Benton73

Sarah Wilson is one of the toughest professors at Courtauld. She is like a celebrity in the field and has a harsh reputation. If you don't have a strong art history methods and theory background you might struggle since you will receive very little support in that area especially from her or the institution. She has very very high expectations. However if you succeed under Wilson, it would open a lot of doors. I suggest you read a few of her writings before you decide so you know the quality she expects. She will cover China, but mostly Moscow Conceptualism. DM me and I can maybe show you the reading list. For the MA paper you get about 7 weeks to write 40 pages with little resources if the COVID situation continues. If you have been accepted to Courtauld I suggest contacting Wilson to discuss if your research is possible under her at the moment.

I just want to be honest about my experience. Courtauld's MA is cash grab- esppecially for international students. They will not offer any financial assistance. The methods course is not even a class, but rather just a professor reading their most recent paper. They don't even discuss the methods they use or teach you leading methods or have discussing. The whole year has been online, even though the rest of London universities are in person. They told international students only 1.5 weeks before the start of the semester the year will be online so most student had already signed housing contracts. They ended up closing the Library due to COVID which left student no access to resources or research. They told students just to deal with it and make due and pay for online access to journals themselves. They have extremely limited access to JSTOR. I ended up using my undergrad's library to get things. My professor suggested illegal websites to find articles and books (I know this is normal, but just show how little resources the university has). They completely closed campus for a while-- they tell campus is one reason why international student's tuition is so high, yet many of us have no access to it. They cancelled trips, which was expected because of COVID, but they won't return any tuition. The trips were advertised on the website as part of the program and they won't make it up to students or release the funds. They didn't lower any tuition, especially for students who are international and pay twice as much. I know many students who couldn't go to London this year and stayed home but are still paying twice as much. Additionally, their writing resources and other academic advising is only allowed to be access by student physically located in the UK. As an international student who couldn't move to London during COVID, I was told faculty couldn't assist me even though meetings were over Zoom because I was not physically in the UK and their contracts did no allow them to help students abroad- EVEN THOUGH COURTAULD ADVERTISES THESE RESOURCES. Overall there has been little to no support to international students. It is a cash grab and they just try to get rid of you soon as possible. However the positive is that the faculty is extremely talented and leading researchers in the world. But beyond that it has been a horrendous experience with little support.

What is a normal amount of debt you think is acceptable for MA/PhD in Art History? As we all know we won't be starting with 6 figures or anything close. I'm curious how much others are taking out and my financial anxiety is starting to set in.

Hey look at Courtauld! I was also accepted to GW, they are supportive, but don't help financially very much. I got the top funding from them and it only covers 1/3 of the cost... They are great but heavy focus on American and museum work. The faculty was the only school has actively recruited me which I loved. What are you wanting to focus on? I also graduated in Pol Sci (and 2 other majors) and not Art History was fine, but i did have a minor and did take art history classes so I think you will be fine.

That happens with a lot of Master's programs especially if they are section based even here in the US. I also learned a lot of schools in Europe and beyond are way less organized to what we expect here in the U.S. A couple schools I went to in Russia and France didn't even have a weekly schedule. Just how it is sadly. I'm sorry about deferral! But you could apply again! I just don't think Courtauld knows how to handle the situation since a lot of the teaching faculty changes so often

I've talked with Courtauld and I'm going to do my MA there next year (still waiting on scholarship info) and I'm also good friends with my professor. I really doubt they will let you defer. It is just how they set up their program. Especially if you are a foreign student. They don't allow deferments for a multitude of reasons. 1. it is a small program. 2. its highly competitive and if you defer that means they could loose a spot for a qualified student the next year. 3. Not every option is offered every year. Ultimately it will come down to your sections professor. If it is an option offered every year then you will have better luck, but if that teacher isn't teaching for sure next year, you won't have a class even to defer too. It also comes down to how badly that professor wants you in their class. This year they might be more willing to defer students due to the complicatedness and struggle for foreign students, but also I bet next year will be even more competitive to get in. Worst case you just have to ask and see what they say! Let me know because I'm curious on how they are handling that this year.

I e-mailed. They are "hoping" to send it out now before June 30th when the commitment deadline is. I presume they are trying to figure out if classes will be online or in person. I think they will have a serious funding problem if classes go all online because they will lose a lot of international students which provide most of their financial cushion. I think there is probably a big convo on if they should prioritize giving funding to international students this year or not. Because if you give an international student 6,000 scholarship they are still paying 18,000 which is 3x times more than the UK students where as a uk student would be paying 2,000 if they received a scholarship. I really doubt many international students will commit if it is all online and still the full price. It s starting to make me frustrated that everything gets pushed back so we can't make decisions and there has been a lack of communication.

I'm entering MA programs next year and it terrifies me. My top choice is Courtauld, which I may not be able to go with the borders being closed since I'm a foreigner... So I might has to go to my 2nd or 3rd choice. I want to enter a program next year because the 2021 fall will be SO competitive because I know a lot of people are holding off to enter a program. ITs a tough choicde for everyone.

I got into Beyond Utopia: New Geographies of Russian Art about 2 weeks ago!

The Marshall Scholarship and Fulbright are your best options. Otherwise not much funding for American students in Art History in the UK. They know its still cheaper for us than attending a lot of US schools... So they rarely giving out funding. Cambridge full tuition is still cheaper usually than Columbia for example. They know this and get money from students from abroad.

Here are the strike days: Thursday 20 and Friday 21 February Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 February Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 March Monday 9, Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March I doubt we will hear anything about acceptance or funding this week.

I am wondering if anyone has information on GWU's MA program or know if someone that has studied there. Is it prestigious?

Which option? But yayayay! So happy for you!

HI! I applied to 1) Beyond Utopia: New Geographies of Russian Art; 2) Collecting and Curating the Modern: European Art 1863-1930; 3)Global Conceptualism: The Last Avant-Garde or a New Beginning?I am wanting o focus on Modern and Russian Art so Courtauld is my top choice and I'm really hoping for good news! I haven't heard anything yet so hoping in the next two weeks! I applied to three other schools but Courtauld is what I am really wanting! I'm also following updates on a UK student forum here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6303764

Hello, I'm an American applying to both for a MA with a focus on Russian art. I've been in contact with faculty at both institutions, but wondering which one has a higher reputation in the UK and the art community. I work as a gallery associate right now and not sure if I will move to the museum side of the art world or stay working in the art market. I'm stuck between both institutions and wondering people's opinions.