“What is the history of ideas? It is an almost infinite expanse, and so from the outset you are given a firm grounding in cultural and intellectual history. After one year of 'initiation', the rest of the degree course allows you to pick from a huge variety of courses that cater for most interests. There are plenty of opportunities for research, and the course allows you a great deal of independence and flexibility to find your own path. Classes are small and discussions can be intense; beliefs and preconceptions get put to the test and there have been lots of times where my mind has been left truly spinning after leaving the classroom! In my experience the teaching is very good, and staff have always been helpful, very well-read, and affable.
History at Goldsmiths is something very different to what I had encountered before. From a fixed story of kings and queens and war and peace, history at Goldsmiths becomes an organic and thriving area of study, where differing and conflicting interpretations are studied and encouraged. Unlike school, having an independent opinion will not get you a bad mark, providing you can justify it. You take full responsibility in your studies, and learning and writing history takes on personal value. As a result, history and the history of ideas can be quite a challenge, but never a burden.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, but there¹s always a buzz around Goldsmiths there are always things happening, new things to discover, new people to meet, new worlds to discover.
Be warned: this course will change your life... Whatever you think you know now, whatever ideas you define yourself by now, be prepared to plunge everything into question. The history of ideas is possibly one of the most personally-enriching courses out there, furnishing you with a wide variety of critical tools that will help in the workplace, in relationships and in navigating modern life, as well as an abundant feast of knowledge for the soul. Remarkably, I do not know of one student on this course who has regretted enrolling, and that is quite unusual!”
Daniel Taylor, BA History & History of Ideas
“Before coming to Goldsmiths as a mature student I had spent the best part of 20 years working in various jobs in both the government and private sectors. Over time I realised the importance employers give to having a university degree, and therefore the opportunities a degree could give me. I also spent many months backpacking where I discovered my interest in people, their traditions, and their history. I chose Goldsmiths because it offers a joint degree in anthropology and history, one focusing on small-scale indigenous societies, the other on societies with a greater written history. I am finding both subjects fascinating and complimentary. The lectures act as a stimulus, the seminars an opportunity to discuss. Both the tutors and the students are friendly and helpful, and I look forward to going to Goldsmiths each week.”Jane Bryan, BA History & Anthropology
“Coming to London from Sweden to study with just the knowledge that I wanted to study history was a challenge. Where does one start looking for courses? Which universities are any good? What caught my eye when looking through the courses selection in the Goldsmiths prospectus was the incredible diversity of courses offered, and the great focus on culture and ideas, rather than stiff-upper-lip traditional approaches to history. I ended up choosing a combined degree in History and Anthropology, which ended up being just what I was looking for. Of course its been challenging, as higher education is supposed to be. But with a wide range of interesting courses to choose from, great support from both tutors and student mentors, and – most importantly – high class teaching, this has been a great experience. I can highly recommend it.”Ingrid Weimers, BA History & Anthropology
“Before coming to Goldsmiths I was working in London as a photographer (I did my first undergraduate degree in Madrid) and had never thought that I could ever manage to work and be a full-time student at the same time in England. I wanted to study something interesting and unique and found the History and History of Ideas degree. The varied subjects offered and the convenient location were two of the main factors that made me decide to become a student at Goldsmiths. I find the degree dynamic, extremely interesting and very flexible. It allows me to learn at my own pace and it provides me with a very solid foundation in a broad variety of topics (from Buddhism to the history of medicine).
Being an ESL student was not a problem at all and although it was difficult to write the first essays, the lecturers and professors were really encouraging and patient. There was a lot of help from the Language Studies Centre and peer mentors as well, and I feel my English is getting better all the time.
Living off campus I can still be a part of the Goldsmiths community as there are many weekly events and interesting talks and tours organised both by the Students’ Union and the Department of History. I am really glad I have chosen Goldsmiths to study.”
Paula Salischiker, BA History & History of Ideas
"Goldsmiths has given me the opportunity to experiment with my studies and be creative with my learning. The History and Politics programme is diverse and extremely thought provoking. It allows me to incorporate my passion for international relations with my desire to learn about the mechanisms that influence the society and culture of everyday life. The History Department at Goldsmiths is extensive and I have also learnt that the wealth of expertise that the lecturers and seminar tutors have is unrivaled. As is their dedication and commitment to the progression of your studies. Personal tutors are also on hand to provide you with help, support and advice, in both your schooling and personal life. Whilst at Goldsmiths, I have been advised on how to prioritise and manage my time efficiently. Therefore, I have still been able to successfully maintain the voluntary work I do as well as pursue other personal interests to an equally high standard. My time here at Goldsmiths has been so inspiring, I have acquired diverse new skills through various experiences, giving me the motivation to continue with my studies after graduating. Being at Goldsmiths is not just about being an academic student, it is also about being a valued member of a wider community which encourages every person to express themselves to the best of their ability". Ruhina Begum, BA History & Politics
"I credit Goldsmiths’ unique intellectual atmosphere and the excellent staff for achieving more in my studies than I ever imagined. My program has given me the tools and guidance I have needed to aid my research, without stifling my own educational aims."Chelsea Block, MA Cultural History (now MA History) – international student
“The MRes’ mixture of independent research and taught courses gave me time to develop my own interests, read widely and discuss research with my peers. The interdisciplinary postgraduate workshops are an unmissable opportunity to gain a dynamic perspective on how we study history.”Imogen Lee, MRes History
“The name ‘Goldsmiths’ first came to my attention as an environment attracting bright, intellectually promising minds, pursuing knowledge on diverse aspects of contemporary culture. I decided to continue my studies at PhD level to deepen my understanding of cultural history and the history of philosophy and aesthetics. As a department, History is in very close contact with its researchers. As for my supervisors, I admire them for the intellectual inspiration and friendship I have found. I feel privileged to be pursuing my studies and achievements in surroundings where disciplines of visual arts, visual culture, history, sociology, politics, anthropology, literature and music inform each other.” Dilek Basgurboga, MPhil/PhD History