New Cross
London SE14 6NW

Tel 020 7919 7766

admissions@gold.ac.uk

www.goldsmiths.ac.uk

Sunday Times ranking 46 (45)

Teaching excellence 60%

Student satisfaction 71.1%

Head teacher ranking 30 (26)

Peer ranking 43 (30)

Research quality 69.4%

A/AS-level points 305

A-levels for entry 63%

Unemployment 7.4%

Firsts and 2:1s 65.6%

Student/staff ratio 15.8:1

Dropout rate 18% (16%)

World ranking 407=

Undergraduates 3,645 (1,172)

Postgraduates 1,683 (900)

Teaching staff 279

Applications/places 9,084/1,533; 5.9:1 (+16%)

Clearing entry 12% (2005)

Bursaries 48%: £50-£1,000

Scholarships Various: £500-£10,000

EU/overseas 8.4%/6.9%

Mature 34.5%

State school 88%

Lowest social classes 30%

Low-participation areas 9%

Live in 20% £85-£109

The students who contribute to this year’s Goldsmiths prospectus universally praise the staff and the culture of this vibrant south London arts college. “The learning is critical . . . I have been exposed to whole new ways of thinking”; “the inspiration and questioning I have been fortunate to experience at Goldsmiths has been invaluable”; “highly knowledgeable yet approachable staff”; “it [Goldsmiths] has taught me how to think”; “the tutors are exceptional in bringing their zeal and interest to the students”.

These words tell you more about Goldsmiths than any answers to our annual Sunday Times university questionnaire ever could. They define what is required of you – and what is likely to be delivered by academics. Freethinkers are not just welcome, they are sought out and encouraged to push the boundaries. Women outnumber men by almost two to one among the undergraduate population.

Goldsmiths is one of the smallest of the University of London colleges, a gem that shines in the arts, social sciences, media and computing. Its research pedigree drives the teaching excellence demonstrated in all its core academic activities. It is keen to attract the brightest students with a range of scholarships for the highest qualified entrant in each department. Others are open to those coming solely from the 33 London boroughs. Its creative atmosphere has spawned no fewer than five winners of the prestigious and controversial Turner Prize.

However, do not think that the trendiness and creativeness so evident here gel into cliques and bitchiness. For Goldsmiths has been named one of the friendliest colleges in the UK by Friends Reunited for two years running. It also has some of the more satisfied arts college students (generally a demanding lot judging by early – and poor – results from the first three national student surveys), who enjoy not just what the university offers them but also New Cross.

The 10-mile distant sports fields are less of a drawback than they once were since the opening of Club Pulse on campus last September, which offers both the latest technology and a range of fitness programmes.

Open days November 7.

Student view Hannah Bullivant, students’ union president:

USP Student creativity leads to student camaraderie.

Worst feature New Cross may look a little coarse but it houses hidden gems like a thriving music scene.

Location The rent is much cheaper than in other London boroughs.

Social scene There are festivals and shows throughout the year.

Rated excellent (7) Art and design; communication and media studies; drama, dance and cinematics; economics; music; politics; psychology.

Degree of student satisfaction 71.1%

English-based studies 76.7; Politics 76.0; History and Archeology 73.7; Art and Design 73.1; Teacher Training 72.2; Psychology 71.6; Performing Arts 69.7; Sociology, Social Policy and Anthropology 69.3; Media studies 67.0; Computer Science 65.9; Social Work 52.1

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