he Courtauld Institute of Art is one of the world’s leading centres for the study of the history and conservation of art and architecture, and its Gallery houses one of Britain’s best-loved collections. Based at Somerset House, The Courtauld is an independent college of the University of London. The Director of the Institute is Professor Deborah Swallow who reports to the Governing Board. The Chairman is James Hughes-Hallett.

Degree programmes on offer include a BA, Graduate Diploma and MA in the History of Art; a Postgraduate Diploma in the Conservation of Easel Paintings; an MA in Painting Conservation (Wall Painting); an MA in Curating the Art Museum (new for 2007-08); and MPhil and PhD research degrees.

Facilities for students are exceptional, including outstanding libraries and The Courtauld Gallery collection of paintings, drawings and prints, and sculpture and decorative arts. Courtauld staff supervise research from Antiquity to the present, and the Research Forum offers access to visiting speakers from around the world.

Public lectures, short courses and lunchtime talks allow members of the public to share in the wealth of expertise at The Courtauld.

The Courtauld Gallery, open daily, contains iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, as well as numerous other important paintings and works on paper from the Renaissance through to the 20th century. Its temporary exhibitions tend to be small in scale, and are designed to offer as much food for the mind as pleasure to the eye.

Daily 10am – 6pm (last admission 5.30pm)