2025 Courtauld Fund Leaders

TrinityBridge – for their lead gift in support of this campaign
Ambrose and Ann Appelbe Trust
Stuart Lochhead and Sophie Richard
John Wilson (PhD 1992; MA 1984) and Annasue McCleave Wilson
The Zena Trust

The Courtauld would also like to thank all those who wish to remain anonymous.

^{51��ݶ� Fund, a registered charity no. 288509.}

The Courtauld is also today publishing the findings of a new report by the Association for Art History on the status of art history teaching in UK secondary schools. The report found that:

• Over the past decade, the number of schools offering History of Art A-level has fallen by 34%, from 122 institutions in 2016 to��80��today.��
• Of the 80 institutions currently offering the A-level, only 19 are state or non-fee-paying schools.
• There is a significant disparity in geographic provision: within the UK, the subject is offered only in England, with courses concentrated in London and the Southeast, with the North and Southwest severely underrepresented.
• Despite fewer providers, student numbers have risen, with a 42% increase in A-level candidates between 2019 and 2025, reaching the highest levels since 2016.
• University enrolment in art history courses has remained stable, showing greater resilience than in some other arts and humanities subjects.
• Financial pressures threaten the continuation of some school-level History of Art programmes, potentially reversing the recent upward trend in student participation.

The Courtauld has announced��a commitment to��work��with national��education��and philanthropic��partners to��broaden access to art history for��secondary��school children��in the UK��in the lead-up to the opening of the new campus, building on Samuel Courtauld51��ݶ� founding vision of ‘art for all’.��This will enrich the Courtauld51��ݶ���existing��work��in��broadening��access to its collection and��teaching��for young people,��through programmes such as��its��summer university��and��schools��tours and��workshops.��

Supporting this drive to��increase��access, the Courtauld is creating a��new fund��that��aims to��dramatically increase the number of scholarships and bursaries it offers��to students. This��scholarship��fund will��break down the financial barriers that prevent��talented��young people��from��accessing the Courtauld51��ݶ� world-class teaching��and provide students with life-changing opportunities to advance their knowledge of the visual arts.��

Professor Mark Hallett,��Märit��Rausing Director of the Courtauld, said:  “We are thrilled to announce our plans for a world-class campus for the Courtauld, which will provide our students, staff and visitors with a beautiful and stimulating environment in which to learn about the visual arts.

The Courtauld is also deeply committed to opening up the understanding and appreciation of art to people of all ages and from all backgrounds. As part of this mission, we look forward to taking a leading role in expanding access to art history at school level in the UK. Art distils and explores the most profound forms of human experience, and we want to ensure that future generations of schoolchildren appreciate the extraordinary benefits of studying the history of art across different periods, including our own”.��

Stephen��Witherford, Director of��Witherford��Watson Mann Architects, said:��“Our work with the Courtauld has focused on transforming their relationship to the inherited rooms at Somerset House by reimagining the spatial relationships between their teaching, research, collections, and conservation work to radically enhance the collective experience of their students, staff, and audiences. This next phase of the project, delivered in collaboration with Purcell and Lawson Ward Studio Architects, will realise this vision across an expanded, open and more accessible campus.”

The new campus project is made possible through the recent visionary gift from the Reuben Foundation and the generous long-standing support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Additional transformational support is provided by the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation, the Clore Duffield Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Oak Foundation, The Julia Rausing Trust, Rothschild Foundation, Georgia and David Winter and the Wolfson Foundation. The Courtauld is most grateful to these foundational supporters, alongside others who have already committed to the redevelopment of our home at Somerset House.��

Entry requirements for students applying from Denmark

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

We will accept either:

• Award of the Studentereksamen with an overall average of 7 with high level subjects at 10,7,7
• Award of the Højere Forberedelseseksamen with an overall average of 7 with high level subjects at 10,7,7

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

• The award of Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution with a minimum of 7/12 or 7/13 overall
• Equivalent to a good 2:1 in a UK first degree

If your country51��ݶ� qualifications are not listed, please contact us at��international@courtauld.ac.uk��– we will be happy to provide a grade equivalency

English Language Requirements

• International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic / for UKVI) with an overall bandwidth of 7.0 or above, with no less than 6.5 in Reading and Writing (must be��taken within 2 years of the start of the programme)
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing
• Cambridge English C2 Proficiency: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing

Please visit the English Language Requirements page for more information and criteria, as well as further foreign language requirements.

Funding for Danish Applicants

Information on financial support for international students can be found here.

Fundraising.how

is an external organisation that provides comprehensive guides and articles on art scholarships and funding opportunities for Scandinavian students, offering detailed information on eligibility, application processes, and tips for success.

Please visit their website for further information.

Entry requirements for students applying from Norway

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

• Award of the Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole with an average of 4.3 in the common core subjects and grades 5,4 in two relevant final year subjects

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

• The award of a Bachelor’s degree (Bachelorgrad) from a recognised institution with a minimum of B overall.
• Equivalent to a good 2:1 in a UK first degree

If your country51��ݶ� qualifications are not listed, please contact us at international@courtauld.ac.uk – we will be happy to provide a grade equivalency.

English Language Requirements

• International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic / for UKVI) with an overall bandwidth of 7.0 or above, with no less than 6.5 in Reading and Writing (must be��taken within 2 years of the start of the programme)
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing
• Cambridge English C2 Proficiency: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing

Please visit the English Language Requirements page for more information and criteria, as well as further foreign language requirements.

Funding for Norwegian Applicants

Information on financial support for international students can be found��here.

Fundraising.how

��provides comprehensive guides and articles on art scholarships and funding opportunities for Scandinavian students, offering detailed information on eligibility, application processes, and tips for success.

Entry requirements for students applying from Sweden

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

• Award of the Fullstandigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasasieskolan /Avgangsbetyg with B in at least 1000 points, plus B or C in a further 1000 points to include B in relevant subjects

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

• The award of a Bachelor’s degree (Kandidatexamen) from a recognised institution with a minimum of BA /4 (5U scale) or B / Very Good (AF scale), or BA / Pass with Credit (UM scale) overall.
• Equivalent to a good 2:1 in a UK first degree.

If your country51��ݶ� qualifications are not listed, please contact us at international@courtauld.ac.uk – we will be happy to provide a grade equivalency.

English Language Requirements

• International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic / for UKVI) with an overall bandwidth of 7.0 or above, with no less than 6.5 in Reading and Writing (must be��taken within 2 years of the start of the programme)
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing
• Cambridge English C2 Proficiency: 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in Reading and Writing

Please visit the English Language Requirements page for more information and criteria, as well as further foreign language requirements.

Funding for Swedish Applicants

Information on financial support for international students can be found��here.

Fundraising.how

��provides comprehensive guides and articles on art scholarships and funding opportunities for Scandinavian students, offering detailed information on eligibility, application processes, and tips for success.

EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals

Students with Pre-Settled or Settled Status

If you hold a relevant status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) you will be able to continue to live, work and study in the UK without restrictions whilst you hold valid Pre-Settled/Settled Status.

Presuming you hold valid Pre-settled/Settled status, you will not be required to take any further action to regulate your immigration permission to be in the UK, though be aware that we will require evidence of your status at enrolment.

Full information on your rights as a Pre-Settled/Settled student can be found on the UKCISA . It is extremely important that you are familiar with the rules governing Pre-Settled and Settled Status so as not to forfeit your rights to live and study in the UK.

Applying for a Student Visa

Please consult the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for full information on the student route visa application process.

The process can be summarised as follows:
1. Receive an unconditional offer from The Courtauld, pay your deposit and (where applicable) submit all required financial and English language documents.
2. Receive your unique CAS letter (including CAS number) from the Courtauld.
3. Apply for the student route visa.

Unconditional Offer

Once you have met all conditions of your offer to study with us, paid your deposit and had your place on one of our courses confirmed, you will be made an unconditional offer to study at the Courtauld.

Please note that although an unconditional offer confirms you have met the academic requirements of your chosen course, it does not guarantee that you will be issued a CAS – this is a separate process that may require additional documentation, in line with the UKVI51��ݶ� requirements.

If you don’t meet the requirements for a CAS you will be unable to apply for a student route visa.

Academic conditions

Your offer email will include details of the academic conditions you must meet before we can consider your place as unconditional. Please ensure that you submit all required documentation to us by no later than 14th August. Without these documents we are unable to make you an unconditional offer or issue your CAS letter.

English language conditions

We may have asked you to prove your English language ability through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) as part of our offer conditions. These results should be submitted to the Courtauld once they have been achieved.

The UKVI may also ask to see evidence of your English language ability when you apply for your visa, so make sure your SELT results are available once you begin the application process.

Please note that the new IELTS Online test is not suitable for immigration purposes. If you intend to use an IELTS qualification to prove your English language ability, please ensure you register for the test.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once you have received an unconditional offer to study at the Courtauld, we will begin the process of issuing your CAS letter. As part of this process, we may ask you for further information that was not supplied as part of your application to our programmes.

Financial evidence

We may ask you to prove that you are able to afford the tuition fees for your course, and the living expenses to study in London. Please see the UKVI website for more information.

UKVI calculates the London living costs to be £1,483 per month for up to 9 months, totalling £13,347. This includes all costs; rent, food, transport and entertainment.

You will only need to show evidence of funds for your first year of study.

If you have already been in the UK on a visa for more than 1 year you do not need to provide financial evidence.

You may be asked to provide:

• Bank statements showing enough funds to cover living costs and tuition fees (excluding payments already made, i.e. your £1,000 deposit). These funds must be in account for 28 consecutive days, with end of this period being within 31 days of your visa application.
• The funds must be in an account that you have access to. Accounts that hold funds to a certain date (prior to your joining us) or don’t allow immediate withdrawals are not accepted.
• If the account is in your parent/legal guardian’s name, your birth certificate or official documentation confirming your relationship will be required. A letter from the account holder confirming that you have access to their funds for your study will also be required.

The UKVI may also ask to see proof of funds, so make sure your financial evidence is available once you begin the application process.

Please see the UKVI website for more information.

CAS number

Once all documents have been approved and you hold an unconditional offer, the Courtauld will issue a CAS letter including your CAS number.

You will need to include your CAS number in the application for your student visa.

CAS issuance typically commences from the month of May onwards, for that year’s respective intake.

Application Process

Applications must be made via the UKVI .

You can apply for your visa up to 6 months prior to the start of your course if you are applying from outside the UK, or up to 3 months if applying from inside the UK.

UKVI Checklist

As part of your application process, UKVI will ask for:

Passport:

• Should ideally be valid for entire duration of course.
• Must be valid for at least six months from the course start date. E.g. if your course starts in September 2026, the passport you use to apply for your visa must be valid until at least March 2027.
• You may be required to post to a visa office. The average turnaround time is 3 weeks but please check local guidance as this can vary. We recommend using��tracked/recorded delivery if posting your passport.

Visa application fee:

• The cost to apply for a student visa is £524.

Immigration health surcharge (IHS):

• The cost of the IHS is £776 per year.
• Entitles you to use the UK healthcare system (NHS).
• More information can be found .

SELT:

• If required, see exceptions .

Academic qualifications:

• You may need to show proof of the academic qualifications used to apply to the Courtauld.

Proof of finance:

• See CAS section above for the types of documents you may be asked to provide as part of your visa application.

Confirmation letter if financially sponsored:

• Proof of any educational loans you are receiving to study from an external body.
• Note: Courtauld scholarships do not count as sponsorship.

Letter from parents/guardians:

• If you are receiving financial support from parents/guardians, you may need to prove you have access to the required funds – see CAS section above.

Parent/guardian consent if under-18:

• A letter confirming you have the permission of your parent/guardian to study if you are under 18.

Tuberculosis test:

• Depending on the country you are from, or live/have lived in.
• This is subject to exceptions – please see the UKVI for a list of countries that require a tuberculosis test.

CAS:

• Issued by the Courtauld – see CAS section above for required documents.

Additional requirements

Biometric information

• You may be asked to visit a local visa office to have biometric information recorded.
• Staff may take a digital photograph of your face, scan your fingerprints, and ask you to provide a signature.

Additional ID photo

• You may be asked to provide an extra passport-style photo.

UKVI interview

• UKVI may ask you to attend a ‘spot check’ interview – this does not signify that there is an issue with your application.
• The purpose of the interview is to assess the genuineness of applicants, so the process usually involves questions about your immigration history, educational background, financial situation, and reasons for choosing the UK and your specific programme.

Key Deadlines

CAS issuance – commencing from May 2026.

Offer condition submission deadline – 14^th August 2026.

Welcome Week – TBC

Semester 1 – TBC

Graduate Visa (Post-Study)

Permission to stay under the Graduate route will enable international students to work or look for work after their studies for 2 years (18 months for those applying for a Graduate visa after 1 January 2027), or 3 years for PhD students. The work can be in any sector and at any level without any minimum salary requirements or the need for visa sponsorship.

Students studying on a Student visa will need to make an application in the UK to be granted permission under the route after successful completion of their degree. A Graduate Visa is not an entitlement for all students on a Student visa but students will need to become eligible to apply.

Please find the guidance on the UKCISA .

Useful Links

International Students – The Courtauld

Contact

International Office – international@courtauld.ac.uk

Teaching and programme structure

Semester 1

The first semester focuses on a number of key areas that establish the theory and principles of preventive conservation and introduce the practical and intellectual skills needed by students. The programme begins by tracing the history of preventive conservation, its emergence as a discrete field of study and practice, the definition of the now well-established ‘agents of deterioration’ at the core of current practice and considering the ethical framework surrounding conservation decision-making.

Students are introduced to a broad range of historical materials found in collections and their interaction with the various agents of deterioration, including how scientific and technical study can inform this understanding. Topics covered will embrace photo-documentation, instrumental analytical methods, materials testing and chemical tests, and include guidance on selecting the appropriate techniques for a particular situation.

An emphasis is also placed on practical monitoring methods of monitoring deterioration processes and the agents of deterioration. Teaching will describe each agent, how it can be monitored and its impacts assessed. Assessment will include a monitoring exercise that familiarises students with different types of datalogger and the interpretation of the data produced.

Students will begin learning research skills to aid their preparation for subsequent modules and their final dissertation.

Semester 2

Teaching in the second semester strengthens students’ knowledge of preventive conservation theory and materials in cultural heritage objects and will move into applying this knowledge in situations likely to be encountered in future roles in the sector. The consideration of the principles and theory of preventive conservation will examine its interaction with interventive conservation treatments and look at how to commission and use expert advice and surveys. Emphasis will be placed on working with other professionals to establish priorities by assessing condition, value and significance, as a way to help develop policies and strategies.

Working together in small groups, students will conduct an environment survey project, using pre-existing environmental and condition data to consider a case study and offer their recommendations. A site visit helps to place taught elements in the context of a building and collection and highlights the practicalities of designing and implementing preventive conservation measures and monitoring programmes.

The development of research skills in the second semester will focus on helping students prepare a proposal for their MA dissertation project. Students will have a series of one-to-one tutorials to support their thesis research and writing, including a tutorial to review a draft submission.

Summer

In the Summer students work independently on their dissertation research to produce an 8000-word thesis. During their course students will also complete 100 hours of conservation volunteering at one or more heritage organisation. They will reflect on this experience in a short piece of writing for assessment and produce a short video or audio piece.

Programme outcomes

Upon completion of the MA Preventive Conservation, you will have:

• A sound knowledge of underlying principles and practices in preventive conservation, the use of risk assessment to identify priorities and the ethical framework that surrounds decision making.
• The ability to describe the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of materials encountered in collections and sites, their likely behaviour in response to their environment and methods to avoid, minimise or mitigate damage.
• The knowledge and experience required to collect and analyse data in order to identify hazards to collections, and to plan and execute measurement programmes to detect and monitor environmental parameters in storage or display.
• Practical experience of working as part of a team to design and execute preventive conservation measures and monitoring in the field.
• Skills in communication, project management, risk management that allow you to be persuasive and effective when working with diverse stakeholders in your future careers.
• Intellectual and practical skills that prepare you for working in a wide range of roles and contexts, or for further academic study.

Entry requirements

UK qualifications: Successful applicants will normally hold a Bachelor51��ݶ� degree in either Fine Art, History of Art, or the Natural Sciences, and have achieved a good 2.1.

Overseas qualifications: Equivalent to a good 2.1 in a UK first degree (e.g. US applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above). Country-specific qualifications can be found��here.

Pre-Course Science: Students can apply to the course from either arts, humanities or science backgrounds, and all students will be asked to complete a pre-requisite online science course to prepare them for their studies.

English language requirements: If your first language is not English, we require proof of English language proficiency. If you are invited to the interview, it is recommended to submit your test results before the interview. If you are unable to do so, you will be asked to submit your test results no later than the acceptance deadline. Please see the English Language Requirements page.

Applications: Please see the How to Apply page for information.

Resources

The Conservation Department is equipped with extensive scientific laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities for the analysis of paintings and wall paintings. Both portable and bench-top equipment at the Department are available for teaching and research. The department houses major collections of easel painting samples, X-radiographs, wall painting fragments and wall painting samples from around the world, and the National Wall Painting Survey.

Students benefit from access to a wide range of research facilities at both the Institute and other parts of the University of London, as well as other major libraries nearby. Close collaboration with scientists and conservators in the national museums and heritage organisations offers further opportunities for training and research.

The Department is also closely linked with The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Art and Conservation at the Courtauld, and the specialist collection of literature on Asian art. Both the Conservation Department and the Ho Centre periodically hold conferences and public lectures in association with the Research Forum and museums and other institutions from outside the Courtauld, and benefit from contributions by 51��ݶ�ing Conservators. The department also acts as a centre for conservation and art-historical advice to outside conservators, scholars and the public.

Accessibility

The Conservation Teaching studios are in the West Wing of Somerset House, access to which is via the access-controlled doors on the Upper Terrace. For those not in possession of an Access/ID card there is an intercom connected to our 24/7 staff security control room. There is a temporary access ramp providing access into the West Wing which may not necessarily be suitable for use by, for example, wheelchair users. Thus, for those requiring level access into the Conservation Studios this can be facilitated via our main Gallery entrance between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00. The Conservation Department is located across five floors, Lower Ground Floor through to the Third Floor. The main access to each of the floors is via a staircase which is 90cm wide. There is within the department a lift which services the Lower Ground to Second Floors of the department. Access to the third floor, which houses the analytical laboratory, is via the staircase only.

Some teaching as well as the Library is at our Vernon Square premises near King51��ݶ� Cross. The Vernon Square premises are fully accessible, with two internal lifts servicing all floors. There is level access throughout the premises and thus into and out of all internal rooms. Access from the street into the premises is not level and there is small incline from street to the main entrance doors. There is ramped access into the premises. The main entrance doors into the premises operate automatically.