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Goldsmiths, University of London, formally Goldsmiths College, is a constituent research university of the University of London.[3] It was founded in 1891 as The Goldsmiths’ Technical and Recreational Institute by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in New Cross, London.[4] It was renamed Goldsmiths’ College after it was acquired by the University of London in 1904, and specializes in art, design, computing, humanities and science.[5] The main building on campus, known as Richard Hoggart House, was originally opened in 1844 and was the site of the first Royal Naval Academy.[6][7]
According to Quacquarelli Symonds (2021), Goldsmiths is ranked 12th in Communication and Media, 15th in Art & Design and is in the top 50 in the areas of Anthropology, Sociology and Performing Arts.[8] In 2020, the university enrolled 10,000 students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.[2] 37% of students come from outside the United Kingdom and 52% of all graduates are mature students (those aged 21 or over at the start of their studies).[9] In addition, about a third of the students at Goldsmiths are graduate students.[2]
History
Foundation; Richard Hoggart’s house
In 1891, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, established The Goldsmiths’ Technical and Recreational Institute (commonly referred to as “The Goldsmiths’ Institute”[10]). Goldsmiths was founded in the 12th century as an ancient guild for goldsmiths, silversmiths and goldsmiths. The Livery Company dedicated the foundation of its new Institute to “the promotion of technology, knowledge, health and general well-being among men and women of industry, work and skilled workers”. The first school was based in New Cross on the site of the former Royal Naval Academy; the building, now known as the Richard Hoggart House, remains the main building of the school today.
20th century
Goldsmiths College students at the University of Nottingham in 1944
In 1904, the institution merged with the University of London and was relaunched as Goldsmiths College (the apostrophe was removed in 1993, but the word ‘College’ was included in the rebranding in 2006). Today, Goldsmiths is the largest teaching institution in the country. The training program was later expanded to include a refresher course for teachers, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a Vocational Teacher Certificate course. The college also operates its own nursery school.
Shortly after the merger, in 1907, Goldsmiths added a new Arts building, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, to the rear of the main building. During the Second World War, it was decided to evacuate the faculty and students of the college at the University of Nottingham, a decision that proved wise both at the time and in thinking, since the main building was hit by an incendiary bomb The body collapsed in 1940. (and was not repaired until 1947).
During the 1960s, Goldsmiths experienced rapid growth in student numbers. It was during this period that Goldsmiths began to make a name for itself in the arts and social sciences, as well as offering a number of new training courses. The original main building was extended, and the Lockwood Building, Whitehead Building, Education Building, Warmington Tower and St James’s Hall were all built to accommodate the intake of new students. The university is also home to a number of historic buildings in the surrounding area, including the magnificent original Deptford Town Hall and Laurie Grove Baths. Richard Hoggart House, Deptford Town Hall and Laurie Grove Baths all retain their Grade II listed status.
In 1988, Goldsmiths became a full college of the University of London and in 1990 received a Royal Charter.
21st century
In 2018, the Laurie Grove Baths public baths were renovated as Goldsmiths CCA.
In August 2019, Goldsmiths announced that it would remove all beef products from sale and would charge a 10p tax on bottled water and single-use plastic cups. These changes were introduced as part of the university’s efforts to become carbon neutral by 2025.[11]
Financial crisis and restructuring
In 2019, the Goldsmiths lost Frances Corner as Warden; [12] Teachers and students have always opposed Corner’s administration regarding governance and financial planning.
In January 2020, Goldsmiths proposed to cut costs by 15% over two years in the “Evolving Goldsmiths” plan by reducing departments and management.[13] According to Goldsmiths University and College Union (UCU), the plan does not address the causes of the shortage, which it says is partly due to poor enrollment policies and large budgets. Furthermore, the UCU warned that the reduction in the department will increase the deficit by reducing the income of tuition fees, [14] which amounted to 77% of the college’s income in the budget of 2019-2020. [15] “Evolving Goldsmiths” was “closed” in April 2022.[16] In summer 2020, the UCU proposed selling “unused” assets to build savings; this is not done. Goldsmiths consolidated and restructured its loans from NatWest and Lloyds Bank; The bank required the college to go to KPMG to identify cost savings opportunities.[12]
The “Recovery Plan” of 2021 includes the abolition of Section 52 and the Labor Standards Act. Goldman found additional costs from the COVID-19 and labor shortages have led to increased competition for student supplies after the government removed limits on student numbers.[17] According to the UCU in March 2022, Collage refused to end the layoffs even though the income from voluntary resignations and retention of positions exceeded the bank’s requirements.[18] Administration is placed in the center in 2021-2022; the resulting “crisis” reduced the number of international students enrolled; International students are a major source of income.[19] From 2021, Corner also paid the college almost £20,000 for taxi transport, with £9,000 for personal use.[20]
The “transformation program”, announced at the beginning of 2024, includes the elimination of 132 full-time, or equivalent, positions, or 17% of all employees, reducing some departments by 50%. It is expected that this plan will be completed in September. According to The Guardian newspaper, the scale of the destruction will change the culture of the college significantly.[19]
Campus
Goldsmiths is located in New Cross, a residential area in south-east London.
The main building, the Richard Hoggart House, was designed as a school (opened in 1844) by architect John Shaw, Jr (1803-1870). The original Deptford Town Hall, designed by Henry Vaughan Lanchester and Edwin Alfred Rickards, acquired in 1998, is used for seminars and conferences. In addition to this Goldsmiths built a number of modern buildings to house the school, including the RIBA award-winning Rutherford Building completed in 1997, the Ben Pimlott building designed by Will Alsop and completed in 2005, and the Professor Stuart Hall Building (formerly the School New), completed in 2010.
The library, or Rutherford Building’, has three floors and provides students with access to a wide range of electronic and book materials. Goldsmiths students, like all other students at the University of London, have full access to these collections at Senate House Library in Bloomsbury in central London.
Ben Pimlott’s house
The seven-storey Ben Pimlott building in New Cross Road, complete with unique “writings in the sky” (made from 229 different metals) has become a signature of the modern Goldsmiths. It has studio space and teaching space for the arts department, as well as housing Goldsmiths Digital Studios [21] and the Center for Cognition, Computation and Culture.[22]
Professor Stuart Hall, located next to the green, is home to the Department of Media and Communication and the Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship (ICCE).[23] Formerly the New Academy), in 2014, it was renamed after cultural scholar Stuart Hall.[24][25] Facilities include a 250-seat theater, seminar and lecture rooms, and a cafe with outdoor seating.
Goldsmiths, University of London International Students Admission and Sponsorships
Discover how to apply to Goldsmiths as an International student.
Undergraduate degrees
International students apply for undergraduate degrees through UCAS, the same as Home students. Some courses may ask for specific requirements for International students. You should check individual programme pages to find out what these are.
Read more about the undergraduate application process.
Postgraduate degrees
You’ll apply for postgraduate courses in the same way as Home students. Some courses may ask for specific requirements for International students. You should check individual programme pages to find out what these are.
Read more about the postgraduate application process.
International specific courses
We offer a variety of different courses for International students who want to improve their English before studying with us. Read more on our preparation courses and how to apply for them.
Study abroad
Our Study Abroad programme gives International students the opportunity to live, study and socialise with Goldsmiths students for either a half or full academic year. It’s a great chance for people from different educational systems to gain academic credits from a British university. Read more about applying for our Study Abroad programme.
Take a tour of London through our students favourite places.
More information on applying
Apply through Clearing to join Goldsmiths this September
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