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Courtauld MA application 2018

Hi all,
Anyone else applying for the Courtauld 2018 entry?
If so, what option paper?

Applying for the MA history of art at any other unis? I'm also applying UCL and maybe Oxford

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Original post by Artfemvegan
Hi all,
Anyone else applying for the Courtauld 2018 entry?
If so, what option paper?

Applying for the MA history of art at any other unis? I'm also applying UCL and maybe Oxford


The Oxford thread is here and the UCl thread is here :smile:
Original post by Artfemvegan
Hi all,
Anyone else applying for the Courtauld 2018 entry?
If so, what option paper?

Applying for the MA history of art at any other unis? I'm also applying UCL and maybe Oxford


Yea I am applying to the Courtauld MA history of art as well. Do they have rolling admission like UCL ? I hope so. What module did you choose?
Reply 3
Hi everyone
I am an international applicant and I am applying to Courtauld Sothebys and SOAS this year
still deciding my special options for Courtauld
Sweet!Somebody is finally writing in this thread. Since you are applying to SOAS, I assume you are interested in Asian, African and Middle East subjects. You should be able to find a few in the options for Courtauld. I found that Courtauld definitely has the best options to choose from. Everywhere else is a bit too specific, as I am still learning how to research and I am looking for more of a foundation.How much of your self are you writing about for the personal statement (for courtauld)? It seems like they want a mix. When I applied I spent more time writing about my aspirations, then why I wanted that option. Hopefully that doesn't affect me too much. I assumed each professor would want to get to know me a bit.
Reply 5
Original post by GYPSYSQUID
Sweet!Somebody is finally writing in this thread. Since you are applying to SOAS, I assume you are interested in Asian, African and Middle East subjects. You should be able to find a few in the options for Courtauld. I found that Courtauld definitely has the best options to choose from. Everywhere else is a bit too specific, as I am still learning how to research and I am looking for more of a foundation.How much of your self are you writing about for the personal statement (for courtauld)? It seems like they want a mix. When I applied I spent more time writing about my aspirations, then why I wanted that option. Hopefully that doesn't affect me too much. I assumed each professor would want to get to know me a bit.


Thank you so much for sharing this!
I am a Chinese. I was about to apply to the special option Global China this year and I finished my personal statement for that option several months ago. It was kind of my ideal module and I have so many stuff to talk about but this year they canceled that option. I have to apply to sth new. I am thinking documentary reborn or global conceptualism (and maybe renaissance?)I dont know yet.
I'm applying for the PhD-- mind if I join in? I just need a good place to be stressed about it lol

I did my MA at SOAS, by the way. I found it good, but I suppose it depends on what you want to get out of it. I chose between Sotheby's and SOAS, and chose SOAS for the language offering and because my aspirations are more academic than commercial.
I have applied for the History of Art MA and its killing me waiting for any kind of reply! I applied for the special option New York - London - Paris has anyone heard anything? I know its a bit early to hear from them, I'm just soo nervous!
Original post by AshcanGroup
I have applied for the History of Art MA and its killing me waiting for any kind of reply! I applied for the special option New York - London - Paris has anyone heard anything? I know its a bit early to hear from them, I'm just soo nervous!


When did you apply? What was the closing date? In the past, I think they've sent replies in March. Seems like an eternity.
Original post by artsytype
When did you apply? What was the closing date? In the past, I think they've sent replies in March. Seems like an eternity.


I applied back in November and have been trawling through old feeds, March seems to be the official deadline but seems some modules interview mid February... Im just super impatient!
Original post by AshcanGroup
I applied back in November and have been trawling through old feeds, March seems to be the official deadline but seems some modules interview mid February... Im just super impatient!


I don't blame you. I applied two days ago and I already feel crazy!
Just got a job at an apple sauce factory. Most monotonous thing ever!! All I do is practice French to the apple sauce and anxiously await for school offers (or no offers). Can not wait to dedicate myself to the arts again.
Hello all!

I am applying for MA History of art as well. My application was sent in in early November. The special option I chose is Strolling Isfahan by Dr. Sussan Babaie. Good luck to everyone applying! Though it seems they will not send out offers until late Feb...

I also applied to SOAS, which I got a conditional offer from. Similar to @heroziqi, my area of interest is quite specialised.

My question is, do you guys know if your referees have submitted their reference letters? What I've heard from one of my lecturers is that the Courtauld only send out reference requests after they have gone through your application, so that for some people they may not even receive a reference request.. is that true?
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by michelangeliu
Hello all!

I am applying for MA History of art as well. My application was sent in in early November. The special option I chose is Strolling Isfahan by Dr. Sussan Babaie. Good luck to everyone applying! Though it seems they will not send out offers until late Feb...

I also applied to SOAS, which I got a conditional offer from. Similar to @heroziqi, my area of interest is quite specialised.

My question is, do you guys know if your referees have submitted their reference letters? What I've heard from one of my lecturers is that the Courtauld only send out reference requests after they have gone through your application, so that for some people they may not even receive a reference request.. is that true?


The courtauld website says they send the requests automatically once you submit your application. This was true for my application. Best to email your references to let them know to expect the emaill once you submit, just in case.
Original post by michelangeliu
Hello all!

I am applying for MA History of art as well. My application was sent in in early November. The special option I chose is Strolling Isfahan by Dr. Sussan Babaie. Good luck to everyone applying! Though it seems they will not send out offers until late Feb...

I also applied to SOAS, which I got a conditional offer from. Similar to @heroziqi, my area of interest is quite specialised.

My question is, do you guys know if your referees have submitted their reference letters? What I've heard from one of my lecturers is that the Courtauld only send out reference requests after they have gone through your application, so that for some people they may not even receive a reference request.. is that true?


One of my references told me she hadn't received my courtauld one, but when I persisted it had been sent to her junk. So always worth asking them to check their junk mail :smile:
Original post by artsytype
The courtauld website says they send the requests automatically once you submit your application. This was true for my application. Best to email your references to let them know to expect the emaill once you submit, just in case.


Thank you! I have emailed my referees, though the application had been sent in ages ago...Nor did I receive reminders from Courtauld regarding the references, which is weird...
Original post by michelangeliu
Hello all!

I am applying for MA History of art as well. My application was sent in in early November. The special option I chose is Strolling Isfahan by Dr. Sussan Babaie. Good luck to everyone applying! Though it seems they will not send out offers until late Feb...

I also applied to SOAS, which I got a conditional offer from. Similar to @heroziqi, my area of interest is quite specialised.

My question is, do you guys know if your referees have submitted their reference letters? What I've heard from one of my lecturers is that the Courtauld only send out reference requests after they have gone through your application, so that for some people they may not even receive a reference request.. is that true?


All my references are in. They don't send out confirmations. So you have to ask your referees if they sent it and also check in with admissions. They can confirm that they have received them.

How many people do you think apply to the Courtauld. It seems like they have a spot for every applicant. 170 spots is crazy big. Oxford only receives 145 applicants on average. Seems promising, but not competitive, which is fine with me. Unless there are like 500 people applying for the masters, which I doubt. But even if that is the case, the odds are still good haha... What do you all think?
Original post by GYPSYSQUID
All my references are in. They don't send out confirmations. So you have to ask your referees if they sent it and also check in with admissions. They can confirm that they have received them.

How many people do you think apply to the Courtauld. It seems like they have a spot for every applicant. 170 spots is crazy big. Oxford only receives 145 applicants on average. Seems promising, but not competitive, which is fine with me. Unless there are like 500 people applying for the masters, which I doubt. But even if that is the case, the odds are still good haha... What do you all think?


I think for the Courtauld the actual course that you're applying for is a huge factor determining how competitive it is, come courses seem far more popular than others. It does seem a HUGE course, especially compared to just 20 students at Oxford admitted (and there being a whooping 7.25 applicants to each place).

I can't find any application statistics for the Courtauld online, has anyone else had any luck? I don't even know what sort of ball-park figure to expect...
Old stats but:

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/ReviewsAndReports/Documents/The%20Courtauld%20Institute%20of%20Art/Courtauld-Institute-of-Art-IA-annex-11.pdf

says that for the BA there was 360 applicants for 50 places, and a "similar" standard for the MA. but very old, so perhaps not particularly relevant anymore
So essentially a lot of people get in, but a lot of people don't get their first/second choice options. 360 applicants for 50 places isn't too bad though, as I imagine they are giving out at least two or three offers per place. Thank you for sharing that pdf!!

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