31,280 discussions, 145 guides
Goldsmiths (University of London)
31,280 discussions, 145 guides
Goldsmiths (University of London)
Goldsmiths College
University of London
New Cross
London
SE14 6NW
Tel: (020) 7919 7766
1891
Wired
Wired Radio has been running for six years and hosts a four-week annual broadcast online and in the local area on an FM licence.
Smiths
Smiths magazine is published monthly and has won some awards. It can be a bit over-designed though.
Work and Progress
Is the Students' Union propaganda newsletter, informing students of the work of the executive officers.
Alex James - Blur
Julian Clary - Comedian
Damien Hirst - Artist
Lord Merlyn-Rees - Former Home Secretary
Gillian Wearing - Turner Prize Winner 1997
Colin Welland - Playwright/actor
Steve McQueen - God
Mary Quant - Inventor of the mini-skirt
The Students' Union (Tiannamen Building) has two bars, The Stretch Bar and The Green Room which are usually busy during the week. However, at the weekends everything shuts down and the students that stay around have to look elsewhere for entertainment. This doesn't pose much of problem, though, as the local area has plenty of pubs and a fair number of clubs.
Food The SU offers junk food and quick fayre and also some healthier and organic options.
Organised functions are held twice weekly, including Club Sandwich, a night of pop, rock, r'n'b and indie, as well as a karaoke night. Live acts are making a come back with regular bands on Thursdays.
There are at least 4 formal functions during the year, as well as Hall and clubs and society events. The Freshers Ball is a great night to meet new people, but the day after isn't so great!
There are enough societies at Goldsmiths to find one that you are interested in. The political societies, like the Students' Union, tend to be more left (socialist) than many other colleges in the University of London. For example there is the Broad Left Society and the Young Socialists. There are also numerous sports clubs.
Subject to conditions: 100
The college receives more applications than there are places in halls of residence, so when they allocate places priority is given to new full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who do not live within Travelcard Zone 6 (trains and tubes). For non-Londoners, this takes you to most of Greater London and is a pretty sizeable area. They guarantee to accommodate all overseas (non-EU) students for the duration of their programme, though not necessarily in the same hall each year. The standard of accommodation is alright and the halls are close to the University.
Externally, the popular areas are Brockley, Lewisham and Brixton. The accommodation is often cheaper than many other parts of London, but the standard can vary from 'grim and mouldly' to 'liveable.'
New Cross is situated about 5 miles south east of Trafalgar Square, and is surrounded by Lewisham, Deptford and Catford. Although not a great area of London, Greenwich is nearby, providing a cultural aspect of Goldsmiths' location. The other good thing about Goldsmiths' location is that the area feels like a small community, and is generally friendly, but within striking distance of London.
The students at Goldsmiths seem to be there because they really want to be there, and the subject that they do genuinely interests them (this is not to say this is different anywhere else, but it is just seems more so here).
In Greenwich there is the Observatory and the Planetarium, the Maratime Museum and a fun Sunday Market. There are also some really good pubs in the area including, the Marquis of Granby, and numerous live music bars.
One of the best things about Goldsmiths is that Central London is nearby, without one having to pay the really expensive prices. If you want to find out about what London can offer, buy a copy of Time Out magazine.
There is free parking by the Halls of Residence, but there isn't much of it. Now that the new Jubilee Line is built, the area is served better by the tube.
There is a branch of NatWest Bank on campus. Other banks are nearby.
Wheelchair access is good in the Student Union and the Learning Centre, but in some other places one has to cope with stairs and older buildings. Braille signs have been fitted, there are hearing loops in the lecture theatres and 1 bar has been specially adapted.
In the Students' Union there is a general shop, advice centre, and Student Activities Centre, photocopier and launderette. Students also have access to the University of London facilities in Bloomsbury, although it is quite a distance to get there.
There is branch of Waterstones on campus selling most of the major course books.
Although Goldsmiths students take an interest in sports, there are few facilities nearby. There are however, 2 small gyms, tennis courts, cricket nets and 21 acres of playing fields at Loring Sports Ground, 8 miles away in Kent! This is a common problem with all University of London Colleges (except for Royal Holloway)
Provisions for women are excellent at Goldsmiths. A well organised safety bus is provided by the SU after events.
The Planetarium and the The Royal Observatory are nearby. There is also a large lawn behind the main University building.
The Library is housed in the new Rutherford Information Services Building, and houses more than 250,000 books, with around 500 study places. Students also have access to the main University of London Library on Malet Street.
There are around 400 computer workstations at the college. None have 24hr access, but opening times are fairly good anyway. All students are issued with free e-mail and internet access.
University welfare services include a Health Centre, a counsellor, a Creche (though, places are limited), and an International Students Office.
The Student Union runs Nightline, and provides a particularly good service for women, by operating a safety bus (after an event), and giving out attack alarms.
