The Courtauld Institute of Art

Founded by the politician Viscount Lee of Fareham, the industrialist Samuel Courtauld, and the lawyer Sir Robert Witt in 1932. Originally located in Portman Square, until the move to Somerset House in 1989. Currently celebrating its 75th anniversary.Location and Transport

The Institute and its Gallery are based in central London, close to many cultural institutions, theatres, cinemas, clubs and the West End. Somerset House is one of the most important neo-Classical buildings in the country. Central location within easy access of mainline stations, the underground and buses. The standard A-level offer for the BA History of Art in 2008 was AAB. Usual entry requirements for postgraduate courses is a good 2.1 (an overall average of 65%) in a relevant subject.

The 460 students enrolled in the academic year 2013/14 comprise:  Full-time degree courses. Full or part-time research. Many short courses and summer schools.  We received the highest rating in the recent Quality Assurance Agency Institutional Audit. All classes are taught in small groups which, means students get to know their teachers (and fellow students) very well.  We were awarded 5* in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. World-class academic staff. Alumni include distinguished art historians, novelists, artists and poets, art dealers, journalists and the heads of major museums and galleries. The book library provides access to a significant art historical collection at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The other libraries contain more than 200,000 slides, photographs, architectural drawings, sculpture and illuminated manuscripts. IT centre provides private study areas, computers, printing and scanning facilites, technical support, internet café and wireless internet access.

All students are invited to join the Student Union of the Institute and participate in its activities.

Students at the institute are also entitled to make use of the University of London Union in Malet Street. Facilities at ULU include a music venue, bars, café, shop and fitness centre, which includes a swimming pool. Students may participate in the wide variety of University of London sports teams and organizations. Recent/Prospective New Builds. The Institute is located in Somerset House, a spectacular and historically important Georgian building in the centre of London.