Luxury Business (London) (Taught)

"Cultivate an in-depth awareness of the ever-changing business of luxury and its cultural settings.

Luxury is as dynamic and disruptive as ever. Shifts in consumer values, buying power, access, and technology are shaping an innovative and dynamic luxury market.

The Sotheby’s Institute MA in Luxury Business examines this sophisticated industry as it is diversifying and expanding, and explores synergies with other industries and cultural landscapes, such as the art world.

The program also responds to a more general trend in the high-end cultural and creative industry to synergize, break barriers, and find original ways of engaging with markets and audiences on a wider scale.

MA in Luxury Business uniquely develops a customer-centric perspective on luxury, including elements of design thinking and experience design.

Students will examine the social, historical, and cultural evolution of luxury, critically reflecting on how brands and businesses create value through unique and targeted storytelling, craftsmanship, and authenticity.

They will also gain a comprehensive understanding of luxury sectors and players, along with the financial, legal, and strategic components of luxury business management. Intersections with other high‑value cultural industries, especially art, are explored throughout the curriculum.

Graduates emerge equipped to contribute to a rapidly expanding global field, confidently navigating both the creative and commercial sides of the luxury ecosystem.

Highlights
Experiential learning Visits and international study trips are significant learning events, with the travel, seeing the art in situ and informal access to tutors serving to intensify the experience.

First-hand experience of luxury in different sectors Through site visits to specific retail stores and venues in the UK, including Rathfinny; Fortnum & Mason; Harrods, John Lobb, The Coral Room and other independent brands, students explore how luxury is created and experienced in different contexts.

Learning from the specialists The program features high profile academics, industry practitioners, and special guests, previously including Rebecca Robins (Interbrand); Gaia Rosetti (Belmond); Viviane Paraschiv (Farfetch); and Alex Gander.

The Enterprise StudioGives Mater's students hands-on entrepreneurial support, mentorship, and resources to develop real ventures in the art and luxury sectors, culminating in The Gavel pitch competition.

Privileged access to the Art World With its links to Sotheby’s, MA in Luxury Business is the only MA in luxury that can offer original contents and specific expertise on the interaction between the arts and luxury.

Leadership and professional development opportunities The program also considers the future career path of the students by offering them workshops in leadership and professional development."

"The Master’s degree is awarded for 120 taught credits across two semesters, as well as the completion of a 60-credit dissertation over the course of an additional semester.

The first two semesters are intensively taught on four (occasionally five) days per week. During the program, specialist electives can be chosen from across all Institute Master’s programs, allowing a student to build a personalized Master’s profile. Students take two 15-credit electives across a variety of offerings for deeper expertise or to develop specialties.

The three units for this program are Luxury in Context: introduces the students to the concept of luxury and its historical development, The Luxury Market: explores consumer behavior in luxury, and Managing a Luxury Business: emphasizes the structure and operations of the luxury business."