Goldsmiths College - Full Curriculum
2010 Fall Semester - Academics

Academic Focus

This program is specifically designed for students who wish to study liberal and performance arts at one of the UK's leading universities for the creative arts. You may choose courses from the Goldsmiths full course catalog, or from areas for which Goldsmiths is best known such as the Art & Design, Art History, Music, Drama, English, Anthropology and Media & Communications. This program offers you full immersion into the British education system, to study alongside both British students and other international students. Goldsmiths is located in New Cross, an "up and coming" urban area just 20 minutes away from central London.

Goldsmiths College operates on the standard British academic year which is divided up into three terms. One academic year of coursework at the Goldsmiths is generally worth 36 Goldsmiths credits. Fall and spring semester students take a schedule of classes totaling 16 Goldsmiths credits and typically earn 16 US credits. Spring students choosing to take the spring semester in conjunction with the summer term will earn an additional 4 Goldsmiths credits for a total of 20 US credits. Remember, it is at the discretion of your academic advisor exactly how many credits will be awarded.

Schedule Summary

The number of contact hours for each course varies and may be comprised of a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Due to the differences in the British higher education system, there is no standard for the number of days a week a course may meet. Class meeting times vary across departments and subject areas. Expect the number of times you meet with your class to be different than what you are used to at your home institution. Although the number of contact hours, in class assessments and homework assignments may be fewer than you are used to, it would be a mistake to think that this means less work is required. In preparation for your classes, you are expected to read extensively, participate fully in discussions and develop your own ideas and arguments.

Registration

You will be required to submit your course selections and alternates to the CEA headquarter office prior to departure for London. While schedules will be finalized during Orientation in London, students are advised to take care when choosing courses as it is very difficult to drop/add courses after your course choices have been submitted. While in London, fall and spring semester students enroll in four courses per semester. Students choosing to combine the spring and summer terms generally take four courses during the spring term, two of which will continue through the summer term for an additional 2 credits each. There are no required courses. If you wish to enroll in studio based courses in fine art, textiles or design, you must submit a portfolio for review with your course selection. This should consist of slides, photographs or digital images of your work, demonstrating your level and suitability for the course. In addition, it is recommended that you also provide an accompany text explaining the context of your work and processes you undertook to create it. To ensure the registration process runs smoothly, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.

To learn more about course requirements for your particular session as well as information regarding your host institution, you may click on the appropriate links above.