Goldsmiths, University of London

Founded in 1891 in New Cross in south-east London, The Goldsmiths' Technical and Recreative Institute (today known as Goldsmiths) was set up to provide an education to working class people of the area. Goldsmiths became part of the University of London in 1904 and saw a rapid rise in student numbers in the 1960s.

Goldsmiths has an excellent reputation as an academic and research institution with a famously strong arts and social sciences offering and there are several world-renowned artists among its alumni. Goldsmiths has always had a reputation for independence and free thinking both as an institution and among its student body and the university cultivates an atmosphere that is encouraging and receptive to new ideas.

Today the university comprises 20 academic departments offering postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in everything from the arts, humanities and social sciences to computing and business management. The university consistently ranks highly in the UK and is recognised for its contribution to research, thanks in part to the innovative interdisciplinary attitude at the university.

The main campus stretches over the busy, vibrant district of New Cross, arranged around a large green space; the campus features the original university building opened in 1844 and several other modern departmental buildings. The university welcomes foreign nationals who wish to study abroad at Goldsmiths and almost 20% of the student body is made up of international students.

Famous alumni include artists Damien Hurst, Antony Gormley, Lucian Freud and film director Steve McQueen. The music department has seen the likes of Malcom McLaren, James Blake and Katy B pass through its doors.