Photo of Simon

Simon

"There are very few universities where you can engage with the great debates of politics, philosophy and economics while surrounded by the great artists, playwrights and musicians of the future!"

Main details

Year graduated 2008
Programme BA (Hons) Economics, Politics & Public Policy

"I studied at Goldsmiths between 2005 and 2008, taking BA (Hons) Economics, Politics & Public Policy, and I think it offers one of the most distinctive undergraduate experiences around.

Goldsmiths specialises in creativity and ideas, and this shows in the teaching. Students are challenged to think for themselves and to constantly question the ideas that they are being presented with. The lecturers are fantastic, treat all students with the same degree of respect and are very generous with their time. A diverse yet tight-knit community, the body of students is large enough to create a collegiate atmosphere but small enough that you don't get lost or feel forgotten. And there are very few universities where you can engage with the great debates of politics, philosophy and economics while surrounded by the great artists, playwrights and musicians of the future!

After graduating from Goldsmiths I went to work for a politics think-tank, a micro-finance bank in Bangladesh, and spent a summer studying at Beijing University. I then completed a Masters degree in international political economy, while working for an economics consultancy. I now work for a 'big four' professional services firm, specialising in the financial services sector, and am now training as a chartered accountant.

I think that my time at Goldsmiths prepared me for my current and future career by encouraging me to continually challenge myself and to develop critical thinking skills. All interesting careers require good judgment which entails independent, rational and creative thinking. I was given both the space and the support to develop thoughts and ideas which were, crucially, my own. I would recommend the Goldsmiths experience to anyone who wants to push themselves intellectually, socially and creatively. But most importantly to me, the friends I have today are some of the most interesting people I've ever met."

Around the university