It is among the most prestigious specialist colleges for the study of the history of art in the world and is known for the disproportionate number of directors of major museums drawn from its small body of alumni.

In 2019, the Courtauld's teaching and research activities temporarily relocated to Vernon Square, London, while its Somerset House site underwent a major regeneration project.

[6] Originally the Courtauld was based in Home House, a townhouse designed by Robert Adam in Portman Square, Marylebone.

[8] In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute offered digital "mini festivals" called "Open Courtauld Hour".

The Independent has called it "probably the most prestigious specialist college for the study of the history of art in the world".

[18] Students in the history of art master's programme have to choose a specialisation ranging from antiquity to early modern to global contemporary artwork.

[25] Two other websites sell high-resolution digital files to scholars, publishers and broadcasters, and photographic prints to a wide public audience.

The number of notable alumni in the fine arts has earned graduates the "Courtauld Mafia" nickname.