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Goldsmiths

UCAS Code: G56

Location: South-east London Show on Map

Site: Single campus in New Cross

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A top UK research-intensive institution, known for innovative approaches. Part of London University and a member of the 1994 Group of universities.

Student Population

Total Students:	9,415
Undergraduates:	63%
Postgraduates:	37%

Undergraduates

Total undergraduates:	5,805
Male:	36%
Female:	64%
Full Time:	88%
Mature on Entry:	52%
UK Students:	83%
State school entry:	91%

Teaching Staff

450 academic and research, 488 visiting and associate tutors.

Broad study areas

Anthropology; art; community & youth work; computing; counselling & therapy; cultural studies; design; drama & theatre arts; education; English; history; history of art; media & communications; music; politics; psychology; social work; sociology.

Freshers

Admission Information:	AS-levels accepted usually in addition to one or more full A-level (or equivalent).
Points on Entry (Mean):	316
Drop Out Rate:	11%
Accommodation:	Majority of first years housed.

Institution

Founded:	1891. Part of London University since 1904.
Site:	Campus in south-east London.
How to get there:	Buses; New Cross Gate and New Cross rail and London Overground stations; Deptford Bridge DLR station.
Special features:	Creative approach to subjects; promotes enterprise and entrepreneurship; diverse student population; strong community feel to the campus.

Student services & facilities

Student advice & services:	Doctors, counsellors, solicitor (via SU), chaplains.
Amenities:	College shop, refectory, coffee bar, café, bank; SU building with facilities centre, bar, coffee bar, nightclub etc.
Sporting facilities:	On-campus gym/fitness centre; practice field on site; tennis courts; sports grounds and playing fields near Sidcup (30 minutes); University of London Union facilities (including swimming pool) in Central London.
Accommodation:	Majority of first years housed, subject to availability and meeting application deadlines; priority given to new full-time students who live beyond London zone 9. Over 1000 places in walking distance of campus (most less than five minutes away), all self-catering; rents £91.50−£202 per week (including bills). Private sector rents locally £82−£120 pw (plus bills).

Study opportunities & careers

Library & information services:	Library of over 225,000 volumes, 2600 periodicals, audio-visual collections and electronic resources, computing facilities and digital media suite; 450 study places. Open until midnight, 7 days a week except in summer vacations (24 hours/day in some periods). Information provision, £111 pa spent for each student (FTE). Tours and demonstrations of equipment in library and information service for new students; IT skills courses. Access to London University Library, Senate House.
Other learning resources:	Virtual learning environment (learn.gold) provides students with course materials, practice assessments and learner support. Wireless hotspots on campus. Departmental facilities include: studio space, specialist research laboratories (casting, constructed textiles, digital media, fine art printmaking, metalwork, photography, print & dye, stitch & fabric, woodwork); workshop facilities (production processes, modelling for mass production, and a computing suite enabling 2D and 3D media, multimedia and CAD); a 160-seat theatre and 4 performance studios; photography studio, radio studio, TV studio, editing suites and video animation facilities.
Study abroad:	Formal exchange links with EU universities and colleges.
Careers:	Information and advice; work experience possible through SU-run student development and volunteering schemes (many award-winning); professional development opportunities including the Gold Award, which can help students recognise and develop the skills and experience employers are looking for; workshop programmes offered by the Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship which help develop enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and encourage students to think creatively about their futures; work placements on some degrees; professional accreditation on completion of some degrees.

Money

Living expenses budget:	Minimum budget of £8000 per academic year (excluding tuition fees) recommended by the college.
Term-time work:	Careers service helps students find part-time work; weekly job opportunities bulletin (JOB) and noticeboard of local vacancies.
Financial help:	Bursaries of £500 pa for students resident in England whose family income is up to £25k pa; of £750 pa for residents of seven local boroughs, whose family income is up to £50k pa; or of £1000 pa for any student from a low-participation neighbourhood with a family income of up to £50k pa. Variety of over 140 scholarships (value £500 to £27,000), some based on income, some for residents of Lewisham, for academic excellence, for specific course, for care leavers, disabled or mature students.
University tuition fees:	Home students pay £9000 pa for first degree courses. International students pay £10,500-£11,100 (classroom), £13,500-£14,600 (lab/studio).

Courses

Academic features:

Interdisciplinary approach to subjects; students encouraged to approach their subjects in creative and unconventional ways and to explore ideas that challenge preconceived boundaries. Many degree courses in combined subjects.

Awarding body:

University of London

Main undergraduate awards:

BA, BMus, BSc.

Length of courses:

3 years; others 4 years (eg those involving work experience, foundation year and extension degrees). Some degree programmes available part-time.

Main subjects offered:

Anthropology
Art
Art History
Communication Studies
Community Studies
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Computing
Creative/Performance Writing
Cultural Studies
Drama
Economics
Education
English
Graphic Design
History
Humanities
Information Systems
Media Studies
Music
Painting
Performance Arts
Politics
Popular Music
Product Design
Psychology
Social Anthropology
Social Science
Social Work
Sociology
Theatre Studies
Three-Dimensional Design
Virtual Design
Visual Arts
Youth & Community Work

Student view

James Haywood (History), President GSU

Living

What’s it like as a place to live? You are right in the heart of the South London community, so you feel deeply embedded within it. There are loads of great gems to be found round New Cross and Lewisham too.

How’s the student accommodation? There’s quite a few student halls around the area, some better than others. Most private accommodation in the area is shared houses.

What’s the student population like? It’s one of the best things about Goldsmiths: fantastically diverse. A huge mix of cultures, religions locals and people from abroad. It won’t be unlikely that you’ll be sitting in a lecture hall with 4 other continents represented in the room.

How do students and locals get on? Both the Students’ Union and the University have focussed on greater community involvement. During the fees protests the bond between the students and the locals was very strong. There are new volunteering opportunities for students with the local football team, Millwall, and their community scheme.

Studying

What's it like as a place to study? As a small college, the facilities are some what limited; however being a University of London college means students get access to other colleges' resources and of course the huge Senate House. The academic quality is exceptional with fantastic lecturers and a general ethos of challenging the status quo and being creative.

What are the teaching staff like? There are no celebrities, just hard working and inspirational academics. Goldsmiths really is a unique place to learn, this isn't going to be your typical university experience.

Socialising

What are student societies like? There's a wide range of societies, though some are super-active while others slow down by Christmas. If you're political there's a lot on offer, and most religious groups are represented. It is also very easy to set up societies. There is a good range of sports clubs, some very successful.

What's a typical night out? There's no such thing as typical at Goldsmiths; it could be falling over yourself in Club Sandwich to packing out the Students' Union to see Tony Benn speak.

And how much does it cost? For central London, the SU is fairly cheap, pubs around New Cross are a bit more varied. However the SU put a lot of free events on.

How can you get home safely? The SU runs a safety night bus scheme for most club nights.

Money

Is it an expensive place to live? Unfortunately being in London means it is not cheap. However being out of central London makes prices slightly easier.

Average price of a pint? £3.50.

And the price of a takeaway? £5.

What's the part-time work situation? The university has an excellent careers service to help find employment. Being in London means lots of part-time work available.

Summary

What's the best feature about the place? Its uniqueness.

And the worst? Although transport is good, it takes a good half an hour to get into central London.

And to sum it all up? The ethos of Goldsmiths is Creative, Unique, Innovative and Radical, and it really is all those things!

Past Students

Linton Kwesi Johnson (poet and musician); Mary Quant (fashion designer); Tessa Jowell, Merlyn Rees (politicians); Colin Welland (actor); Jack Brymer (clarinettist); Graham Sutherland (painter); Malcolm McLaren (former Sex Pistols manager); John Cale (Velvet Underground); Blur; Placebo; Mrs McClusky (Grange Hill); Damien Hirst, Tom Keating, Gillian Wearing (artists); Derek Hatton (politician); Julian Clary (comedian); Antony Gormley(sculptor); Julia Carling (presenter); John Illsley (Dire Straits); Vic Charles (world karate champion).