the students the opportunity to visit the landmarks of British luxury as well as to engage with small artisanal players in the industry both within and outside of the classroom: Fortnum and Mason, Sotheby’s, Claridge’s, Aston Martin, Savile Row, Carréducker, The Coral Room, Maria Grachvogel, the V&A.
A Luxury Business student is interested in how luxury articulates across different sectors across global markets and in its relationship with other creative and cultural industries. With an inquisitive and daring mind, Luxury Business are those who seek to go beyond the conventional ways of understanding the luxury business as taught in more traditional business programs, but they are willing to push the boundaries to explore the future of luxury consumerism and its economic, social, and cultural impact.
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 four (occasionally five) 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.
September 2023 – October 2024
DEADLINES:
Note: Fees are subject to annual review
Home*
Semester 1: £13,000 (includes deposit of £3,000.00) plus travel fee (see below)
Semester 2: £12,500
Semester 3: £6,100
International
Semester 1: £16,000 (includes deposit of £3,000) plus travel fee (see below)
Semester 2: £15,500
Semester 3: £7,690
*Circumstances that may entitle you to a “home” fee status include:
Travel Fee: £3,100
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.
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.
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.
Download the Master’s degree prospectus for an in-depth look at the curriculum and what to expect this academic year.