Christie's Education London

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to commonly asked questions

Christie’s Education Limited is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards. We offer a Master’s of Science degree (MSc) in Art, Law and Business, and a Master’s of Arts degree (MA) in Art History and Art World Practice.
We encourage prospective students to learn more about Christie’s Education and welcome participation in open evenings, information sessions or individual meetings. For further information visit christies.edu/london/meet-with-us

Prospective students and applicants are welcome to book an individual appointment with our Recruitment Officer, arrange a tour or sit in on a class. To visit Christie’s Education London before or during the application process, please schedule an appointment by emailing admissionsUK@christies.edu

Please note however there is limited or no access to certain areas of our Grade II* listed building for those with physical impairments. If you have additional requirements please contact us in advance of visiting.

Applications can be made online only by accessing the individual programme pages on our website christies.edu

Admission Requirements:

  • Completed application
  • A university degree, normally equivalent to a UK 2.1 degree-level
  • Applicants whose first language is not English should normally have IELTS 7
  • Applicants must also provide a 1,000 – 2,000 word writing sample on an art-related subject
  • CV/Résumé
  • Personal Statement (500 – 1,000 words)
  • Two academic references on institutional letterhead (or equivalent professional references for mature students)
  • Colour copy of passport photo page and previous UK visas if applicable
  • Paid Application Fee: £30

*For queries about international equivalencies of qualifications please email applicationsUK@christies.com.  We use NARIC to benchmark our equivalencies

Full details on the Recruitment and Admissions Policy and Procedure are available at christies.edu/london/policies-and-information

As a small institution places are limited. Applicants are advised to submit an application as soon as possible from October of the year before they wish to study

All communication will be via the student gateway. Once an application has been submitted you will also be able to track your application through the system

If you require a visa to study in the UK, we recommend you submit your application form by April of the year you intend to study. Applications will normally be acknowledged within three working days. It is advisable to apply as soon as possible if you require a visa or funding
 

Interviews are not mandatory at Christie’s Education London

Please note however there is limited or no access to certain areas of our Grade II* listed building for those with physical impairments.  Christie’s Education London will invite for interview and orientation any students presenting themselves as needing additional requirements

48 hours from receipt of ALL documentation (including references). Postgraduate applicants will hear the outcome of their application by email

All applicants who need a visa to study in the United Kingdom are required to evidence their English Language ability by submitting a UKVI IELTS certificate with an overall score of 7 with no individual component below 5.5. The exception to this is if you have completed a degree in an English speaking country. Please refer to the Recruitment and Admissions Procedure for a list of UKVI defined English Speaking countries at: christies.edu/london/policies-and-information

If you are an EU student that has not previously studied at degree level in the medium of English you will be required to evidence your English Language competency

Applicants must provide a 1,000-2,000 word writing sample on an art related subject. This should be written in an academic style with references. If you do not have a sample from your undergraduate course, you may visit a museum or exhibition of your choice and write a new sample relating to the degree for which you are applying

 

References can be academic or professional, or a combination of both. You should ask people familiar with your educational or professional background and abilities. Personal references will not be accepted

 

Components of applications can be sent separately as they are completed. However we will not make any decisions about admitting a student until all application materials are received

 

 

The Admissions team at either campus will provide assistance in filling out your application form

Please contact us on +44 (0)207 389 4350 or applicationsUK@christies.com

Yes, but you must apply separately to each programme. This means two separate application forms, two fees, two essays etc… Applications for each programme will be reviewed and decisions made with no consideration for the other application

You are welcome to apply to programmes at both locations.  Please note however your applications and supporting documents must be submitted separately for each programme at each location for which you apply. Admission decisions will not be shared or taken into consideration in the admissions decisions across campuses

Yes, after an applicant has formally accepted their offer, they may apply for a deferral to the next academic year in writing. However, you cannot transfer your deferred acceptance to another programme. If you wish to change to a programme at a different Christie’s Education location you will have to re-apply and where applicable re-interview for that location and programme

 

An applicant may appeal the admissions decision. Please refer to the Recruitment and Admissions Policy, Recruitment and Admissions Procedure, Admissions Complaints Procedure and Admissions Appeals Procedure, which can all be found in the Policies and Procedures section at christies.edu/london/policies-and-information

This will be automatically be available via the student gateway

 

Master's degree programmes fees for 2019-2020 are:

  • MSc Art, Law and Business: £36,000*
  • MA Art History and Art World Practice: £36,000*

*All fees include study trips in the UK and abroad.

Fees may be subject to change. If this were to happen you would be notified in a timely manner and presented with the options available.  For up-to-date information visit christies.edu/london/how-to-apply

A non-refundable deposit of 5% of the first years fees is payable when offered a place on postgraduate programmes as well as the part-time courses. The balance of the fee is payable by 1 September of the relevant academic year. Installment plans are available upon request. These will incur an additional administration fee and need to be agreed by 1 September. Payment may be made via the application portal. Please note that all locations are subject to change and dates will be confirmed at the start of your programme

 

Some students may be eligible for a UK Postgraduate Master's loan, to find out more visit gov.uk/masters-loan

Christie’s Education offers a variety of support who need financial assistance, visit christies.edu/london/scholarships-financial-aid for up-to-date information

Unfortunately we currently do not offer scholarships for certificate, part-time or short courses at Christie's Education

Yes, all applicants are welcome to apply to all scholarships

 

Christie’s Education is licensed to sponsor students under Tier 4 of the points based system. If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you will be sent a Tier 4 visa information pack in June of the year in which you hope to commence your studies. Subject to meeting the Tier 4 eligibility criteria Christie's Education will issue your CAS number from mid-June. With this number, you will be able to apply for your student visa. Please visit the UKVI website for information on the visa application process.

Please note that obtaining a visa is the sole responsibility of the student. Please ensure you apply for your visa in good time for the start of your programme

Christie's Education does not have its own accommodation. However, we do provide a list of accommodation options which is sent out to all incoming students in their Pre-arrival and Welcome Pack. Visit: christies.edu/london/studying-in-london for further information.


Weekly schedules vary by programme and term. For scheduling questions and sample schedules please contact us by emailing london@christies.edu

All policies can be found in the https://www.christies.edu/london/policies-and-information section.
Yes. Christie’s Education has its own Library based within the Learning Resources Centre (LRC) in the basement of the building. It is a small library of over 20,000 volumes which provides a wide range of art historical material as well as core Art, Law and Business texts. In addition to this, students also get membership to the library at University College London which complements the course.
The LRC has three professional and friendly staff members on hand to give students organised group inductions and one-to-one support with Library, research and IT skills. There is a structured programme of information literacy and research skills training sessions.
The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) includes the Library, Study Room, and a combined Study and IT Space. 
The Library has over 20,000 books; and subscribes to more than 30 current journal titles. The Library collection also includes exhibition and sale catalogues, as well as access to electronic journals and databases.
Yes, you can access the Christie’s Education Library catalogue online or via the dedicated catalogue terminals.
Students have access to  a broad range of digital sources including full text journal databases such as JSTOR, Art & Architecture Source (EBSCO) and Art, Design & Architecture Collection (ProQuest). In addition, students have access to specialist art business databases such as Artnet and Art Sales Index as well as Christie’s in-house sales database Lotfinder. The library also subscribes to a range of business and legal databases, a wide range of cross subject e-book collections and reference sources such as Oxford Art Online.
Students may borrow up to 4 books at a time from the Christie’s Education Library. Short course and alumni users cannot borrow books; they have access to the library on a reference only basis.
Yes. There are 12 networked PC workstations in the IT Suite. Each student is given their own PC login at the beginning of the academic year. Free scanning is available using the colour photocopiers. There are power sockets for laptops in both the Reading Room & IT Suite.
Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the Christie’s Education building. You need to go to the AV/IT Helpdesk to sign the Code of Conduct before use.
There are colour printers/photocopiers available for student use. The account details for printing from the PCs and photocopying is the same as your computer login.
Yes. All students are eligible to apply for reference access to key public research libraries such as the British Library, National Art Library (Victoria & Albert Museum) and Tate Library & Archive.  In addition to this, students also get membership to the library at University College London and library staff can help facilitate last resort access to other important research collections.
You can contact the Library using the general email LRCdesk@christies.edu and they will be happy to answer any further questions you might have.
Yes. Alumni of Christie’s Education still have access to the Library but on a reference only basis (ie. borrowing of the books is no longer available to ensure that they remain available as a priority for our current students). This can be particularly helpful for figuring out your next career move or study step. 

Career and professional development services are offered to all of our Master’s students and are designed to complement your chosen course of study. Our Career Services Officers strive to provide students with the necessary skills and exciting opportunities to find a meaningful career following graduation. We encourage a proactive approach, with students building connections and developing their networks while studying with us which eases their transition into employment.

The Professional Development Programme provides students with a series of sessions where art world professionals are invited to offer insight into their careers, share industry-specific advice and explain the importance of transferrable skills to the students. Students have unparalleled access to professionals across the full breath of the art world: auction house representatives, gallerists, collectors, arts journalists, museum and public sector professionals, art fair representatives, art advisors, and dealers.

The Programme also provides students with workshops to develop skills in networking, CV and cover letter writing and interview technique. Christie’s HR also provide students with the opportunity to attend a mock interview with one of Christie’s recruitment professionals.

We offer a wide range of short courses in London, New York and Hong Kong. To find out what our current and upcoming short courses are available please visit the Continuing Education section.
Short courses do not require an application. To reserve your place, please fill out an online registration form and pay the course fee online - both available through each individual course page. Alternatively, you can email us at shortcoursesuk@christies.edu or call our office on +44 (0)207 389 2025 and we can take your payment over the telephone. View our short courses offering in London.

There are a number of payment options open to you. The most convenient method is the payment online via our applications portal. The registration link is attached to the individual short course page. You may also make a payment over the telephone by contacting our office directly on +44 (0)207 389 2025. If you would like to pay by bank transfer, please contact our office on the number above or email shortcoursesuk@christies.edu and we can send the details over to you. 

The number of participants vary depending on the course however many of the courses fill up quickly. We recommend you register for our short courses early to secure your place.
Unless otherwise noted, all short courses will take place at Christie’s Education, 42 Portland Place, London W1B 1NB. Most of our short courses include a combination of lectures and field studies to galleries, museums and current exhibitions around London.
Christie's Education does not normally provide a certificate at the end of your course unless you have enrolled and completed one of our full certificate courses. In other instances, we can provide you with a letter of attendance.

Please note our booking terms and conditions:

Terms and Conditions:
Fees must be paid in full at the time of enrolment. Enrolment is on a strictly first come first served basis. It is not possible to replace individual sessions that you are unable to attend with sessions on a future course. Christie's Education reserves the right to alter the content and dates of all courses and to cancel advertised courses as a result of circumstances beyond its control. Notice of course cancellation will be received two weeks prior to the course starting date. Should any student who has enrolled on a course find that they need to withdraw or transfer to a different course, please see below the details of the notice required for refunds and transfers.

More than 14 days before the start of the course 
Withdrawal: 90% refund of course fee
Transfer: Administration fee equal to 10% of the course fee

14 days or less before the start of the course 
Withdrawal: No refund
Transfer: No refund of original course fee; fee for new course payable in full

After the start of the course 
Withdrawal: No refund
Transfer: No refund of original course fee; fee for new course payable in full

All students will be provided with the required information for the short courses. We recommend you bring a pen and paper to take notes for the lecture part of the course.

Due to the cyclic structure of the certificate courses, if you miss a module during one cycle, you can pick it up in the following sequence of modules. Please contact the short course coordinator at our London campus to find out more information:+44 (0)20 7389 2025  or email shortcoursesuk@christies.edu

The Library, in the Learning Resources Centre (LRC) at Christie’s Education, is open to short course students to use for reference only during the course duration. Short course students must sign the Library Register when they enter the LRC. Credit for photocopying is available to purchase from the LRC Desk.