About Short Courses

Our short courses are taught by both industry professionals and the very same academics who teach on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. We welcome you to our diverse community and hope that your experience here is so positive that you come back time and time again. Please do not hesitate to contact the Short Courses team with any questions, and we hope you enjoy your learning journey!

English Language Requirements

All short courses are delivered in English, and you should be proficient in spoken and written English. We recommend an IELTS of 6.5 in all four components (or equivalent).

Online short courses

We are now offering many of our Short Courses online via Zoom, which are all taught live and include other participants (i.e. you will not be studying from a pre-recorded video).

Short Course content and delivery has been adapted to replicate many of the interactive and collaborative aspects you would expect from face-to-face teaching.

Information on joining online classes will be sent to you ahead of the start date. Course times are in UK time (GMT), so please be conscious of any time difference if you are in a different time zone. We recommend you join online sessions 10 minutes early.

If you have any issues joining a short course session, please contact the Short Courses office, but please note the team can only assist during office hours (Monday – Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm GMT).

Preparing for an online short course

• For the best experience, use a laptop or computer (instead of a phone) to participate in short courses.
• Downloaded Zoom, or make sure you have the most up-to-date version installed. You can update Zoom by following the instructions on the Zoom.us.
• Ensure your camera, microphone, and headphones/speakers are working properly.

We will not be able to provide support with any problems you experience caused by your device, internet connection, or software.

In-person short courses

You will receive details of where on campus your course will be held by email, 24 hours before it is due to start. If you do not receive your email on time, please thoroughly check your junk mail folder before getting in touch. Most Short Courses take place in the Richard Hoggart Building (RHB), Professor Stuart Hall Building (PSH), Rutherford Building or Goldsmiths Electronic Music Studios. We try to schedule the same room for each week, but on occasion, this may not be possible. You will be notified of any room changes by email.

Please bring your Eventbrite e-ticket – this can be printed, or displayed on your phone. Try and arrive in plenty of time. Teaching rooms are open 30 minutes before the class starts.

Cafés on Campus

On weekdays, you will have access to the PSH Cafe, located on the ground floor of the Professor Stuart Hall Building, and Thirty-Five, in the Richard Hoggart Building.

For more information, visit the Eating and Drinking on campus page.

Preparation and special requirements

Any preparation you are required to do will be indicated on the course webpage. You may be required to do some course pre-reading before and during your course. You may also be expected to undertake assignments or homework throughout the Short Course. Your short course tutor will provide you with this information either by email before/during your first class.

You will also be told in advance if you need to have any specialist software or equipment. You should also find this detailed on the Short Course page.

Some short courses will give you access to Learn.Gold, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which course tutors can use to deliver materials and resources. If applicable, you will be given VLE login details before the start of your course.

You can make use of the library (for reference only access) during your short course. Please take your Eventbrite confirmation (you will need this to get through security) to the Library Help Desk to sign up for a temporary Library card. For more information and opening hours, visit the Goldsmiths library page.

Completing your short course

If you have attended at least 80% of a short course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance. Certificates are issued at the end of each term. Please note some short courses do not issue attendance certificates, such as those offered by the Department of Social Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS) and AIR.

You will be sent a link to an online feedback form along with your certificate. We value your feedback and would be very grateful if you would complete the form. Feel free to ask your tutor if there are further Short Courses you could take to complement your learning, or email the short courses team for advice.

Disability Support

We are committed to providing reasonable teaching adjustments for students with disabilities that may impact their learning experience. If you require adjustments, please contact the short courses team as soon as you sign up for a Short Course.