Undeterred by a possible dip in the market, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London (SIAL), has launched a master’s degree in Modern and contemporary Asian art to help turn out “highly employable” experts in the field. “There will be an increasing need for graduates with Asian art expertise to enter museums, public and private galleries, art fairs, auction houses and biennials,” Jos Hackforth-Jones, the director of SIAL, says. The 12-month master’s (from £24,900 plus travel costs) begins in September and combines an object-based approach with a practical focus on the art market. It will be led by Katie Hill, a specialist in contemporary Chinese art. Master’s degrees that SIAL already offers cover art business, contemporary art, and fine and decorative art and design. They are validated by the UK’s University of Manchester.