Goldsmiths College University of London

Welcome to Goldsmiths – the UK’s leading creative university. Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths has been part of the University of London since 1904. We aim to be pre-eminent in the study and practice of creative, cognitive, cultural and social processes.

Fourteen academic departments – together with smaller centres and units – interact to provide a unique approach to creative, cultural and social subjects.

History of Goldsmiths

1891
Goldsmiths’ Technical and Recreative Institute is founded by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Established in the former Royal Naval School – still the College’s main building – at New Cross, it is dedicated to ‘the promotion of technical skill, knowledge, health and general well-being among men and women of the industrial, working and artisan classes’.

1904
The Goldsmiths Company hands over the Institute to the University of London, which re-names it ‘Goldsmiths’ College’.

1907
A new School of Art, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and funded by the Goldsmiths’ Company, opens at the back of the Main Building.

1939
The Second World War forces the teacher-training department to evacuate to University College, Nottingham.

1940
In December, incendiary bombs set off a fire which guts much of the New Cross Main Building.

1946-7
Repairs to the war-torn College carried out.

1960s
The College expands degree-level and teacher-training work and greatly increased its student intake. In this fertile period, the Lockwood, Whitehead and Education Buildings, the extension of the Main Building, Warmington Tower and St James’s Hall are erected.

1977
St Gabriel’s and Rachel McMillan Colleges of Education are merged with Goldsmiths.

1988
Goldsmiths becomes a full School of the University of London.

1990
HRH The Princess Royal presents the College with its Royal Charter.

1991
Goldsmiths is included in Lewisham’s successful bid to the Department of the Environment for City Challenge funding to promote the regeneration of Deptford.

1998
The Chancellor opens the Rutherford Information Services Building, which receives a RIBA award as one of the ten best new buildings in the capital.

2000
The College completes the purchase of the Deptford Town Hall Building from Lewisham, and in the same year the Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company, Sir Adam Butler, opens a new Students’ Union extension, which the Company has helped to fund.

2001
Goldsmiths is successful in its application for a £2.4 million Funding Council grant towards the first phase of a major new Arts Complex on the St James’s site.

How to Contact Goldsmiths College

Goldsmiths College University of London
New Cross London SE14 6NW UK Main switchboard:
020 7919 7171 Outside UK: +44 20 7919 7171

Prospectus request line
UK and European Union students telephone: +44 (0)20 7919 7537 (24 hours),
Overseas (non-EU) students telephone: +44 20 7919 7273 (24 hours),

If you wish to enquire about a degree programme, please contact one of the following two offices:

UK and EU students
Undergraduate telephone: +44 (0)20 7919 7766,
Postgraduate telephone: +44 (0)20 7919 7060,
PGCE Secondary telephone: +44 (0)20 7919 7050,
Fax: +44 (0)20 7717 2240,
E-mail: admissions@gold.ac.uk

Overseas (non EU) students
Please contact the International Office.
Tel: +44 20 7919 7700,
Fax: +44 20 7919 7704,
E-mail: international-office@gold.ac.uk

For other enquiries:
Accommodation
Details of individual halls or private sector housing for Goldsmiths students:
Accommodation Office
Tel: 020 7919 7130,
Fax: 020 7919 7134,
e-mail residences-catering@gold.ac.uk

Conference facilities & vacation lets
Accommodation over the summer vacation or enquiries about hire of Goldsmiths facilities for Conference Services,
Tel: 020 7919 7132,
Fax: 020 7919 7134,
Please see Conference Services.

Open days & visits

Please see Open Days for details of our annually held events. To arrange a group visit or taster day, contact:
Heather Wooldridge,
Recruitment Officer,
Tel: 020 7919 7572,
Fax: 020 7919 7509,
e-mail admissions@gold.ac.uk

Goldsmiths College and its general facilities
External Communications Office,
Tel: 020 7919 7971,
Fax: 020 7919 7975,
e-mail ext-comms@gold.ac.uk

Part-time short courses
Professional and Community Education (PACE),
Tel: 020 7919 7200

Quality Assessment & Academic Audit
Quality Affairs Office,
Tel: 020 7919 7519,
Fax: 020 7919 7913,
e-mail quality@gold.ac.uk

Schools and college liaison
Taster days, group visits, careers adviser liaison Heather Wooldridge,
Recruitment Officer,
Tel: 020 7919 7572,
Fax: 020 7919 7509,
e-mail admissions@gold.ac.uk

Welfare and support issues
Student Support Office,
Tel: 020 7919 7789,
Fax: 020 7919 7241,
e-mail student-supp@gold.ac.uk