909 reviews for Goldsmiths, University of London

Getting into a bit of detail regarding the five courses I’ve done over the first year I’ll start with performance. The performance module is all about playing in ensembles and you can either do jazz or contemporary classical and experimental streams and this goes alongside your 1 to 1 music tuition. One thing that Goldsmith’s information about the course doesn’t convey is that you can play a lot of jazz on this degree if you want to (including three different jazz ensembles / workshops) – so if you are into your jazz come and check this out. There are a lot of opportunities for playing in different ensembles (not just jazz, right across the board from the Sinfonietta to contemporary classical to steelpans) –– I’ve gone to some really good jazz workshops with guest musicians. Then there’s a composition course which gives you a basic grounding in the area and covers some quite nice areas like composing for films. Materials, Signs and Symbols looks at notation in a broad way and links to the composition course. It covers stuff like aural skills, critical listening, arranging and transcription. Then there’s Discovering Music which gives you a historical / musicological overview of mostly European notated / art music from 900AD to 1900AD and which also covers music analysis, Critical Approaches to Contemporary Music as the name suggests covers more recent music, it’s pretty wide ranging including free jazz, electronica, noise, contemporary classical. Finally, there are a lot of other things happening that are not part of the core degree modules. They have two recording studios you can book out and all sorts of tech – old synths etc and run training sessions relating to these (there is a proper studio and production module in Year 2) and also a weekly drop-in music theory seminar. There is a lot going on. The lecturers / tutors are really supportive and knowledgeable. There is a foundation / access course if you are not ready for the degree, but I don’t know much about it. Modules / options in Year 2 and 3 look good. The main downside has been around the management wanting to restructure a number of the departments at Goldsmiths – you may have read about this in the papers. While there is a lot I could say about this, this isn’t the place. Basically, the staff and management are, I think, taking a lot of trouble to make sure that this doesn’t affect the students too much. Main thing this year has been a marking boycott at the end of the year which has meant finding out your mark for some courses has been delayed. Not the end of the world. So, if you want to be stretched musically, creatively and mentally on a forward-thinking course then apply and get yourselves to Goldsmiths. I can’t comment on the ‘student experience’ as am now too old for that – but if you can’t find good stuff to be doing in Deptford-New-Cross- Peckham then I suspect you are not trying hard enough.

MA Political Communications is an enticing course for exciting times. The modules the university offer are both theoretical and practical while the content is itself is consistently fascinating and taught by enthusiastic lecturers which in turn helps to enthuse students.

The accommodation staff are all really nice and helpful and I really can't fault the rooms or location, regardless the price is a bit steep.

Excellent teaching methods with a lot of good discussions and interactive activities during seminars, such as debates, power mapping, presentations etc. The tutor is also great with efficient problem-solving approach that directs to the point, dedication, and expertise.

Really bad for work placements. Unfriendly support and not many opportunities and not very broad opportunities.

Bit grotty looking. Didn’t have hot water for a month.

The best aspects is there is a lot of theory that is needed to understand the field fully as well as the lectures are amazing I love the teachers and how they care for the students.

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There are a range of interesting modules to choose from in your third year. Proffesors and tutors are friendly and care about the material they teach.

Its quite multinational and has an energetic atmosphere. Can feel unsafe from time to time but I didnt have any incidents so far.

My course is taught 100% in person, with options to access lecture material later if needed. I am in 4 days a week and this is a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. There is the opportunity to book tutorials and gain hands on experience, as well as study abroad and complete work experience.

Tutors for year three has been amazing compared to year two and one. Strikes made it even more difficult to contact lecturers. Content has gotten better but again only in year three. The first two years has been horrible in terms of content.

Best: Great level of teaching Lots of room for discussion in seminars Non judgemental environment Alternative subjects explored Learnt about lots of new subject areas I didnt think id be interested in but am Always really easy to organise meetings with individual lecturers out of class time Worst: Lots of modules not running that we thought there would be Lecturers leaving regularly Lecturers clearly under a high level of stress from the Uni poor admin organisation on the uni front clearly affects the teaching and learning experience Course content in the first year was very scattered and mostly felt orientative/not a chance to learn about history on a really broad spectrum or in good detail