Sotheby's Institute of Art New York was not a degree-granting institution during the relevant period, but it ran a program wherein students could, through studies at Sotheby's, earn a Masters of Arts recognized by the University of Manchester.
Boyle J. found that the taxpayer could not deduct her tuition amounts for studies at Sotheby's. Unlike s. 118.5(1)(a), paragraph (b) requires that studies take place at a "university." Prior cases have established that a "university" must at least be able to grant bachelor's degrees. It is not sufficient that the course of study at a non-university can result in a degree from an affiliated university (para. 8).
In respect of study periods outside Canada, the s. 118.6(2) education credit and s. 118.(2.1) textbook credit are likewise only available for university studies (para. 11).