Courtauld Institute of Art

It is part of the University of London University and dedicated to research in the history of art. It is the only insitute in Europe with a Department of the History of Clothing. After the master’s degree, it is possible to pursue a Doctorate in Research. The department is directed by Aileen Ribeiro. In order to be given one of the few and coveted places at the Institute, it is necessary to have an honors degree in history, literature, or art history, and to know two or more European languages. The course of study is very academic: it covers the chronology of clothing from Magna Graecia up to the present day. The department is located in Somerset House, also the home of the Institute’s celebrated art Collection. There are meetings with people in the trade as well as visits to museums and to the most important English historical Collections. Former students work at the Victoria and Albert Museum, at the National Portrait Gallery, at the Museum of London, at the Bath Museum of Costume, at the Christie’s auction house, and at the Saint Martin’s School of Art.