Programme details

  • Next start date: Sep 2025
  • Study: Full-time
  • Duration: 1 year

Overview

Explore the drivers of today’s global art markets.

Developed in collaboration with esteemed art market experts, this course explores the art world and the various factors and players that drive this dynamic sector. You’ll benefit from practical, case-study based learning, seminars led by professionals currently working in the field, and exclusive guided visits to art fairs, museums and commercial galleries.

To allow for more attention, support and guidance, this course is only accepting 15 students. We therefore strongly encourage early application.

Join our webinar on Thursday 23 January to learn more!

Global Art Markets course overview

Why Regent’s?

  • Small class sizes: max. 15 students, enabling individual support and guidance
  • Led by industry experts: gain unique insights and networking opportunities
  • Prime location: access to London's galleries, auction houses and private collections 
  • International connections: forge global relationships with influential professionals 
  • Practical training: hands-on training in renowned venues from the very start
  • In-market placement: receive a Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice
  • Inclusive study trips: explore international art hubs in Europe and beyond

What to expect

The global art market is estimated to be worth $65 billion in sales (Global Art Market Report 2024). This unique marketplace includes exceptional objects, expert players and specialist online and in-person transactional platforms – all of which you will examine and, at times, challenge on this course.

Exploring topics such as business practice, pricing and valuations, future trends and global impact, you’ll learn the drivers of today’s dynamic markets and analyse the commercial, aesthetic and cultural value of collectables being traded today – as well as the complex legal and tax implications of such intricate transactions.

Learning in small classes, you’ll network with peers, review current case studies, visit galleries and museums, meet art market experts and access sector events and resources. In your third term, you’ll undertake a professional placement in the art world, deepening your understanding of the market and gaining valuable real-world experiences while expanding your network. Upon graduation, you'll receive an additional Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice.

London-centric learning

London sits at the heart of the global art market and provides the perfect backdrop for this course. It’s vibrant, exciting and everchanging – fusing classic with contemporary, edgy with eclectic.

Here, you’ll be fully immersed in the scene – attending an unrivalled calendar of events and exploring some of the city’s best exhibitions, private collections, auction houses and galleries. On your doorstep is Regent’s Park, the iconic venue of leading art fairs Frieze and Frieze Masters. You’ll gain access, join guided tours, and meet influential dealers, collectors, curators and advisors. 

International opportunities

As part of your studies, you’ll join two inclusive trips – one in Europe and one further afield. You’ll visit fairs, auction houses and galleries, and meet local collectors and dealers – noting their attitudes towards art transactions and how they compare to those in London. You might visit Art Basel in Switzerland, the TEFEF Art Fair in Maastricht, international Biennales and exhibitions such as those in Venice or Sydney, or explore private collections and emerging museums in the Middle East, America or Asia.

A tailored experience

We do all we can to support you at every stage – and put you in the driving seat, shaping your education from day one:

  • Your own support officer: receive tailored advice and support when needed
  • Academic guidance: regular one-to-one sessions and a unique open door policy

Course is subject to validation.

How to apply

Applying to Regent's is quick and easy. We accept direct applications year-round and there's no application fee. If you haven't received your exam results, you can still apply and we'll issue you with a conditional offer. You just need be clear in your application which qualifications you're currently studying for.

Step 1: Apply

During the application process, you'll have the chance to upload supporting documents, including:

  • A copy of your passport (photograph ID page)
  • Academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies
  • A 500-700 word personal statement (view guidance)
  • If you're not a native English speaker, proof of your English proficiency
  • Your current CV
  • Two headed reference letters

Please note, application deadlines are:

  • International students – 1 July 2025
  • Domestic students – 31 July 2025

Step 2: Receive a response

In addition to meeting our academic and English language requirements, this course also requires you to pass an interview. Once you've applied and submitted your supporting documents, and we've assessed your eligibility, successful candidates will be invited, and can choose to attend in person or online.

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within five working days.

Step 3: Accept your offer

If you wish to accept your offer, you must pay your (non-refundable) advance tuition fee deposit. This will confirm your place. Here's how.

Step 4: Register 

Closer to the start of term, our Admissions team will send instructions regarding your registration process. This will include information on completing your online enrolment before you arrive, as well as a checklist of documents you'll need to bring with you to campus.

Information for international students

If you're an overseas student, you'll likely require a visa to study in the UK. Here's how to apply.

Scholarships and funding

There are a wide variety of funding and scholarship opportunities to help you finance your studies. For more information, please visit our scholarships and funding page.

Fees

Tuition fee: 

  • £39,000 for the intake starting in September 2025

Non-refundable advance deposit:

UK students: £1,000
International students: £4,000

Read more about tuition fees.

If you receive an offer for a course, you’ll receive a pro forma invoice. To accept your offer and secure your place, pay your deposit payment as soon as possible.

The remaining portion of your first year’s tuition fees will be due when you enrol. At this time, you’ll receive your invoice for the full year. You can choose to pay for the year in full before the start of your first academic year or in two instalments, spread out across the academic year. The dates of these instalments will be determined by when your course starts.

What do fees include?

Fees cover the cost of all tuition and access to the University’s IT infrastructure and library learning resources. Fees are presented for the first level of study which equates to two terms. 

What other costs should I budget for?

You will need to budget additional funds for accommodation and living expenses, travel, and any additional trips, visits, activities or courses that you choose to participate in outside of the tuition offered as part of your course.

The library holds a limited number of copies of core textbooks and where possible in e-format. You will be encouraged to purchase your own textbooks and will need to budget approximately £80-£100 per year, depending on your course.

How you'll learn

At Regent's you’ll have the freedom to explore your interests in a supportive and nurturing environment with interactive classes, regular one-to-one contact with tutors, specialist facilities, industry opportunities and tailored careers advice – ensuring you develop the skills, experience and confidence you need to succeed.

We use active and collaborative learning effectively and creatively, meaning you’ll always learn by doing – from taking part in practical labs and creative workshops to engaging with industry experts. It’s an experiential and experimental approach that presents you with real challenges – facilitating teamwork, entrepreneurship and use of technology to learn about compelling issues, propose solutions to real problems and take actions.

You'll study in a collaborative environment, with your finger on the pulse of today’s art market, with opportunities to develop your own personal network as you navigate your professional path within today’s everchanging art world.  

Based in London, you'll have opportunities to meet future employers and art market professionals through guest speakers, gallery visits, private events and study trips abroad – giving you insights into the art world and enabling you to put theory into practice. 

Modes of teaching:  

You'll learn the fundamental skills necessary to succeed as an art market professional, participating in activities including:

  • Seminars led by art market experts
  • Curated visits to galleries, museums, auction houses and leading art fairs
  • Group projects focused on researching and reporting on current art market trends  
  • Case study-led legal seminars
  • Object identification sessions
  • In-depth analysis of art market and market segments reports

As you progress, you'll be given greater autonomy to explore (within a defined set of assessment briefs) the relationship between business, law and connoisseurship in today’s global art market.

Contact hours

  • Term one – 15 hours per week
  • Term two – 14 hours per week
  • Placement term – 24 hours per term
  • Final Major Project term – 26 hours per term

Teaching staff

You'll be taught by a variety of industry leaders and research-active academics with considerable knowledge and experience of global art markets, and connections within the industry. Their knowledge and experience ensure your classes are shaped by the most current industry practices. They include:

Giovanni Gasparini  

Giovanni Gasparini is an art advisor at Altiqa, a Monegasque-Swiss firm, where he leverages his extensive expertise in managing art and passion assets, honed through years of experience in London's auction houses. He is a longstanding contributor to ArtEconomy24, part of Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy's leading financial newspaper, where he offers insights on the global art and collectibles markets, with a particular focus on classic cars.

In addition, Giovanni contributes to Barche Magazine, a monthly publication dedicated to the yachting industry. His teaching experience includes founding and directing the MSc in Art, Law & Business at Christie's Education in London, as well as lecturing at Bocconi University in Milan, where he earned his degree in Economics. He also holds an MA in Art Business from the University of Manchester.

Laura Uccello  

Laura Uccello brings a decade of experience in working on cultural partnerships between global brands and leading cultural organisations in London and globally. After earning her MSc in Art, Law & Business from Christie’s Education in 2015, she has held strategic roles in corporate partnerships at Christie's, Saatchi Gallery, and most recently, The National Gallery. In recognition of her achievements, Laura was named on Walpole’s 2023 Power List, highlighting her extensive contributions to building luxury brand collaborations with cultural institutions.

Julia Weiner

Julia Weiner is an art and design historian with extensive experience of teaching across various museums and galleries. She has worked in this field for over 20 years and has been teaching a range of courses – on topics ranging from Early Renaissance Art and Society to Art in the Age of Revolution - at Regent's University London since 2008.  

Julia previously held positions at the Courtauld Gallery and Victoria & Albert Museum, as well as acting as a consultant for the British Museum and the National Trust. For nearly 30 years, she was the art critic for the Jewish Chronicle. In addition, she works as a freelance curator and has been a visiting lecturer at New York University London, Florida State University London and others.

You'll also be allocated a personal tutor, who'll meet you on a one-to-one basis at various stages throughout the year to provide you with guidance and advice to support your personal and professional development.

We're very proud of the global nature of our University and our tutors also reflect this ethos – coming from a wide variety of countries and cultures across the world. In every way, you'll feel part of a genuine global family.

Independent learning

Throughout the course, you'll be expected to undertake extra reading, research, revision and reflection, as well as preparing work for workshops, and working collaboratively with other students in preparation for assessment.

Method of assessment

Your skills and knowledge will be assessed via a wide range of task-based challenges, market reports, presentations, journals and written essays – as well as oral examinations in which you'll discuss topics you've explored in your modules. It's important to us that your learning and assessment is:

  • Inclusive – fostering a student-focused approach
  • Engaging – encouraging interaction and participation
  • Authentic – based on real business challenges

All assessments require you to think commercially, critically and creatively. You'll learn visual, critical, historical and research skills, as well as communication, teamwork, diligence, autonomy, time management and personal initiative.

Disability support

We welcome and support students with a wide range of disabilities and health concerns, including learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments, mental health difficulties, autism conditions, mobility difficulties and temporary or chronic health conditions.

Our Student support team is here to help and advise you. We ask that you speak with us as early as possible to enable us to support you.

Academic requirements: Level 7

We're interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements – and we review each application comprehensively on its own merit. You'll need the following qualifications:

  • Minimum second class UK undergraduate degree
  • OR equivalent international qualifications deemed acceptable by Admissions & UK ENIC
  • Your current CV
  • Two headed reference letters

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning

We also welcome applications from students who don't meet our usual entry requirements. To be accepted for exceptional entry, you must:

  • Have three years of work experience if you don't hold a degree

In addition to providing us with your passport, transcripts, proof of English, personal statement and references, you'll need to send us:

  • A headed employment letter detailing your position and length of service

This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, by academic referral only.

English language requirements 

Minimum English proficiency requirement through one of the following qualifications (or equivalent):

QualificationSubjectGrade
GSCE*EnglishC (4)
IB SL or HL*English A4
IB HL*English B5
US HSD (studied in a majority English-speaking country)*Grade 11 and above in EnglishC
IELTS*AcademicOverall score of 6.5, with 5.5 or above in each component
UG degreeFrom English-speaking countries – defined by the UKVISecond class

Please note, we do not accept home/online editions of English language tests.

*Qualification satisfies the English language requirements of the UKVI for non-UK/Irish nationals.

We also offer conditional students a free, online diagnostic test known as the Regent’s English Proficiency Test (REPT). This must be booked in advance. Discover more.

Interview

In addition to meeting our academic and English language requirements, this course also requires you to pass an interview. Once you've applied and submitted your supporting documents, and we've assessed your eligibility, successful candidates will be invited, and can choose to attend in person or online.

To allow for more attention, support and guidance, this course is only accepting 15 students. We strongly encourage early application. In the event that all places are filled, a waitlist will be operating.

Careers

You'll graduate ready to enter the competitive and highly selective art market – in London and across the world. Career paths include:

  • Art advisors
  • Auction house specialists 
  • Auctioneers 
  • Gallery researchers  
  • Gallery sales managers 
  • Art lawyers 
  • Collection managers 
  • Development and Philanthropy managers 
  • Event managers 
  • Logistics specialists
  • Entrepreneurship, make your own mark in the art world.

The art world fosters innovation and entrepreneurship – from launching new galleries, apps and advisory panels to publishing books, blogs and podcasts. Our Innovation Lab is a space dedicated to helping students develop their own ideas alongside industry players.

Regent’s alumni have been recruited by some of the biggest names in the business:

  • Guggenheim  
  • Christie’s  
  • MoMA
  • Gagosian  
  • Arte East
  • Art Tactic 

Graduate visa

After you've completed your course, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa. This enables you to work, or look for work, in the UK for up to two years after you leave Regent's, without the pressure of having to secure a job immediately – applying your skills and advancing your career with valuable experiences and industry connections.

Careers support

Throughout the MA, you'll be closely supported to navigate careers in the art world. The placement component is very important, giving you networking opportunities, experience in the field and potential job opportunities upon graduation.

Don't worry if you feel overwhelmed – our Careers, Enterprise and Industry team are here to provide personalised advice and access to resources for life!

  • 24/7 access to online guidance and resources
  • Exclusive internships, networking opportunities and industry events
  • Personalised consultations – from interview and CV prep to business advice
  • Access to Handshake, connecting you with 650k+ global employers

Influential alumni

Sultan Sooud Al-Quassem founded the Barjeel Art Foundation – an independent initiative established in 2010 to contribute to the intellectual development of the art scene in the Arab region.

Giovanna Traversa co-founded Hatch – a curated platform that supports and promotes emerging artists across non-traditional settings – in 2022, after working for Guggenheim Museum and MoMA.

Olivia Farhat is a Founding Partner at LAS Art, an independent art advisory firm in New York, as well as a Project Manager for Art for Beirut and an Advisor to the Board at ArteEast.

This is a full-time course, comprising four terms of study.

View your academic calendar.

Please note, all Special Elective modules are subject to availability.

MA Global Art Markets

Term 1

Module title
Art Business The global art market is estimated to be worth $65 billion in sales (Global Art Market Report 2024) and has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels. This unique marketplace includes expert players, exceptional objects and unique online and in-person transactional platforms which you will analyse and challenge within this module.

Key topics explored will include market segmentation, valuation, pricing strategies, benchmarking and global and local trends. You'll also explore how to forecast new markets and segments. Within each of these topics, you'll analyse the roles and responsibilities of the key players transacting globally, in person and online, including collectors, auction houses, commercial galleries and dealers. This module will be based on case study learning with the participation of guest lecturers to provide you with additional perspectives and networking opportunities. You'll also gain special access to art fairs, auction houses and galleries to experience first-hand the vibrancy of today’s art market.
Introducing Object Identification: Antiquities to 20th Century What gives art its value? In Introducing Object Identification, you will study art and collectibles as objects that have been traded over the centuries and around the world. Led by art historians together with market experts, you will examine the cultural contexts, provenance, condition and artistic relevance of art and collectibles that are traded today. The aim of the module is for you to develop a deep understanding of the key drivers for art and collectibles to be in circulation, and to explore how each movement in ownership has a direct impact on an object’s value – from the artist’s studio to the walls of leading museums or private collections.
Professional Perspectives This module will help you to define and develop your professional identity and build career objectives. You'll explore the skills you need to succeed in the contemporary workplaces (including large organisations and start-ups), explore professional communications, project management, collaboration, entrepreneurial and creative thinking, active personal and professional reflection. You’ll also learn strategies for how to plan your career, aware that concepts of work will become increasingly more fluid as time goes on.

Term 2

Module title
Consolidating Object Identification: Contemporary and Collectables This module follows on from Introducing Object Identification. You'll explore key trading categories, ranging from Old Masters to leading 20th century art movements (including Impressionism, Modern and Post War and Contemporary art) and examine various collectibles, from established categories, including jewellery and watches, classic cars, decorative arts and historical artefacts, to emerging competitive categories including luxury items.

From landmark cases to new technologies, this module will explore the legal frameworks and arbitration practices surrounding the art market in the UK and across leading jurisdictions abroad. You'll gain an awareness of the ethical and legal implications involved in transacting in art and collectibles, and you'll be exposed to contract, intellectual property and insurance law – exploring cases that involve restitution, forgeries and fraud, compliance, agency representation and resale rights.

You'll also study the implications that new technologies could have on the way authenticity and provenance are protected for art and collectibles. Leading art law experts and practitioners will encourage you to debate decisions on recent cases and develop analytical skills to identify factors that may impact your future transactions.
Study Trips On your study trips, you'll gain awareness of different attitudes towards the commercialisation of art and how these compare to London as an international hub. During these two inclusive trips, you'll visit local art fairs, auction houses and commercial galleries while also meeting with local collectors and dealers. You'll also be immersed in the local culture and visit private foundations and museums to gain a full understanding of the local art scene within this particular market.

Trips may include visits to events such as Art Basel in Switzerland, TEFAF in Maastricht and Biennales in Venice and Sydney – as well as emerging art museums in the Middle East, Asia and America. In the field, you'll conduct research and complete tasks that will culminate in several site-specific reports. Your report will focus on fostering critical thinking and encourage you to express your critical observations, reflections and experiences.
Art Markets and Transactions From landmark cases to new technologies, this module will explore the legal frameworks and arbitration practices surrounding the art market in the UK and across leading jurisdictions abroad. You will gain an awareness of the ethical and legal implications involved in transacting in art and collectibles today. You will be exposed to contract, intellectual property and insurance law, and explore cases that involve restitution, forgeries and fraud, compliance, agency representation and resale rights.

You will also study the implications that new technologies, could have on the way authenticity and provenance are protected for art and collectibles. Leading art law experts and practitioners will encourage you to debate decisions on recent cases and develop analytical skills to identify factors that may impact your future transactions.

Term 3

Module title
Placement In this module, you'll work in the art market – gaining real-world experience, valuable insights and building your networks as you prepare for your career after graduation. The work is intended to challenge you, while providing the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills that you have developed during your degree. You'll acquire new knowledge, ideas and cultural awareness, and gain teamwork experience and specialist professional skills you’ll use throughout your career. Through the module, you'll be supported by a placement tutor, who you'll meet with regularly, alongside other students, to reflect upon your placement experiences.

Term 4

Module title
Final Major Project The Final Major Project is the culmination of your master’s course. You'll integrate and apply the knowledge, experiences and thinking you've developed to a project that you conceive and design. Your project should ideally be focused on your next professional steps – it can form part of your portfolio as you move towards work, further study or setting up a new business. It may be based on conducting research, solving a practical problem, or creating an artefact – or it may be a combination of all three. Whichever approach you choose, you will critically record and reflect on your intellectual, creative and investigative processes in detail. While you’ll have the support of your course tutors and an academic supervisor, as a postgraduate student you’ll be expected to develop and prove your ability to operate independently in both academic and professional settings.

Apply now

MA Global Art Markets