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Goldsmiths, University of London (UK)

If you're looking to be part of a vibrant, creative community at a campus-based university in the UK, Goldsmiths, University of London is a great option.


Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths is a specialist institution in the fields of social sciences, humanities and creative arts.


Half of the students are students of color, and 45 percent are first generation university students.


On top of this, Goldsmiths also happens to be generally test-optional for American students.


Here are some of the highlights from my visit!


Richard Hoggart Building
Richard Hoggart Building

Campus & Academics


Goldsmiths is located in southeast London in the artsy and eclectic neighborhood of New Cross.


Main entrance
Main entrance
Student band
Student band

It has some of the most unique buildings I've seen on a UK campus, such as a converted church that houses student exhibitions, pop up shows as well as woodworking and 3D printing labs for students on the super unique Arts and Computing course.


St James Hatcham Building
St James Hatcham Building
Student exhibitions
Woodworking space
Students designing touchscreens
Students designing touchscreens

With 9,800 students, Goldsmiths is on the smaller side for UK institutions, allowing students to be part of a closer knit community.


It also has one of the longest-running programs for English & Creative Writing.


This program is particularly known for its graduate outcomes, with four undergraduate dissertations recently published as novels (this is unusual at the undergrad level!).


The heart of campus
The heart of campus
During Welcome Week, the Green is filled with Society Fairs, freebies, music and fun activities for you to get involved with.
During Welcome Week, the Green is filled with Society Fairs, freebies, music and fun activities

Other highly competitive programs are Fine Art & Design and journalism.


Journalism and communications students
Journalism and communications students
Radio studios
Radio studios
Photography dark room
Photography dark room

I loved how all the studios had tons of natural light.


Woodworking labs
Woodworking printers
Fashion design labs
Fashion design labs
Year 2 workspace
Fine art studios
Final-year design studios
Final-year design studios

The theatre program is small and personalized; professors know students by name.


Whereas some schools might push students into performing, Goldsmiths triages student talent early on and helps them find the right path for them -- which could be in writing, directing or even theatre administration.


One academic even said the perfect student for them would be 'quirky and talented.'


Theatre

In addition to having an artsy vibe, Goldsmiths students are also politically active and tend to be progressive.


Protests
Goldsmiths campus

Outside of classes, the campus is just a nice place to hangout, with multiple food outlets, common areas and green spaces.


Campus cafe
Campus cafe
Lounge spaces
College Green
The Refectory
Students' Union
The Great Hall, a venue for graduations, Open Days, recitals and other events
The Great Hall, a venue for graduations, Open Days, recitals and other events
Courtyard

You can even see central London from the rooftop of one of the buildings!


View of central London

Summary: Goldsmiths, University of London


Like the neighborhood where it's based, Goldsmiths students are artsy, eclectic and creative, coming from all sorts of backgrounds.


With bus stations and the tube nearby, it's really easy to get wherever you need to go.


I personally loved how it has a distinct campus feel whilst not being overwhelmingly large, like most of the other universities in London!


So if you're interested in English and creative writing, journalism, theatre or art and design, Goldsmiths is definitely worth a look.


Main entrance
College Green

 

Interested in applying for college or grad school in the UK?


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G'day! My name is Sara, and I'm the founder of College Apps Abroad and a Certified Educational Planner (CEP), one of only 40 CEP's in California and 300 worldwide. I have more than 10 years of experience working in international recruitment and admissions, and I've studied and lived overseas myself in the UK, Ireland, Australia and Brazil for almost a decade. I've also worked for some of the world's top institutions, including The University of Edinburgh, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and The University of Western Australia (UWA)!

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