Goldsmiths Equity Awards
Supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students at Goldsmiths to achieve their full potential.
The Equity Awards provide a package of intentional support, designed to help to level the playing field for students of colour.
The first cohort of Equity Scholars joined Goldsmiths in September 2021. By September 2023 we will have made almost 100 awards, with students pursuing a range of subjects across our departments and schools.
We put the students at the heart of it. Who are they? What do they aspire to, and what do they need to get there? And they tell us how much they value that feeling – the idea that we are listening to them, and supporting them as individuals.
Dr Marl’ene Edwin, Academic Lead for the Equity Awards
Offering more than money
The financial support attached to the Equity Awards is crucial, supporting students’ academic work and their broader development.
But while finance is one of the starkest barriers to accessing higher education, it is only part of the equation. Equity Scholars receive individualised educational and pastoral support to help them to navigate the opportunities and challenges they encounter during their time at Goldsmiths.
This Award is more than money to me, it’s unlocking doors and opportunities to things I would have otherwise had no access to.
Kaiya Alenabi, FT BA Media and Communications with Foundation Year (Integrated Degree)
Addressing the Awarding Gap
The Awarding Gap is an issue seen across higher education in the UK, whereby Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students are less likely to receive a Good degree than white students. The Equity Awards are one way in which Goldsmiths is seeking to close the Gap.
Finding out about the Equity Awards felt like there was a chance for me, that there was help there; and that people like me were being recognised for their talents and were being aided to have a more enjoyable experience at university.
Olivia Uchechi McFarlane, FT BA Sociology with Criminology
Changing the system
The Equity Awards were designed to tackle inequalities embedded in higher education: challenging tokenism and systemic prejudice and helping students to find their voice.
The structure of the programme acknowledges the value of supporting students in navigating through their university experience. Reducing barriers to access is only the first step.
Funding the Equity Awards
We are able to offer Equity Awards thanks to generous philanthropic funding from alumni, friends and charitable organisations, some of which are match-funded by Goldsmiths. We are grateful to the below organisations and individuals – and to a number of anonymous donors – for their generous support of the Equity Awards.
- Artists' Collecting Society CIC
- Shereener Browne and Anthony Hudson KC
- City of London Combined Education Charity
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- Goldsmiths’ Company Charity
- Goldsmiths Greatest Need fund (funded by Alumni)
- Dr Patsy Hickman
- Marie-Eloise J Hurley
- Philippa Kaufmann KC
- Portal Trust
- Schroder Charitable Trust
- Harprit Sekhon
- Merchant Taylors’ Foundation
- Rob Stringer CBE
Find out more about making a donation to support the Equity Awards.
Apply for an Equity Award
Find out how and when you can apply for an Equity Award.