Study Abroad/Study in London costs

Study Abroad and Exchange Students pay full-cost fees, whatever their country of origin.

Financial support from the UK Government is only available to undergraduate students who can satisfy conditions related to the length and purpose of their residence in the UK, and who have no restrictions on living in the UK.

Fees and living expenses

Tuition fees

High cost programmes are those with a major studio or laboratory content, or which mainly involve Art Practice, Communication Studies, Computing, Design, Drama, Music or Psychology – or any majority combination of these subjects.

It is likely that Art students will have to pay for some materials during their course; you will be sent a materials list with details of costs. Further advice on the costs of study is given to you when you accept our offer of a place.

Living expenses
London can be an expensive city, but Goldsmiths is situated in a relatively inexpensive area. We estimate that as a single undergraduate you will need at least £800 per month for your living and accommodation expenses. This figure does not include international flights.

Exchange students
Exchange students do not have to pay tuition fees, but other costs are estimated at £800 per month.

Opening a bank account

It is advisable that you open a UK bank account once you arrive in the UK. You can open a student account at any high street bank. Goldsmiths has a branch of NatWest on campus, and Citibank are able to offer you an account that enables you to transfer money between a UK and US Citibank account. See www.gold.ac.uk/international/regions/usa/citibankaccount for more information on opening a Citibank account. A similar facility may be available in other countries.

Foreign exchange control

It is very important that you make arrangements for the transfer of funds to pay your fees and maintenance costs before you come to the UK. This is a particular problem in countries with strict exchange control regulations, such as Nigeria and Iran. Remember that your fees are due at the beginning of your period of study, and you will not be allowed to attend classes unless you can make satisfactory arrangements for payment.

Banker’s draft
The cheapest way of bringing money into the UK, for fees etc, is to get a banker’s draft in pounds sterling drawn on a bank in the UK. It will be more expensive to get a pounds sterling cheque drawn on a foreign bank outside the UK, due to extra bank charges levied by the banking system here.

International currency transfer
If you choose to send money through a bank in your home country [an ‘International currency transfer’], indicate that you will pay all bank and agent’s charges; this may help you to avoid further bank charges when the money reaches Goldsmiths’ bank. You should keep a copy of the transaction note to bring with you.

Other methods of payment
If you choose to pay by any other method, you will have to pay extra bank charges levied by the banking system, which is outside the control of Goldsmiths’ management and bank.

Please note: if you are transferring money directly into Goldsmiths’ account, please add £20 sterling to cover bank charges and ensure your name is clearly stated on the payment instruction.

Please note that Goldsmiths, University of London will never ask you to send your bank details by e-mail. We will only e-mail you from an address ending in @gold.ac.uk. If you receive an e-mail asking you for your bank details, do not reply or forward any money: please contact us immediately by e-mailing studyabroad@gold.ac.uk.