Information for students

Accommodation

Information about college accommodation is available online, including details of College accommodation available to rent, cost of accommodation, and eligibility for a place in Goldsmiths Halls of Residence.

Bank accounts

General information on opening a bank account in the UK can be found online at the British Bankers' Association and at the Financial Services Authority. When opening an account you will be required to show proof of identity and may also be required to show confirmation of your status as a student of Goldsmiths.

If your bank does ask for confirmation of your status please contact Enrolments and Records, email studentrecords@gold.ac.uk, indicating your student reference, your name, and both the name and branch (the address) of the bank with whom you want to open an account.

Change of address

You are responsible for keeping Student Services informed of any changes to your home (permanent) or local (term-time) address. Important information about enrolment, examinations, fees or graduation may be posted to your address, and it is critical that your address details are kept up-to-date.

If you do move or your details are incorrect you can submit a change via the web interface https://secure.gold.ac.uk/tfl or email studentrecords@gold.ac.uk quoting your student reference number, name, date of birth, and the new address (indicate if your home or local address or telephone number).

Changes of name or gender

It is Goldsmiths policy to record students with their legal name as given on any formal documentation shown at enrolment, i.e. Passport, Drivers Licence photo-card or National Identity card.

If you change your name and want your College details updated you must show formal notice of the change, i.e. Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration.

If you have undergone gender re-assignment and wish to amend the details held by the College we will again require some formal documentation, i.e. your Birth Certificate, Passport or a Statutory Declaration.

Please bring your original documents to the Student Centre, Room 117, Richard Hoggart Building (Open Monday-Friday, 10am - 4pm).

Change of programme or course

If you find your programme of study unsuitable or want to change to another programme at Goldsmiths you must speak to your personal tutor or supervisor. Subject to the authorisation of your Head of Department(s) or Departmental Senior Tutor(s) you may be permitted to change your mode of attendance (full-time or part-time) or transfer to another programme of study.

To request a change please complete a Change of programme form.

Completed forms, authorised by your Head of Department or Departmental Senior Tutor, must be returned to Enrolments and Records (Room 117, Richard Hoggart Building) within 2 weeks of the change being effective or you may remain liable for the full tuition fee and may not be eligible for a refund as outlined in the General Regulations.

Computing and email

You will be issued a computer account by IT Services, when you have completed enrolment. This includes your Goldsmiths email address to which correspondence and notices about enrolment, fees, examinations and other College events may be sent.

It’s therefore important that you regularly check your Goldsmiths e-mail account or ensure emails are forwarded directly to any external email account you may use.

Confidential support and advice

The Student Advisers can provide confidential advice, information and guidance to all students on general welfare issues including debt and money management, private sector housing, student finance, council tax, welfare benefits and tax credits. The Student Advisers offer advice to international students on immigration matters in accordance with the OISC Code of Standards. To make an appointment, please email student-advice@gold.ac.uk with brief details of your enquiry, and a student adviser will contact you to offer the next available appointment.

If you feel you need more emotional or psychological support or you just want to talk to someone, please see details of the Counselling Service and the Chaplaincy available to students.

Confirmation of your status

We are able to issue confirmation letters for the following:

• Confirmation of enrolment, e.g. for income tax, sponsorship, reference purposes
• Council tax assessment
• Opening a student bank account
• Applying for a Schengen visa or a Student visitor visa (see information for International Students)

The confirmation letter state your name, date of birth, and your programme of study including qualification name, mode of attendance, start and end dates.

If you need confirmation of your status as a student of Goldsmiths please contact Enrolments and Records, email studentrecords@gold.ac.uk, indicating your student reference, name, your local address, and the purpose of the letter. If you require a letter to open a bank account please provide both the name and branch (the address) of the bank. We aim to make letters available for collection within 48 hours of receipt (not including weekends and bank holidays) but please allow for delays during peak times.

If you require additional copies of your transcripts, or are a former student and require confirmation of your award, please see details of our Student Archives service.

Debt and unpaid fees

Debt is a very serious issue and can be very stressful.

If you do incur a debt with Goldsmiths, i.e. you have unpaid tuition fees, hall fees, library fines, hardship loans, etc. you will be sent reminders to pay by email and by post. It is important that you do not ignore the debt, and respond to any reminders to pay or contact the relevant department if you are having trouble adhering to any payment plan.

Continued failure to pay and/or respond to reminders will result in your access to services being suspended and you may be withdrawn. It's also important to keep in contact with your creditors, as you may often become liable for any additional charges associated with recovery of that debt.

If you want further information on money management, consumer rights, bank and credit issues, dealing with debt and many more areas related to financial capability please visit the Money Doctors.

 

Departmental inductions

Disability or a specific learning difficulty

If you have a disability, health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, please contact the Disability Team to discuss additional support and adjustments the college can provide.

Email disability@gold.ac.uk, call 020 7717 2292 or drop in Monday to Friday between 11am and 12 or 2pm and 3pm (Room 129, Richard Hoggart Building).

Enrolment for continuing students

If you are a continuing student, permitted to proceed or repeat your studies in attendance, or returning to studies following interruption, you can enrol via the web interface and are not required to enrol in person.

If you have deferred assessment or you are required to repeat not in attendance the Assessments Office will contact you with details of how to register, and you will not be able to enrol via the web interface.

IMPORTANT: If you are in debt to the College you will not be permitted to enrol, and your access to College services will be suspended. Failure to clear any outstanding debts and/or respond to demands for payment will result in your enrolment being withdrawn.

Failure to complete enrolment will result in your access to College services being suspended, and your enrolment may be withdrawn. Re-instatement subsequent to withdrawal is subject to the approval of your Head of Department or Departmental Senior Tutor, and payment of any tuition fees in full. You will be invoiced for payment of a £50 penalty.

Enrolment for applicants and new entrants

Subject to application and conditions of entry the Admissions Office will confirm if you have been offered a place to study at Goldsmiths. Subject to you accepting the offer, you will be sent further information on how to enrol.

Examinations and assessment

If you have a question about your examinations or assessment, including results and timetabling, or you require copies of transcripts for your current programme of study please contact the Assessments Office.

Email assessments@gold.ac.uk, telephone 020 7717 2254, or visit the Student Centre, Room 117 in the Richard Hoggart Building (Open: Monday to Friday, 10am and 4pm).

Financial support, bursaries and scholarships

The Student Funding Team currently provide information on student funding, and can provide some financial support.

They are based in the Student Centre, Room 117 in the Richard Hoggart Building. Please check their website for further details.

Goldsmiths Card

The Goldsmiths Card is your student ID, your library card, and allows access to the Goldsmiths campus and its buildings. You will be required to show your Goldsmiths Card when attending examinations and when making enquiries about your record, and are advised to carry your card with you at all times.

When you have completed enrolment you will be issued your card that lists your name, academic department, level of study and your 8-digit student reference number.

Please note your card will be de-activated and access to college services suspended should you contravene any of the College regulations, interrupt or withdraw from the College. If you do experience problems with your card when trying to access services please contact the Enrolments and Records Office, telephone 020 7919 7536.

If your Card is lost or stolen please show proof of identity (passport, drivers licence photo-card or national identity card) to the Security Office where you will be issued with a replacement.

The Security office is based in Room 198, Richard Hoggart Building and is open Monday to Friday, 12 – 2pm and 5pm – 6.45pm, Saturday 12 – 2pm.

Interrupting your studies

If you are having short term problems, e.g. financial or health, you may wish to speak to your personal tutor or supervisor about interrupting your studies.

If you need additional support or want to talk about your decision in confidence please email student-advice@gold.ac.uk to make an appointment with the Student Advice team. They may also advise you on the financial implications of your decision and may be able to offer support.

If after discussions you do decide to interrupt, subject to the authorisation of your Head of Department(s) or Departmental Senior Tutor(s) you may be permitted to interrupt for a period of up to 2 years.

Download an Interruption and withdrawal form. Completed forms, authorised by your Head of Department or Departmental Senior Tutor, must be returned to Enrolments and Records (Room 117, Richard Hoggart Building) within 2 weeks of the change being effective or you may remain liable for the full tuition fee and may not be eligible for a refund as outlined in the General Regulations.

IMPORTANT: If you stop attending without the approval of your academic department then you will remain liable for any tuition fees due, will not be eligible for a refund, and it may prevent you from applying for any tuition fee support in the future.

Registering with a doctor

Travel discounts

An 18+ Student Oyster Photocard entitles the holder to buy student-rate Travelcards and Bus Passes valid for 7 days, one month or longer periods of up to one year, which costs 30% less than adult-rate season tickets. Money can also be added to an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard to pay adult-rate Oyster single fares, which are cheaper than paying cash.

Full terms and conditions and details of how to apply are available at the Transport for London website. Please note that the 16+ Student Oyster Photocard is only available to Goldsmiths students enrolled on a full-time Access course.

Please ensure you are eligible before applying for an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard, as all applications (approved or rejected) are subject to a non-refundable fee of £10. If you are enrolled on a part-time programme of study please note that your application will not be approved until you have shown evidence of eligiblity to the Student Centre, Room 117, Richard Hoggart Building. Goldsmiths accepts no liability for any costs associated with the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard scheme.

The Young Persons Railcard offers 30% discounts on national rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. You're eligible if you're aged between 16 and 25, or over the age of 26 and enrolled on a full-time programme of study. The Railcard can be used at weekends, Public Holidays and during the week.  The only restriction is that if you travel at or before 10am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) and a minimum fare will apply. See the railcard website for full terms and conditions.

Terms and conditions of enrolment

Tuition fees

To complete your enrolment you must make a tuition fee payment, return a signed direct debit mandate or proof of sponsorship/tuition fee loan.

If you are waiting for confirmation of your tuition fee loan please email fees@gold.ac.uk with details.

To check whether you are eligible for the Early Payment Discount Scheme, please go to the following link.

For further information, please see Payment of tuition fees.

Withdrawing from Goldsmiths

If you feel you are unable to continue your studies at Goldsmiths and want to withdraw please speak to your personal tutor or supervisor. If you need additional support or want to talk about your decision in confidence please email student-advice@gold.ac.uk to make an appointment with the Student Advice team. They may also advise you on the financial implications of your decision and may be able to offer support.

If after discussions you still decide to withdraw, please complete the Interruption and withdrawal form. Completed forms, authorised by your Head of Department or Departmental Senior Tutor, must be returned to Enrolments and Records (Room 117, Richard Hoggart Building) within 2 weeks of your last date of attendance or you may remain liable for the full tuition fee and may not be eligible for a refund as outlined in the General Regulations.

IMPORTANT: If you stop attending without the approval of your academic department then you will remain liable for any tuition fees due, will not be eligible for a refund, and it may prevent you from applying for any tuition fee support in the future.

Withdrawal for non-attendance

It is critical that you notify your academic department if you will be absent from any lectures, seminars or supervised work. If you are absent from College without notice for a period of 10 days or more you may be withdrawn for non-attendance, see regulations.

Students requesting to be re-instated following withdrawal will be liable to pay a £50 penalty.

Your student record

Subsequent to enrolment you will be able to check your details online, follow the link Student Details and Photo.