The Courtauld and King’s College London announce new strategic relationship

10-year strategic relationship will see two world-leading member institutions of the University of London – The Courtauld and King’s College London – collaborate on teaching, research and student experience, offering joint programmes and research. 

The Courtauld Institute of Art and King’s College London today announce a new landmark 10-year strategic relationship. As close neighbours on The Strand in Central London, The Courtauld and King’s share a mutual commitment to excellence and recognition of the role that the arts and culture play in Higher Education in the UK.

The relationship will provide a new platform for working together between The Courtauld and all King’s faculties, as well as new areas for academic and educational collaboration, with the development of co-convened Masters courses, undergraduate module sharing, co-supervision of postgraduate research and interdisciplinary research opportunities. The Courtauld and King’s will jointly develop innovative postgraduate courses over a 10-year period. Postgraduate provision will also include executive education, continuous professional development and short courses and both organisations have committed to joint supervision of PhDs. The relationship will also enhance the student experience, with students gaining access to services and activities across both institutions.

Professor Deborah Swallow, Märit Rausing Director of the Courtauld Institute of Art said: “Through this strategic relationship, King’s College London and The Courtauld have a unique opportunity to achieve educational, intellectual and public benefits together – while remaining two independent institutions. The Courtauld is the world’s leading centre for the study of the history and conservation of art and architecture, which complements King’s activity from across its nine academic faculties.  King’s offers a breadth of research and teaching activity, and a vibrant student experience proposition that opens up a rich interdisciplinary environment for The Courtauld academic, student and staff communities.”

King’s College London’s Principal & President, Professor Shitij Kapur said: “This new phase in the long-standing relationship between The Courtauld and King’s will serve to build on our strengths and our shared commitment to excellence, inclusion and service to society, as we enable more students, researchers and the public to benefit from and contribute to the extensive resources of both institutions.”

The Courtauld, as a specialist institution with a global reputation, distinguished history and founding principle of “art for all”, has a deep-rooted commitment to make change for the better, to be progressive, relevant, and resilient, and to push forward the understanding of the visual arts at a time when the arts have never been more important.  King’s, a large multi-Faculty Russell Group institution, has strengths in all areas from the Arts & Humanities through to Medicine and Health Sciences, Psychiatry and Psychology, the Social Sciences and Natural & Mathematical Sciences, and is committed to excellence, inclusion, and service to society in making the world a better place.

Professor Evelyn Welch, Senior Vice Principal (Service, People & Planning) at King’s College London, added: “We’ll co-operate across our existing areas of synergy in cultural history, visual arts and literature and digital humanities whilst also exploring new collaborative opportunities. These activities will be powered by some very strong existing research collaborations between the institutions, as well as acting as a catalyst for exciting new ones.”

Professor Alixe Bovey, Dean and Deputy Director of The Courtauld commented: “This strategic relationship gives The Courtauld and King’s a singular opportunity to develop innovative teaching, research and public engagement that would be impossible without collaboration. Art History is a subject that touches on just about every facet of human endeavor, and through this relationship we will be able to open up exciting new questions and initiatives with disciplines across King’s.”