Goldsmiths Undergraduate Guide 2024

Manystories

In this guide

Goldsmiths was founded in 1891 and has been part of the University of London for nearly 120 years. Historic but innovative, challenging but supportive – Goldsmiths is a place brimming with contradictions, but it is these that make it so special. In this guide, we introduce Goldsmiths to you through stories from our students and graduates. They represent a student community that’s as diverse as it is impressive. What they all share is that they came with an open mind and will leave with skills, knowledge, connections and memories that last a lifetime.

A melting-pot of ideas One creative powerhouse

At Goldsmiths, University of London, we combine academic excellence and imaginative course content to make a place where ideas are welcomed and nurtured

Undergraduate degrees

You can choose from a wide range of undergraduate degrees on offer – explore the list on the opposite page for all the different subject areas available.

Degrees with a foundation year

We also offer a range of programmes that include a foundation year (or years) of study before you start your degree. They are particularly suitable if you have been out of formal education for some time, or if you’re passionate about a subject but don’t meet the entry requirements to start a degree course straight away.

gold.ac.uk/ug/integrated-degrees

Open Book

The Open Book team works to break down barriers for anyone who thinks that higher education isn’t an option for them. The team runs drop-in sessions, short courses, and a foundation programme that has led to many students progressing to complete undergraduate degrees. gold.ac.uk/open-book

Programmes for international students

In addition to our undergraduate degrees, we offer the courses below to support students who may not speak English as their first language.

Pre-sessional English Language programmes

These are short programmes that you can take before your degree if you need to improve your English language skills. They last between six and 12 weeks, depending on the level of tuition you need.

International Foundation Certificates (IFCs)

These one-year courses give you the opportunity to develop your English language skills, extend your disciplinary knowledge and become familiar with UK academic culture. We offer seven pathways, each with a specific disciplinary focus, including arts and humanities, computing, design, media, music and social sciences. If you successfully complete an IFC with a pass mark of 50% or more then you will have guaranteed progression onto one of our undergraduate degrees.

BA Fine Art (Extension Degree)

On this one-year course, you work independently as an artist and develop your own ideas. We offer appropriate English language development classes. This programme is designed to lead to BA Fine Art or BA Fine Art & History of Art.

Find out more about these courses at gold.ac.uk/preparation

Undergraduate subjects

We offer degrees in the arts, humanities, social sciences, computing, management and law. Find out more at gold.ac.uk/course-finder

Anthropology

Art

A Z

Arts Management

Business & Management

Community Studies

Computer Science

Creative Computing

Creative Writing

Criminology

Curating

Design

Economics

Education

English

History

History of Art

International Relations

Journalism

Law

Management

Marketing

Media & Communications

Music

Politics

Psychology

Social Work

Sociology

Theatre & Performance

Therapeutic Studies

bus ride)

Eye Big Ben

South Bank

Goldsmiths Campus

All undergraduate teaching and support on one site

Loring Hall

London

New Cross Gate Station

Raymont Hall (20-min walk)

Town Hall Camberwell (15-min

The Shard Tate Modern

London Bridge

Tower Bridge

Chesterman House

New Cross Station

Quantum Court

Surrey House (5-min walk)

Ewen Henderson Court

Historic and innovative, challenging and supportive – Goldsmiths is a place brimming with contradictions, but it is these graduates. They represent a student body that’s as diverse as it is impressive. What they share is that they came with

Building on our academic heritage For a sustainable future

Goldsmiths’ history is full of pioneering and inspiring figures who have made a positive impact on society

1891

Goldsmiths’ Technical and Recreative Institute is founded, dedicated to improving the skills and knowledge of the local working and artisan classes.

The new century brings the first students for teacher training.

1900

Goldsmiths joins the University of London (the third oldest university in England).

1904

The Library is damaged by World War II bombing. Today our Library holds thousands of books, musical scores, audio-visual material and e-journals, as well as lots of study spaces and a café.

Mary Quant (right) begins studying at Goldsmiths aged 16. The pioneering fashion designer, who was to become a key figure in the ‘swinging 60s’, has described the university as “a great place to go – for causing trouble!”

1950

1940

these that make the university so special. We introduce Goldsmiths to you through stories from our students and with an open mind and will leave with memories and connections that last a lifetime.

A dedicated theatre is created in a former chapel. The George Wood Theatre is used for productions but also public lectures and guest workshops, including one from Sir Michael Caine in the mid-90s. In 2018, the facilities were given a multi-million-pound renovation (see page 39).

Goldsmiths student Damien Hirst organises the Freeze art exhibition in a nearby derelict building. It brings together works from many who went on to be known as the YBAs (young British artists). The group – many also from Goldsmiths –influenced art at the end of the century and today.

Former Goldsmiths students win both the Turner Prize and Mercury Music Prize. In the same year we establish the Goldsmiths Prize, which recognises fiction that breaks the mould and celebrates the qualities of creative daring associated with the university.

Linton Kwesi Johnson (above), who studied sociology at Goldsmiths in the 1970s, becomes the first Black poet (and only the second living poet) to appear in the Penguin Modern Classics series.

Graduate Bernardine Evaristo (pictured left) is awarded the Booker Prize for her novel ‘Girl, Woman, Other’. She shares the award with Margaret Atwood. Evaristo graduated with a PhD from Goldsmiths in 2013.

We launch the Green New Deal, to address the climate emergency (see page 11).

Goldsmiths is ranked joint 13th in the UK for student to staff ratio in the Guardian University Guide.

duate showcase

G ar etaud esacwohs

Hamza

Shaking things up and addressing inequality

Hamza has achieved more than he ever expected since studying a BA Politics degree at Goldsmiths. Last year, aged 22, he became the youngest Lord Mayor of Westminster, and the borough’s first Muslim Lord Mayor. “Not in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be Lord Mayor,” says Hamza. “It’s changed up the whole system.”

His role involves representing the achievements of Westminster and its diverse communities, and attending civic and ceremonial events. “I’m now able to go to places where people like me wouldn’t usually be able to go,” explains Hamza, who grew up on a council estate in the borough. “Just the other week I was in Buckingham Palace, speaking to King Charles. It’s a lot to take in.”

Hamza has used his platform to have “tough conversations” with the people he meets about the huge levels of inequality in Westminster. He advocates for a youth work charity, and regularly visits schools to inspire the young people he meets to dream big. “I want to ensure that they get a solid chance in life, no matter where they live, or who they are,” Hamza says. “Growing up in my area, uni wasn’t somewhere that people would normally go.”

Thinking back to his own university days, Hamza says the Goldsmiths politics degree really appealed because of the module choices. “There were other London unis where I could have studied politics but I thought that Goldsmiths was a bit more ‘out there’ and more creative,” he explains. “So Goldsmiths was always my first choice. I also liked the fact that there was a friendly and open atmosphere.”

During his degree, Hamza was also a Labour Party Councillor, so he juggled these duties alongside his studies. “Sometimes I’d finish uni and then come straight to Westminster City Hall for meetings, or do casework for residents in my ward,” he remembers.

Hamza’s term as Lord Mayor will finish this year, at which point he’ll go back to his Councillor role. Thinking about the remainder of his time in office, and his future plans, his priorities remain peoplefocused. “I want to keep linking things back to the communities that need a helping hand,” he says. “I’m still going to be advocating for young people and fighting their corner.”

Individual insights, collective action

In an evolving and unpredictable world, we want to prepare you for whatever the future holds. At the core of our values is the desire to be actively involved with positive change in the world, and that’s something we’ll encourage in you.

At a local level that means addressing the climate emergency by drastically reducing our carbon emissions and working with local partners on climate action. As part of our Green New Deal project, we have committed to becoming a certified carbon neutral organisation by 2025. This has included divesting from fossil fuels and removing beef from our campus menus, winning recognition from PETA. We are also working with ecologists to improve biodiversity on the campus.

More broadly, much of our research and teaching centres on environmental and social justice. For example, the Department of Law has a strong focus on human rights; education students consider questions like why are certain people excluded from the system; and our media degrees encourage you to explore the relationship between communication systems and democracy.

Our Warden, Professor Frances Corner OBE, says, “Goldsmiths embraces innovative and critical thinking across all of its disciplines and programmes. These are approaches that I believe will be vital in supporting you to reach your full potential – at Goldsmiths and beyond. They will also help you in encouraging others to do the same.”

We want you to leave Goldsmiths facing your future with confidence, and with a questioning mind that helps you contribute to a better world.

From top: Goldsmiths at Pride in London; Frances Corner in the Goldsmiths allotment

Goldsmiths embraces innovative and critical thinking... vital in supporting you to reach your full potential.

Being different

Is what we do

At Goldsmiths you won’t just be taught about a subject –you’ll be encouraged to explore your own fresh perspectives, challenge preconceptions and disrupt theories

We have expert teachers, who have experience of industry and research. This combination means that degrees are informed by a balance of theory and practice, so that you have a foundation of the learning in your subject, but also an insight into how it looks in the real world.

Pushing the boundaries

Whatever subject you choose, we adopt a creative approach to teaching – embracing new ideas with energy. From psychology modules on the science of magic, to computing degrees that also develop your creative practice, and pioneering sociology programmes that encourage you to get out onto the streets to observe social life, Goldsmiths loves to push the boundaries. We want you to broaden your horizons rather than narrow your thinking (see pages 44-55).

Our academics are at the forefront of research in their fields, which shows our commitment to pushing forward the theories and teaching that will empower you to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Approachable staff

What I enjoyed most about the degree was the flexibility I had to direct my learning and explore my interests. From my first day on the course, I felt listened to and advocated for. Throughout my learning, I was encouraged to challenge myself and provided with opportunities to pursue my interests.

Anika, from the USA BA Curating

You’ll be taught by staff who are interested in you as an individual, and you’ll be encouraged to bring your own ideas and experiences to the classroom. Your tutors and other staff are accessible, and you’ll often be on first-name terms with them. This friendly approach encourages an exchange of ideas between students and academics, and with classmates.

A great example of this is our undergraduate education studies degree, where staff get to know students well, and run a personal progress programme to help them reflect on their life goals. Sachelle studied the degree then returned to Goldsmiths for her PGCE. Reflecting on her time on the BA with senior lecturer Dr Anna Carlile, she says: “You’ve become one of the gatekeepers in my life. I’ve always had people who have believed in me and have motivated me and pushed me, and you’ve definitely been one of them. And that’s who I aspire to be.”

Goldsmiths’ eight principles

We’re reshaping our degrees with you in mind and to respond to the changing world around us. We have redeveloped our curriculum, setting out eight key principles that all our programmes are aiming to achieve. These principles provide a solid foundation to build your future on. You can find out more about these principles and what they mean for you at gold.ac.uk/our-goals

Connecting the curriculum

Goldsmiths is globally renowned for our interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning. You will have the opportunity during your degree programme and selected modules to access learning beyond your chosen subject area, to gain a broader perspective. gold.ac.uk/our-goals/principle-2

When I started the degree as a mature student, I was worried I’d find the academic reading and writing challenging, due to being out of education for eight years. But I found the content of the BA instantly gave me the understanding of theory and practice that I was able to apply to my own life.

Andrea, from the UK BA Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work

“University was actually better than I’d expected,” says recent graduate Sarah.

“I thought it would be really scary. But Goldsmiths was unique – it blew my mind. The lecturers were very down-to-earth and supportive. It was amazing!”

Sarah studied an undergraduate psychology degree, specialising in management modules in the third year. This combination of subjects had fascinated her for a long time, and she found that motivation came easily because she was passionate about what she was learning. “I really enjoyed what I was doing,” she explains. “When I woke up in the morning it wasn’t a drag or a burden. I enjoyed my subjects, I enjoyed reading, and I enjoyed the coursework – because it’s something that I love.”

On the degree Sarah got to learn about psychological theories but she also appreciated the practical focus of the course. She saw things “coming to life” in the real world by getting involved in PhD student studies and research projects, and via opportunities to work on live issues and develop solutions collaboratively.

In her third year she did a module on organisational behaviour health, and one of the assignments was to solve a problem faced by a genuine company. Sarah explains: “Based on what we had learned in our lectures, as a group, we had to think of solutions and present them to the organisation. It was a real company, real people, a real challenge they were facing.

And I think just that simple essence of understanding that what I was learning could be applied to real life really prepared me for the world of work.”

Sarah is now a Community Engagement Analyst at Bank of America, planning and coordinating employee engagement and virtual volunteering schemes across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and managing more than 50 charity partners. It’s a contractor role that’s part of a programme run in partnership with the East London Business Alliance, providing inner-city graduates with employment opportunities within big corporations. On the side she also runs a blog and Instagram account sharing advice and tips for job interviews, internships and careers.

Sarah remembers her time at Goldsmiths fondly. “There was a lot of collaboration,” she says, “and I think working with different people you’re able to see things from a different perspective and come up with better solutions.”

This culture of fellow students actively participating in the university experience also extended to meeting people socially.

“I found that, at Goldsmiths, it was easy to make friends,” Sarah explains. “Everyone’s really welcoming and warm. It’s something I think everyone should bear in mind – the culture of the university they want to go to. It plays a big part in your experience. And I really love the culture of Goldsmiths.”

Goldsmiths was unique – it blew my mind. The lecturers were very down-to-earth and supportive.

Gaining fantastic skills and experience through meaningful work

“I say ‘yes’ to everything! I think it’s better for your soul.” Saying ‘yes’ has been a great approach for Kelly, who has well and truly made the most out of her university experience. Whether that’s working as a Student Ambassador and getting involved with tutoring and mentoring young people, or becoming a Peer Assisted Learning facilitator to support first-year students at Goldsmiths, Kelly has discovered lots of ways to carry out paid work that has not only developed her skills and experience, but is meaningful and inspiring too.

Her return to university has opened up lots of new paths for Kelly. Before arriving at Goldsmiths she’d worked as a lawyer, but started to get disillusioned when she realised it no longer aligned with her values.

Kelly took the plunge and joined the “mind-blowing” BA Sociology with Criminology degree, which she recently graduated from with First Class Honours. She’s now started a part-time Masters in Social Research at Goldsmiths, and is on the verge of getting her first co-authored article published in an academic journal, after undertaking some paid research investigating the racism directed at young Black players following the Euro 2020 Final.

Kelly is amazed she’s had the opportunity to turn her hand to so many different things. “All the stuff I’m doing – I can’t believe it,” she says. “I just feel so on top of the world.” For the past year she’s also worked part-time in the Goldsmiths IT department, and this opportunity to earn a regular wage at the same time as studying has helped Kelly gain great experience while supporting her family. “It literally saved me during the pandemic,” she says, “because I was able to earn from home, and also learn so much.”

The degree itself has obviously deepened Kelly’s knowledge and skills, too. “It’s opened me up to new literature, it’s taught me how to critically analyse, and it’s expanded my compassion, empathy and tolerance,” Kelly says. And she’s met lots of like-minded people who she describes as “lifelong friends”.

“Studying at Goldsmiths has had a huge impact on me,” Kelly explains. “Only three years have passed, but I’m a completely different person for the better.” And what is Kelly’s overriding impression of her time here? “It’s been so meaningful, really. All of it. Meaningful connections with people, meaningful work, meaningful career change… that’s how I feel about it.”

All the stuff I’m doing – I can’t believe it. I just feel so on top of the world.

A local university With a global outlook

Goldsmiths truly embraces the global citizen. Students coming to the university from other countries will find a thriving international community and enjoy the experience of studying in one of the world’s major cities. UK students can expand their horizons through the opportunities to travel and make friends from around the world.

For more information about studying abroad, visit gold.ac.uk/students/go-abroad

Find the world in one place

We are firmly rooted in South East London, but are global in our reach and outlook. We work with universities around the world, from the USA to the Philippines, and undertake research with an international focus: over three-quarters of it is rated world-leading or internationally excellent*.

The curriculum spans continents too. Goldsmiths offers modules that look beyond Europe, such as ‘African Theatre’ for those studying performance, ‘Contemporary Arab Migrant Writing’ in English degrees, or ‘Performing South-East Asian Music’ from the Department of Music.

From January to March I was doing a course in Denmark. It was amazing. It was a very different environment. I studied Greenland and the new Arctic, which gave me insight into how the Danes perceive themselves. I want to do more.

I’d love to go back!

Isobel, joint honours BA History & Anthropology

* Latest Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2021

Our students also have opportunities to spend time learning around the world. We have a wide range of exchange partnerships, and our Global Opportunities team offers funding to support you to study and work abroad. Past students have studied abroad for a term, within Europe, Asia and South America. Meanwhile our Confucius Institute offers Mandarin and music and dance lessons – great if you want to learn more about Chinese culture from the comfort of the campus.

We welcome students to Goldsmiths from all corners of the world, including many from Asia and the USA. International students live in halls with UK students, and make connections across subjects, enriching the student experience for everyone.

Zoey came to Goldsmiths from Chicago, having never been to Europe before. She used London as a base for exploring more of the continent. “Coming to London was just the perfect mix of familiarity with the language and stepping out of my comfort zone,” she explains. Zoey also appreciated Goldsmiths’ inclusivity. Rather than feeling like an outsider in her classes, Zoey felt valued and that there was a true exchange of knowledge. She says: “There was a lot of opportunity to learn from those around me. The students always welcomed my opinion, especially as I’m an interesting subject because I come from a different country.”

At Goldsmiths you’ll find students and staff from more than 130 countries, so you’ll have a very international experience

Support if you are an international student

Goldsmiths attracts people from all over the world, both as students and staff, and the campus provides a welcoming environment where you can be yourself. We offer pre-sessional and in-sessional English programmes and classes if you need to develop your language skills before or during your studies (see page 4), and there are orientation events at the start of the academic year to get you acquainted with life in London and help you make friends. There’s lots more useful information on our website at gold.ac.uk/international

If you require a visa, staff at our Immigration Advisory Service can advise you before you arrive and during your studies (see page 57).

There are a range of scholarships and bursaries available to international students, including the Goldsmiths International Undergraduate Scholarship, which currently supports up to 35 students every year. Find out more by exploring our Scholarships Finder at gold.ac.uk/fees-funding/scholarships

Goldsmiths’ campus and students are characterised by contrasts. Everyone is different and feels free to express their identity yet there is an overriding sense of community and care for each other. We are all well aware of the importance and benefits of diversity, which then sets the ground for a united student body.

I wanted to gain a better understanding of the inner workings of the art industry from an international perspective... I really enjoyed being able to explore different practices within the arts, and having the flexibility to cater to my specific areas of interests. I can confidently say that my time at Goldsmiths has been worthwhile and that I am truly grateful for the inspiring friends and lecturers that I have encountered along the way.

Arturo, from Spain Economics student

Valerie, from Singapore BA Arts Management

Kamal,

Kamal, Simas and Diana are all studying computer science, but they are from very different backgrounds. Kamal is a local student who grew up so close to Goldsmiths that he would use the study spaces when he was at sixth form.

But when he joined his local university, Kamal didn’t realise what an international experience it was going to be. As soon as he began his degree, Kamal started to make friends with people from all over the world, meeting Simas – who is from Lithuania – on the first day he came in. The two later became friends with Diana, an Italian of Bangladeshi descent, who was also on the computing course.

Simas says the fact so many countries and cultures are represented at Goldsmiths is part of why he loves the

university. “It’s a good mix. There’s lots of diversity, and so many people from different places. I think that’s what makes it friendly and so much like a family, because people come from different places, and so we are more open and understanding of different cultures.”

Diana agrees that the mix of the people at Goldsmiths is very positive. “Because we are on one campus, it feels like a family to me. Whether they are staff or students, everyone’s really nice – in class or outside.”

Simas and Diana both joined societies run by the Students’ Union when they arrived, partly to make friends. “In my first year I signed up for societies like volleyball and things like that, and so I got to meet a lot of people – some living in halls and some at home.

I made lots of friends that way,” says Simas. Diana’s choice introduced her to people, but also to new experiences. “Last year I was in the Japanese Society and it’s not just Japanese people in there –anyone can join! We went out and ate, and we watched movies in their language. It helps us know about other cultures.”

So, does it help to work alongside people from all over the world? “I don’t know if they know, but I learned a lot from Diana and Simas,” says Kamal. “What I like about Goldsmiths is it teaches you about the power of perspective. Having friends from out of the country and different cities coming to Goldsmiths, they show you things through their lens and it’s a very different perspective.”

There’s lots of diversity, and so many people from different places. I think that’s what makes it friendly and so much like a family.

Steeped in history and culture Always offering something new

Discover

London is famous the world over for its cultural life and diversity. And it’s been recognised as a fantastic place to study – it’s been voted the 2023 Best Student City*. From incredible food through to nightlife that caters to every possible taste, and from the endless cultural opportunities of galleries, theatre and music through to the tranquillity of the Royal Parks, there is plenty to keep you entertained and inspired.

* topuniversities.com/ city-rankings/202 3

and the arts

Work and study opportunities

Choosing London to study is like opening the door to thousands of opportunities. Whether it’s the wealth of political and media organisations, the start-ups that are shaping the future of tech, or the diverse cultural landscape that you want to tap into, the city is bursting with chances to enrich your learning. This could be through networking, placements or the speakers who visit campus.

If you are keen to find work to support you during your degree, London offers a wealth of part-time opportunities that can fit around your studies and help develop your transferable skills (see pages 16-17 for inspiration). Studying in London will also bring you closer to the large organisations that influence Britain and the world – whether you’re interested in working in politics, the media, an NGO or the arts.

As a Goldsmiths student you’ll have access to the University of London facilities at Senate House and seven specialist libraries, as well as research opportunities in museums and other organisations.

I chose London because I really wanted to be in a metropolitan area where there was always something to do and explore. And it’s really nice to have access to different museums that are free. And also be able to walk around this city –there are always free things to try.

Madison, from the USA Study Abroad student

a great global city – home to people from all over the world, and a hub for industry, politics

Low-cost living

Being in London can be expensive if you’re a tourist, but as a student you can take advantage of lots of discounts and money-saving options.

These include:

• 18+ Oyster Card, which gets you 30% off travelcards

• Student Art Pass for discounted gallery and museum tickets

• The TOTUM card for discount shopping and entertainment, run by the National Union of Students

You can enter most of the major museums and galleries without spending a thing, and there are free talks and exhibitions at places like the Southbank Centre and Somerset House. If you want to get out and enjoy art, there are magnificent murals throughout the city, with lots to be discovered in South and East London.

If you love to browse, the city’s markets are numerous and varied. Check out Columbia Road’s flowers in the east, or explore the second-hand treasures on Portobello Road in the west. Nearby we have our own great markets, including foodie paradise, Borough Market, which is just 10 minutes from Goldsmiths by train.

Don’t worry about noise or crowds in the city – we are blessed with many green spaces throughout London. From urban squares offering an elegant oasis to Royal Parks you can get lost in, our open spaces bring true respite from the fast pace of London life.

And when you are ready for some noisy activity, London is home to many free festivals throughout the year, including Lambeth Country Show in Brixton, Deptford X arts festival, and the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival.

Local students choosing to stay

At Goldsmiths there are many students who live in London or the South East and choose to stay at home while they study. If you grow up in one of the world’s greatest cities it makes sense to be a student here, especially as it can mean saving on housing costs.

As a commuting student, there are no compromises on campus life. You can make friends through your course, Students’ Union societies and sports clubs (page 34), work, volunteering opportunities, and more. The Welcome Week at the start of the academic year is a great way to try out new activities and meet people.

gold.ac.uk/study/studying-locally

I decided to stay at home for uni because Goldsmiths is not far from where I live in Whitechapel. Also it means I’m still able to enjoy my mum’s home cooking! Travelling to uni you can make friends easily and meet new people going on the same journey as you.

Sumaiya, from London BSc Psychology

Journey times to Goldsmiths using public transport, and approximate distances. This map is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.

Avoid the tourist traps Find the real London

New Cross

Goldsmiths is in New Cross, South East London – a great place to have a real experience of life in the capital. It’s in Zone 2 and is less than 10 minutes by train to Central or East London – so it’s close enough to easily access the landmarks and nightlife of the bustling city, but with plenty going on locally to keep you entertained.

The area has a rich tradition of creativity, and has been home to musicians, artists and community leaders for many years, as well as a large and visible student population. You’ll find a diverse range of restaurants, cafés and shops nearby, including food from around the world – the Caribbean, China, Thailand, Hungary, India, Korea, Lebanon and Turkey are all represented. There’s also plenty of local nightlife, including pubs, comedy venues and some nearby clubs. Local green spaces include Fordham Park and Telegraph Hill Park, which has amazing views over London – especially at sunset.

I was really suprised by how much of a community feeling there is in South East London. There’s so much to discover that’s really close.

Chloé, politics student

Become part of the local community while you are a student and discover the best of the city in the south and the east

Neighbourhoods to explore nearby

Beyond New Cross there are fascinating places in all directions, full of great markets, cafés, bars, shops and green spaces – all the hidden gems you can discover once you begin life as a Goldsmiths student.

South London is a place you don’t get to know well until you live here – and everyone finds their own favourite places.

Less than two miles east is historic Greenwich, home to the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and riverside walks. The Royal Observatory and weekend markets draw tourist crowds, but our students also love it for a picturesque day out: pack a picnic and explore the 183-acre park.

In the other direction – less than two miles west – is Peckham, a diverse area that’s known for its artistic community, buzzing high street and rooftop cocktail bars. A beloved student spot is Copeland Park and the Bussey Building, also known as Peckham’s cultural quarter.

With the Overground running through New Cross to East London, Goldsmiths students also have easy access to places like Shoreditch, Hoxton and Dalston. These areas attract a young, creative crowd who flock to its many music and arts venues. There are late nights out on offer throughout the week, with many bars and clubs putting on nights especially for students.

Read more at gold.ac.uk/area-guides

DaryletaudarG acwohs s e • Graduate showcas e •

From being part of the community to helping others within it

Community and youth work graduate Daryl was a local mature student looking for a way to give back to the nearby area. “I grew up attending youth clubs when I was young,” he explains, “and I realised the impact that youth workers had on me as a person”.

While studying he found that “the prevalent approach for youth workers is that it’s a journey – you’re bringing others up to where you are”. From group work sessions to supportive lecturers creating equality between teachers and students, Daryl learned a lot personally and academically on his course. Daryl says this was enhanced by the placement opportunities he was given, with field work experience helping him to figure out what he wanted to do. He says: “The placements gave me an enlightened look into how community and youth work organisations are so varied. That really helped me work out what I felt I was good at.” Since graduating in 2017, Daryl has focused his career on youth work, and is now Senior Youth Supervisor at The Blue Youth Centre in Bermondsey, a local organisation offering a safe and fun space for young people in the area.

Daryl not only supports their community during work hours – he was also a big part of

the local music scene. He occasionally gigged in New Cross and nearby while studying and has continued every now and then since graduating. Daryl strongly recommends being an active part of the cultural scene: “For those who are coming into New Cross, they’ll be spoilt for choice. I’ve had no need to move out of this area, because I’ve got everything I need here.”

Daryl’s creativity doesn’t stop there, he’s also a keen cook and robot builder! Both of which he’s combined with the skills he learned while studying to make an impact in his work. Daryl has competed in Robot Warsstyle competitions with his homemade antweight (weighing 150g and under) robots, and he’s taught the young people he works with how to make them too. “They find it a lot of fun”, he explains. “It’s a novelty, but also it’s a good way for young people – particularly those who have a less than privileged background – to get into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.”

This ethos of giving back and helping others was a big part of what Daryl took from his degree. “The key word is community,” he says, “and community always comes together to make sure that everyone feels supported.”

The placements gave me an enlightened look into how community and youth work organisations are so varied.

Big ideas Cosy campus

The Goldsmiths campus is a bustling place. Wander through the corridors and you’ll hear theatre students rehearsing, see art students carrying work from their studios, and read flyers for the latest events that are taking place. Its mix of contrasting architectural styles creates a special place, where different experiences and ideas are shared.

The Library

With areas for individual and group study, Special Collections, and an events programme, our Library is very popular with students across all subjects. You can access reading and audio-visual materials, and attend academic support workshops to learn more about things like managing your workload and presenting. If you have any questions, your subject librarian will be happy to help.

Support on campus

Our Student Support Services can offer information, advice and guidance for all aspects of being a student at Goldsmiths – whether that’s wellbeing, counselling, housing and money advice; general advice and support; or setting up disability adjustments. Our Multi-Faith Chaplaincy offers support to all students, whether religious or not. It offers activities during the week, confidential pastoral care, and spaces for prayer and reflection. Find out more about all of this at gold.ac.uk/students

Deptford Town Hall

This Grade II-listed building is one of the most historic on campus, having been opened in 1905 as the Town Hall of the former Borough of Deptford. It was acquired by Goldsmiths in 1998. Inside and outside it reflects the area’s maritime connections, and on its front stand four statues with links either to Britain’s role in slavery or the colonial system that supported it. This symbolic decoration raises difficult questions about how to deal with historic celebrations of those who wielded imperial power, subjugating other nations and enslaving their people. Following a public consultation, the College has decided the statues will remain in place with explanation panels, a public engagement programme and a grant for local artists of colour. Find out more at explore.gold/statues

From lectures to late-night Library sessions, all of your teaching and support takes place on a single-site campus

Top spots around Goldsmiths

The College Green

This lush spot is the perfect place to meet friends or play sports on a warm day.

Thirty Five

A stylish café at the heart of the campus.

First floor of the Professor Stuart Hall (PSH) Building

The mezzanine here offers comfy seating and panoramic views of the campus.

Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA)

Our own public gallery hosts exhibitions and talks from world-class artists.

Cinema

This 101-seat cinema room is used to show student work.

‘The Squiggle’

This two-storey metal sculpture sits on the top of the Ben Pimlott Building and dominates the New Cross skyline.

The Refectory

Catch up with friends for lunch in our foodcourt-style canteen. From roasts to wraps, there’s lots of choice to keep everyone happy.

St James Hatcham

A former church that holds student exhibitions and creative computing labs.

PSH Café

This café serves hot and cold food in a spectacular light-filled atrium.

Anthropology Garden

A peaceful spot that includes an allotment where students grow fruit and vegetables.

Take a virtual tour and explore our campus from wherever you are at virtualtours.gold.ac.uk

The Students’ Union

goldsmithssu.org

In the heart of the Goldsmiths campus sits the Students’ Union (SU) Building. It’s a place for all students at the university to meet and relax.

The organisation is available to support and represent anyone who needs it while they’re studying. Everyone who joins Goldsmiths automatically becomes a member of the Union, and has access to its services. These include:

• Student-run societies, covering everything from film making to fashion, and politics to poetry

• A café, and a bar with pool tables and a balcony

• Social events held during the day and evenings, including club nights

• Student-run media: a magazine and radio station

• Sports clubs, including teams that compete locally and nationally, and those that meet for fun and fitness

• Campaigning on issues such as housing and anti-racism on campus

• A confidential, non-judgmental advice service

• Representation for students in dealing with the university

Kocoa

Spreading inspiration as an SU officer, community leader and radio DJ

Each year, Goldsmiths students vote to elect sabbatical and part-time officers to the Union. The latter are volunteers who support and represent the interests of specific groups of students. Third-year Kocoa Brown is one such volunteer – she has previously been the Mature Students Officer and Women’s Officer, and has organised music events for the Union. She’s now the Student Community Leader for her academic department, which has furthered her love of inclusion. “Being involved makes you feel great,” says Kocoa. “You already know what your passions are – you run with your passions. The rest slots into place.”

Kocoa grew up in nearby Lewisham, and always had a desire to come to the university, although as a Black girl finishing school in 1976 she says that wasn’t even a conversation anyone had with her. She worked as a singer and musician as well as with young people before she finally began a BMus Popular Music degree at Goldsmiths. But Kocoa sees many positives to coming to university as a mature student, with all the experience she has gained. “I’ve done it the other way around, but in a lot of ways I’m really glad, because otherwise I

would have been fixed in somebody else’s perception of how I should play and how I should perform.”

Kocoa is proud of her radio show Aspirational Women, which was launched on student-run station Wired and has since moved to the radio arm of NX Records (the label run by the Department of Music and Accidental Records). “I like to promote women. There are women around you that might surprise you by what they do and can do. I’ve got a nice little listenership. I thought it was going to be all women but I have men as well. They add something incredible to the conversation too.” Kocoa is also on the verge of finishing ‘Aspirational Women’ –the book.

Her desire to keep learning, performing, and welcoming new opportunities makes Kocoa an inspirational woman – not just for the university-wide students she represents, but also the people on her course. “I’ve got really good relationships with the younger students and they’ve embraced me. There’s a beautiful exchange and everybody’s open. It’s wonderful because that’s how we stay relevant – that’s how we stay vibrant.”

Move to university Feel like you’re at home

Whether you want to live in our halls of residence or elsewhere, we have teams in place to support you

Studying in an exciting city like London is an unbeatable experience. And it’s even better when you know you’re living somewhere convenient, safe and affordable.

We have a range of accommodation options – whether you prefer halls of residence on or near campus, or more independent living that lets you mix with a wider London student population. Our Campus Support Officers and Residence Life team help ensure that, whether you’re living in halls or at home, everyone can get involved in our lively and friendly community.

Halls of residence

There are around 1,400 rooms available in our halls of residence – either around New Cross, or a short bus or train ride away, enabling you to live in different areas of London.

Our accommodation is self-catered, and usually made up of single en suite bedrooms within shared flats. Some studio flats and accommodation for couples (if both people are full-time students) are also available. Halls of residence are either managed by Goldsmiths or in partnership with a private provider.

Your rent includes all electricity, water and heating bills, basic possessions insurance and internet access. For 2022-23, weekly rent ranged from £157.34-£336.14. All residents have access to out-of-hours support via our Campus Support team, helping provide a friendly and welcoming living environment.

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls to all international students in their first year, as long as applications are made by the advertised deadlines.

On pages 6-7 you can view the locations of our halls of residence. Explore them all at explore.gold/halls

Privately rented homes and private halls

Want to maintain your independence? Renting privately can be a good option because you can decide where to live and who you share with. New Cross is a transport hub, so if you rent here you’ll not only be close to campus but also well connected to other parts of the capital. Many Goldsmiths students rent together in areas nearby – with popular spots being Brockley, Peckham and Camberwell.

There are also privately managed halls near campus. As a Goldsmiths student you’ll have access to the experts at the University of London Housing Services (ULHS) who can support your private accommodation search. Find out more at gold.ac.uk/accommodation/private

Helping to create a warm student

Linda is one of several Residence Experience Coordinators (part of the Residence Life team) at Goldsmiths.

She works for the university across our halls of residence, putting on events for students and making sure that there’s a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone.

“We have games and activities for students to help them get to know each other, plus more relaxed events like watching a movie or doing crafts,” she explains. “Anything involving free food is always popular! We’ve had pizza parties, breakfast get-togethers, and events themed around occasions like Christmas and Diwali. We’ve also teamed up with societies in the SU (Students’ Union) like the Knitting Society and the Jazz Improvisation group, and we’ve organised art exhibitions where students have showcased their work.”

Linda has a BA Media and Communications degree from Goldsmiths and has recently completed a Masters here. She lived in halls herself during her first year, and says that having had this experience herself means she’s better able to support students.

“The Residence Experience Coordinators are that go-between – between the staff in the accommodation office and the students. The fact that we’re also students is good, because they can relate to us,” she explains.

Linda is Italian and moved to Goldsmiths from Milan after coming to an Open Day. “Something just clicked – when I walked along the corridors, I could picture myself here. And I spoke to so many students who were all super lovely. So I decided then that I wanted to come. And I don’t regret it. I’ve never regretted it.”

community

We have games and activities for students to help them get to know each other.

From dark rooms, to ‘tickling lights’ We have the kit to support your studies

Many of our departments boast industry-standard equipment and dedicated spaces so you can develop your skills and creative practice

Art

All art students have their own studio space for the entire length of their degree, and these are mixed across year levels to encourage peer-group learning. The Department of Art has many specialist practice areas that complement traditional art disciplines: casting; woodwork; metal; ceramics; constructed textiles; fine art printmaking; graphics and time-based media; photography; print and dye; stitch and fabric and 3D printing. Each practice area is staffed with experienced technicians to support students.

Computing

The department’s specialist rooms and equipment enable students and academics to create work, and form friendships and collaborations. The digital fabrication and physical computing labs (see pages 20-21), are housed in a converted 19th-century church. They are equipped to replicate a modern commercial digital studio. There is also a sonics immersive media laboratory, with industry-standard sound, lighting and video technologies, and a motion capture suite for explorations with virtual reality.

Design

Studio space is provided to all design students, and they are encouraged to use this to build a studio culture of collaborative practice and peer-to-peer learning. The Department of Design has its own dedicated practice labs, staffed by experienced and supportive tutors. Labs include: a ceramics area; moulding and casting workshop; wood workshop; plastic fabrication lab; textiles lab, with facilities for sewing, digital embroidery, screen printing and vinyl cutting; metal workshop; digital fabrication lab, including laser cutting, 3D printing, scanning and CNC routing/milling machinery.

Media & Communications

Teaching is primarily in the purpose-built Professor Stuart Hall Building, where you’ll find industry-standard production facilities. Depending on your course, you’ll have access to over 100 professional camera and audio kits. Film and television facilities include 20 edit suites, a TV studio, audio post-production suites, and a calibrated screening room. We also offer photography studios, darkrooms and a digital print lab, digital radio studios and edit rooms, animation rostrums, illustration studios, and nine digital media labs.

Music

Students in the Department of Music benefit from suites of practice rooms and a recital hall complete with a Steinway Model D concert piano. Goldsmiths Music Studios has three large recording spaces with natural light and variable acoustics. The main control room is based around a 48-channel vintage Calrec console and supports both analogue and digital recording. It also features a large collection of new and vintage microphones, amplifiers, outboard and synthesisers. The Electronic Music Studio (EMS), has a suite of working areas including six studios, a live room, and a recently developed installation space. The EMS is used for teaching as well as recording.

Psychology

The Department of Psychology is home to a lot of fascinating research that requires specialist equipment, such as EEGs, brain stimulation suites, mobile neuroimaging tools, and eyetracking technology. The Infant Lab, which studies the cognitive development of babies and children, uses infant EEG and ‘tickling light’ tactile sensors along with other equipment to help understand young childhood behaviour. Undergraduates often assist with research, and there are many opportunities to take part in studies and experiments.

Theatre & Performance

Dedicated facilities include six studios, and costume (see page 41) and scenography workshops. Our George Wood Theatre recently had a multi-million-pound refurbishment, and holds flexible seating for up to 140, plus industrystandard lighting and sound equipment. The department also has a media lab with a bespoke recording booth and video- and sound-editing facilities.

Susan

Drama and Theatre Arts graduate Susan spent a lot of time in the costume workshop during her studies. Although she opted to focus on acting in her final year, Susan specialised in costume during her second year.

“There are always fascinating things around the room that people have been doing,” she says. “There are sewing machines and massive desks where you do the paperwork and woodwork –there’s whole areas just for spray painting! I think it’s really cool.”

One of the positives of the degree for Susan was that she could try out different specialisms within theatre, meaning that she graduated having learned about directing and acting, but also technical aspects like costume design, sound and lighting.

“When I was studying costume I got a really in-depth view. I would record myself and post it on social media, and people thought I was doing a fashion degree – that’s how good it was.”

Susan’s favourite place on campus was the College Green, just outside the theatre department. It provided her and her classmates with a space to relax between lessons and rehearsals. “We’d have food, and there’d be people playing football or playing catch. It was a really nice place to chill out.”

She adds: “From the first time I came to Goldsmiths I just really liked the community. And I really liked the vibe. Because you have everything you need around you.”

There are always fascinating things around the room that people have been doing... I think it’s really cool.

Thinking ahead From day one

At Goldsmiths we want to help you prepare for life after you graduate, whether you want to study further or get into work

Some people start university with their heart set on a particular career, while others keep an open mind about where university will take them. We can help you discover the different routes your future could take.

Our Careers Service

We have a very active Careers team at Goldsmiths that is focused on helping you gain skills and new experiences as well as offering you expert advice. You can access support including one-to-one appointments with careers consultants, skills webinars, CV checks, practice interviews, and there are resources where you can search for jobs. gold.ac.uk/study/careers-support

Entrepreneurial guidance, real-world skills

Maybe you want to start a business or go freelance? Goldsmiths is one of the top three universities for producing business founders (Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance study, 2021), so you’ll be in good hands. Our Careers team can help with practical webinars, enterprise competitions and grants, one-to-one advice and entry to enterprise networks, so you can test out your ideas and meet like-minded people.

The Gold Award

As a Goldsmiths student you’ll have the opportunity to complete The Gold Award, a programme designed to help you identify your skills, develop new ones, and gain experiences through co-curricular activities – from volunteering to mentoring.

Become a Student Ambassador

If you want to gain work experience during your studies, becoming a Student Ambassador is a great way to gain employability skills during your degree, and to find out more about the things you enjoy doing. You’ll have the chance to earn a competitive hourly rate and work across a broad range of activities at Goldsmiths.

Get out into industry

Many of our programmes offer the opportunity to take an industry placement. These are a fantastic way for you to develop skills and build a network of useful contacts. Read what Daryl learned during his placements on pages 30-31.

We also set up a variety of internships: on campus, in research, and in small businesses and start-ups.

Even if you don’t take a placement or internship, we run regular careers fairs, networking events and industry panels where you can hear from professionals working in a variety of sectors.

What our graduates do

The top five industries that Goldsmiths alumni currently work in are:

1. Arts

2. Education

3. Media, communications and publishing

4. Healthcare and wellbeing

5. Digital and technology

I’ve no doubt that the degree played a large role in my ability to find a job so quickly after graduation. I have already put the skills and knowledge gathered from my time at Goldsmiths to good use, working for Royal Museums Greenwich.

Isabelle, from the USA BA Arts Management

Some of the top employers of our alumni include the BBC, NHS, Sony, Tate, and Google. This information has been collected from updates provided by our graduates. Read more about our alumni community at gold.ac.uk/alumni

The latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in July 2022, asked students about their progress 15 months after leaving university. The survey found 80% of Goldsmiths graduates in highly skilled work – matching the UK average for all universities. Read more at explore.gold/careers-gos

etaudarG sacwohs e • Graduate showcas e •

Korinna

Creating change and inspiring others

Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Korinna has been in business since the age of 15, but her focus on creating real social change through her work developed while studying a politics and economics degree at Goldsmiths. “You just can’t avoid wanting to make change – that hunger is there to be like ‘we can make a difference!’”, she says. Korinna embraces this spirit to this day as CEO of Shadow to Shine, a charity that works to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds find work experience and develop employability skills.

Korinna’s own experiences were like those of the young people she works with today: “I’m from a council estate; none of my family had been to uni.” However, she felt comfortable at Goldsmiths and embraced the extracurricular opportunities she found while studying. Korinna became a Student Ambassador, a scheme designed to provide work opportunities for Goldsmiths students on campus while they study. She loved the experience, saying: “Being a Student Ambassador kick-started my career.” One of her ambassador roles involved working with Goldsmiths’ Development and Alumni Office,

eventually leading to a full-time role after graduating. She was encouraged by her manager to take part in a graduate scheme, but entrepreneurial Korinna had another calling. Inspired by self-made entrepreneur Becky Fatemi, Korinna decided to pitch her business idea to her. Korinna bravely quit her job and collaborated with Becky to co-found Shadow to Shine. Four years later, Korinna and Becky are still working together and Shadow to Shine has helped over 300 young people. The positive change Korinna’s business creates still amazes her: “When I see a young person and they’ve gone from no confidence –and maybe getting in trouble with the law – to starting their own brand, it’s major.”

Korinna hasn’t stopped there. Her desire to create social impact has extended to two more inspiring businesses. Korinna is one of the co-founders developing a new app called Black Book, to help people who may not have work experience – but still have talent to share – showcase their work. “We’ve created a platform that is essentially like a disruptive tool to find creative talent,” she explains. The app is currently in its pre-launch phase, but the exciting project has

Being a Student Ambassador kick-started my career.

already caught the eye of celebrity investor Maya Jama, and Korinna hopes it will help change how young people find work in the future.

Last but not least, Korinna is working on a brand new project called NeuroDoes, which aims to help neurodiverse Black women connect and support each other. This project is close to Korinna’s heart: “I found out that I was neurodiverse when I was 23. So, I went through uni without knowing this – we’ve created this platform to enable other neurodiverse women to thrive.” It’s another example of how Korinna is making positive social change for a better future. While her career may not directly relate to her degree, Korinna attributes her focus on business with a social purpose to her time at Goldsmiths. She explains: “As long as you can hold onto that Goldsmiths spirit of ‘let’s make a change’, then I can see why Goldsmiths grads become CEOs and business owners. You look around the world and think ‘I don’t like any of this’ – so if you don’t want to work anywhere, the only option really is to just create your own opportunities.”

Graduate showcase

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I wouldn’t have ended up as this person had I not gone to Goldsmiths.

“I look back on Goldsmiths as a lifechanging experience,” explains Johnny, who graduated from an English literature degree in 2014. “I’m really happy and comfortable with who I am today, but I wouldn’t have ended up as this person had I not gone to Goldsmiths.” Johnny puts this down to meeting so many people who had artistic, musical or societal interests, and who opened up the possibility of thinking in different ways. “It was the best thing I could have done in terms of expanding my world view,” he says.

Goldsmiths also exposed Johnny to alternatives to the traditional career paths that had been presented at his school and sixth form. “I just knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do,” he explains. After graduating, Johnny worked in the advertising department at The Guardian, and at marketing insights company Contagious. But he says his career properly started when he got a job as Brand Partnerships Manager at live music streaming platform, Boiler Room, getting brands to sponsor shows. “It was my absolute dream job at the time,” he says.

This led him to his current position at football culture publisher, VERSUS. Following a role as Brand Partnerships Director, he’s recently been promoted to Head of Partnerships. “We work with everyone from Nike to Adidas, and Dr Martens to Visa, when they have a product coming out or a big brand story they want to tell,” explains Johnny. “We have a young, diverse, progressive football audience that these brands want to speak to. So my job is trying to connect the brands with our audience in interesting ways – through making a film, photoshoots, written editorial, events, podcasts… a whole range of things, really.”

Johnny has been at the forefront of widening the reach of VERSUS beyond the commercial, recognising that there was an opportunity to explore how football intersects with wider culture and society, and where the possibilities for social impact lie. “In 2020 you suddenly had the murder of George Floyd, which sparked the biggest global civil rights movement of all time,” remembers Johnny.

“At VERSUS we suddenly found ourselves at the forefront of the conversation around football and race. And as the year went on, we then used that as a platform to talk about football and sustainability, access to football for the LGBTQ+ community, and women’s football. Once we made that pivot we’ve also been very successful commercially, because of course when it comes to brands they want to have that socially conscious angle to the work that they do, and VERSUS feels like a natural home for that. I’m only 29 years old, so it might be a grand thing to say, but I look at what I’ve done at VERSUS and the impact we’ve been able to have on football culture in the UK, and it’s well beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve achieved much more than I ever thought I’d have been able to.”

Alongside his day job, Johnny also has a “side hustle” managing Mercury Prize and MOBO Award-nominated Lewisham music artist, Novelist. They first connected when Johnny was working at Boiler Room, and a few years later Novelist approached him for representation. “I’ve ended up in this position where I now have one foot in music – which I love –and the other foot in football and the culture around it,” says Johnny. “I truly believe that career-wise I couldn’t have it any better.”

Graduate showcas

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Sara

Sara has been writing stories since she was a child, and finished her first novel aged 15. She’d originally considered doing a creative writing degree at university, but in the end opted to study comparative literature. “I think the basis for writing is studying and comparing loads of different texts,” Sara says, “so the degree really helped with my writing”. “I felt a real connection to Goldsmiths,” Sara remembers. “It had a studenty buzz and a creative atmosphere, and the lecturers and tutors were very open to exploring new ideas. I think that made me more of an open-minded person.”

After graduating in 2014, Sara undertook a paid traineeship with Spread The Word, a writer development agency based in London. “It was a scheme for people of colour that wanted to be writers or get into publishing,” she explains, “and me and two other people got funding to create our own online magazine”. Sara developed key skills in editing and running a regular publication, and she also undertook work experience that created useful professional connections.

“After that I got a job as an Editorial Assistant at HarperCollins within the Mills & Boon imprint, which is the UK’s number one publisher of romance fiction,” says Sara. “I think usually in that role you’d mainly be doing admin, but because they publish so many books I ended up editing and having my own authors within six months. I really developed my editorial skills.”

While working there, Sara was also writing a book, having enrolled in an evening class at Faber Academy to spur her on. She was soon signed by an agent, and then got a two-book deal at Penguin – the same week she was offered a job there!

“I went to Penguin Random House children’s books, which was always my dream job,” Sara explains. She progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor within a few years: “I was juggling my job – where I was working closely with authors on their books – with writing my own novels.”

Sara’s first book, ‘The Mismatch’, came out in 2021. “Seeing it in bookshops was an amazing experience,” she remembers.

From studying literature to becoming a published writer

Her second novel – ‘People Change’ –is on the verge of being published in the UK, and will launch in the US next year.

Sara recently made the decision to go freelance to concentrate on writing her third book. She balances this alongside freelance editing work for clients including Penguin and individual authors. “It’s a good way to get an extra stream of income,” explains Sara. “I also do speaking events – like workshops on how to write romance

fiction, or advice for aspiring authors. I’ve got loads of different things going on.” Another example of this is Token magazine, which Sara started several years ago and continues to run. “I thought I’d do an open call-out for underrepresented writers and artists to send their work in, and I got around 100 submissions. So I created my own magazine!”, she explains. The next issue will be out later this year.

Thinking about the future, Sara’s main focus will be her writing. “I’m at the point where I’d like to be a more prolific author and have a real career out of writing books,” she says.

This ties into the advice she’d give to anyone thinking of coming to Goldsmiths to study: “Give yourself the permission to think big and want to do as many things as you can! Goldsmiths is the perfect place to go if you’re a creative person. I really loved it and couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.”

The lecturers and tutors were very open to exploring new ideas.

“What motivates me is the potential to have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives,” explains Checan, who completed a BA Politics degree in 2014. He has certainly done that since graduating. He was a Strategic Communications Manager in the Cabinet Office during the Covid pandemic, running the marketing campaign for the UK’s furlough scheme, and working on global vaccine confidence with organisations like the World Health Organisation and United Nations.

Checan credits Goldsmiths with encouraging him to break out of conventional ways of thinking. This catalysed his interest in international studies, and the experiences of countries beyond the UK. “I now have a much broader set of perspectives and tools through which to look at the world,” he explains. These skills have been regularly put to use in his working life. As part of the Cabinet Office role he was posted to the Western Balkans, delivering campaigns on issues such as election turnouts – so his cultural understanding and ability to see things differently has been invaluable. “I’ve had to sometimes quite quickly adapt things for different contexts,” says Checan. “Being able to think critically, take insights from different audiences around the world, and turn that into something you can action has probably been the most important skill in my career. Feeling like I could contribute ideas, lead projects, and brief ministers and ambassadors has also been really useful experience to build on.”

Checan is now working at the Wellcome Trust – one of the biggest global health foundations in the world – in another strategic communications role. “A lot of my work is about trying to link what Wellcome is doing on things like infectious disease, or their massive discovery research programme, and think about the communications engagement and influencing objectives within that,” he explains. There’s a focus on advocating for government and those in power to make sure that health outcomes are fair across the world, and encouraging the engagement of researchers from under-represented regions globally. “We’re also trying, in the post-pandemic world, to make sure that countries are better prepared for outbreaks of infectious disease, and we’re thinking about how that interlinks with the climate as well – making the link between climate and health more visible for people.”

The politics degree made Checan more of “a person who likes to challenge things and spot opportunities, and change the way things have been done” – an approach that he’s bringing to the role at Wellcome. “It’s great to be that conduit to really turn things on their head and ask why we’re doing things in certain ways,” Checan says. “Are there alternatives to best be inclusive and equitable, and to make sure we’re global in our approach?” He feels more confident to make these positive changes thanks to his experience at Goldsmiths.

I now have a much broader set of perspectives and tools through which to look at the world.

After experiencing a lack of support at secondary school, Michelle was a little nervous about starting at Goldsmiths, particularly as a mature student who hadn’t been sure that university was right for her. “But I came to Goldsmiths with an open mind, and the lecturers were so supportive – I felt like they really cared about me as a person,” she explains.

Michelle found herself growing in confidence during her education studies degree. “At school I would tend to blend into the background,” she remembers. “I was quite shy – I never used to put my hand up or ask questions. But at Goldsmiths I felt like I could really do that, and I found myself joining in discussions.” Part of that confidence came from feeling at home. “I felt completely comfortable, like I wasn’t being judged,” Michelle explains. “It was very inclusive, very open.” She also made some great connections with other students: “From day one I met some people who’ve become my closest friends.”

During her studies, Michelle undertook cat-sitting jobs to earn money in a less hectic environment than the retail and bar work she’d done previously.

“I was able to bring my laptop and uni books with me and get my assignments finished, and spending time with the cats was really therapeutic,” she says. This experience gave Michelle the inspiration for the business that she set up following

her graduation in 2017. “I’d always had this entrepreneurial fire inside of me, and I’d always wanted to start a company,” says Michelle. “The cat-sitting was really taking off, and I had a lot of clients, so I started Chatty Cats Care. At first it was just me, but now I have around 60 cat sitters working for me. Most of them are university students, some from Goldsmiths! It’s the perfect student job.”

An unintentional effect of Chatty Cats is that it has brought together like-minded people. “I’ve created this amazing community of cat lovers, from the clients to the actual cat sitters,” explains Michelle. “I even created a podcast as a passion project during the Covid lockdown, The Catmaste Chronicles, focusing on how pets contribute to our wellbeing. It took off really well, and was one of iTunes’ top 10 podcasts in several countries for a while.”

Michelle has only positive things to say about the impact that Goldsmiths had on her and her business. “I had a lot of self-doubt before university,” she remembers, “and I had no idea that I could ever achieve something like this. Studying at Goldsmiths gave me the confidence to believe that I could start a company and make it successful, and I’ve been able to apply a lot of the things I learned there into running my own business, which has been really beneficial.”

Studying at Goldsmiths gave me the confidence to believe that I could start a company.

Grace

Making

for career success

English graduate Grace came to Goldsmiths partly because she was “desperate to come to London”, having grown up in rural Cornwall where the nearest bus stop was three miles away. She threw herself into the student nights and culture of the capital, and enjoyed the step up from further education. She says: “At secondary school and college it had felt like you were learning to be good at exams, rather than learning to think independently and critically, which was fostered at Goldsmiths.”

A defining moment came when Grace took a creative writing module in her third year. Her seminar leader had just published a book, and encouraged Grace to get in touch after graduation if she needed any advice. “I did, and she approached her publishing contacts for me,” Grace explains. This “really positive moment” set the wheels in motion for a series of roles at several publishers, and – just 10 years after graduating – Grace has recently been promoted to Deputy Publicity Director at Little Brown Book Group, and is going to be working as Acting Director of Literary Publicity this year while her manager is on maternity leave.

Grace acknowledges that publishing can be quite an “opaque” industry in that it’s sometimes tricky to know about the different jobs within it until you get a foot in the door. So what does she do in her role? “Basically, I’m a publicist for books and authors,” she explains. “This could include dealing with the press –

trying to get book reviews, lining up author interviews, and getting features written – or working with the broadcast media, trying to get the author on TV or radio. There are also loads of wonderful book bloggers and influencers out there, which is really useful if you’re struggling to get press.” The industry has changed a lot in recent years with the rise of social media, including #BookTok on TikTok. “Our company has had some massive bestsellers just from having books go viral on there,” she says.

Grace also lines up author events and accompanies authors on publicity tours where they might speak at international literary festivals and appear on popular television programmes. She’s represented authors including Celeste Ng, Ronan Farrow (who wrote ‘Catch and Kill’, the exposé of Harvey Weinstein), Delia Owens and Armando Iannucci.

When thinking about advice for anyone considering coming to Goldsmiths, Grace emphasises the importance of making use of the Careers Service, and doing as much work experience as you can – as it’s one of the best ways of figuring out the path that would best suit you. “Work experience – or getting to talk to people in industry, and learning what different jobs entail – is so important,” she explains. Ultimately, university is also a time to have fun and explore different opportunities. “Just throw yourself into university life and enjoy it!”, recommends Grace.

Work experience –or getting to talk to people in industry –is so important.

What next?

Find out more

Check gold.ac.uk/course-finder for detailed information about our degrees and entry requirements. There’s also lots of advice about choosing your next steps in our Guide to University at gold.ac.uk/ug/goldsmiths-university-guide

There are lots of ways to get in touch with questions, including by live chat. gold.ac.uk/study/contact

Visit us

We typically run undergraduate Open Days in the autumn term (September–November) and in the summer (June). Please check the website for dates and for other ways you can look at our campus, including via our virtual tour. gold.ac.uk/open-days

Apply

Full-time degrees: All students, whether from the UK or overseas, apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply to a maximum of five higher education institutions. ucas.com

You will also need to supply the following information:

• Institution name

• UCAS code – this differs by programme; you can find this information on each degree page of our website

Part-time degrees: These are open to students from the UK, and those who do not require a visa to study in the UK. Apply directly by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button on the relevant degree page of our website at gold.ac.uk/ug/apply

Fees

The fees, per year, for full-time undergraduate degrees in 2023–24 are:*

• £9,250 Home (UK and most Irish students)

• £18,440-£25,820 International (this includes EU students)

The fees for International Foundation Certificates in 2023-24 are:

• £15,800-£16,740

*Please note, some fees are still to be confirmed at the time of printing this Guide.

The latest information can be found at gold.ac.uk/ug/fees-funding

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships, bursaries and fee waivers for students. These offer additional financial support for your studies, and they don’t have to be paid back.

You can use the handy Scholarships Finder tool on our website to see what you may be eligible to apply for at gold.ac.uk/fees-funding/scholarships

Visas and immigration

The Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) at Goldsmiths provides UK visa advice and guidance to all international students for the full cycle of their studies – from pre-arrival in the UK to graduation. This includes help obtaining a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to make a valid student visa application from overseas and in the UK, and advice on applying for post-study UK visas.

Find contact details and more online at gold.ac.uk/immigration

Printed by Gemini Print.

Original design by the Communications, Marketing and Recruitment team at Goldsmiths.

Portrait photography © Julia Schönstädt schonstadt.com and © Nathan Clarke nathanclarkephotography.co.uk

Thank you to the other photographers, artists and designers whose work is shown, including BA Design graduate Annie Kruntcheva.

Images in this publication of current students and alumni have been taken with their permission. If you have any concerns about an image in this publication, their use, and your rights, please email the Communications, Marketing and Recruitment team at cmr@gold.ac.uk

Images:

Linton Kwesi Johnson page 9 © Bryan Ledgard, and licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 via Wikimedia Commons; British Museum on page 24 © Hugh Chevallier and licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/2.0; KOKO, Camden Town, NW1 on p22 © Ewan Munro, and licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/2.0 via Flickr.

The campus boundary on pages 6-7 is approximate.

Please note that some of the department facilities listed may be subject to booking, availability or only available to students that are taking certain modules.

Equality and diversity

Goldsmiths is passionate about advancing equality and celebrating diversity. You can find out more at gold.ac.uk/equality-diversity

Disclaimer

We have made every effort to ensure the content of this publication is up to date as of January 2023. If you receive an offer to study with us, you will be sent a set of terms and conditions governing our relationship with you. This includes things like what happens if the information we’ve already provided to you changes. Goldsmiths does not accept liability for the accuracy or reliability of any information contained within third-party publications/websites referred to or signposted to in this Guide.

You can read our most up-to-date disclaimer at gold.ac.uk/disclaimer

We hope that you will apply to study at Goldsmiths, and in the event that you are offered a place of study, acceptance of your offer will form a student contract. Before you accept any offer, you should read the offer together with the documents that make up your contract (usually provided with the offer letter), which can be found at gold.ac.uk/ governance/students/student-contract © Goldsmiths, University of London 2023

The copyright in these pages belongs to Goldsmiths, University of London, and all rights are reserved.

Term dates

Autumn term: 23 September – 13 December 2024

Spring term: 13 January – 28 March 2025

Summer term: 28 April – 20 June 2025

Check the latest information at gold.ac.uk/term-dates

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