Goldsmiths, University of London

Sited in south-east London, Goldsmiths, University of London is ranked among the world’s Top 100 higher ed institutions for arts and humanities

Affiliated with the University of London, Goldsmiths (estb.1904) is a specialist college offering study programmes in art and design, the humanities and social sciences. Sited in south-east London, it’s ranked among the world’s Top 100 higher education institutions for arts and humanities in the QS World University Rankings 2012-2013 for the third consecutive year. In the UK’s last Research Assessment Exercise (2008), Goldsmiths was ranked ninth for producing world-class research. Its art department is also reputed to be among the most prestigious in the country having produced seven Turner Prize (Tate Gallery) winners. Currently over 10,000 students are enroled in undergraduate and Masters programmes across the departments of art, design, psychology, drama, sociology, music, media and cultural studies, languages and literature, visual cultures, anthropology, educational studies, among other faculties.

“Goldsmiths has a rich heritage of the highest standards of research, teaching and practice. This finds academic expression in a remarkable range of original thinking and innovative interdisciplinary collaborations. Our recent success in the QS World University Rankings, which saw us in the UK’s top 20 universities for arts and humanities and in the UK’s top 30 for social sciences and management, is a testament to our academic success,” says Patrick Loughrey, warden (chief executive officer) of Goldsmiths College.

Goldsmiths, University of London traces its origins to 1891 when the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths set up a Technical and Recreative Institute to provide educational opportunities for the people of London’s New Cross area. In 1904, the University of London acquired the institute and upgraded it to Goldsmiths College.

London. The political, financial and cultural capital of Britain, London (pop. 8.1 million) attracts millions of visitors each year drawn to its wealth of galleries, theatres and museums, palaces, parks and squares, restaurants and shops. For those who believe there’s more to the academic experience than study, London is another city by night. ‘Cosmopolitan’ does not do justice to the number of cuisines available and the range of theatre (West End and fringe), cinemas, music, clubs, pubs, social and cultural events, lectures and discourses on offer.

Goldsmiths is sited in New Cross in south-east London — a 10-minute train ride from the city’s central business district. Described by The New York Times as a hub of creative talent, New Cross has a thriving music and arts scene, a multiplicity of restaurants, and buzzing cafes.

Campus facilities. The college is located on a single-site campus in New Cross with its main Richard Hoggart Building dating back to 1844. Several new structures have been built over the years, offering state-of-the-art academic, sports and recreational facilities. The library housed in Rutherford Building, offers access to over 250,000 volumes, language learning materials and an extensive collection of audio-visual and electronic resources. Goldsmiths students can also borrow books from the University of London library in Bloomsbury.

Nine specialist research laboratories (casting, constructed textiles, digital media, fine art printmaking, metalwork, photography, print and dye, stitch and fabric, and woodwork) and a yarn store are available for art students, in addition to studio spaces. Theatre students benefit from a 160-seat theatre, four performance studios, scenography workshop, wardrobe and props stores, a media studio for video and sound editing and specialist technicians on-site for support. A digital and analogue acquisition for time-based media and photography, radio, TV and photography studios, and computer rooms for student productions are provided. The Great Hall in the Richard Hoggart Building hosts events, concerts and presentation ceremonies.

Sports facilities include tennis and netball courts and a large backfield for football, and the Clubpulse gym with over 90 exercise stations and dance studio. There’s a variety of dining options on campus including Loafers cafe, the Refectory canteen, grab and go services at Taste shop and The POD, and Natura, a vegan and vegetarian cafe in the Students Union building. The Goldsmiths Students Union provides a range of services and development opportunities including clubs, societies, volunteering, student media, representation, advice, meeting rooms, and entertainment.

Admission. All admission applications for undergraduate degree programmes at universities in the UK, including Goldsmiths must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Goldsmiths’ UCAS institution code is G56 and name GOLD. Students can obtain the UCAS application form from their local British Council Library or write to UCAS Application Requests, UCAS, Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Glos. GL52 3LZ (email: [email protected]), or apply online at http://www.ucas.com/apply. The deadline for submission of applications is June 30 for term beginning September.

The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into undergraduate study programmes is successful completion of Plus Two in addition to proficiency in the English language. International students have the option of either submitting IELTS (minimum 6.5), TOEFL (98) or Pearson Test of English Academic (58) scores. For admission into art and design programmes, Goldsmiths also requires applicants to submit a portfolio of their work through e-mail.

Applications for admission into postgraduate degree programmes must be made directly to the college. Minimum requirements are an undergraduate degree and English language proficiency.

For further information contact Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, UK, Tel +44 (0) 20 7919 7702; e-mail: [email protected]; website: www.gold.ac.uk.

Accommodation. Goldsmiths offers over 1,000 places in houses and purpose-built residences within walking distance of the campus. The accommodation consists of single study bedrooms in buildings ranging from converted period houses to more traditional halls of residence with over 800 rooms offering en suite facilities. All accommodation is self-catered, comprising shared kitchens and provides internet access. International students are given priority for accommodation throughout their degree programme.

Degree programmes. Goldsmiths’ academic departments offer a range of bachelor’s and Masters programmes in art and design, computing, humanities and social sciences (see box). It does not offer study programmes in science and engineering.

SUMMIYA YASMEEN