New opportunities for Lewisham Southwark College students under Goldsmiths partnership

Goldsmiths, University of London and Lewisham Southwark College have signed a new agreement to open up opportunities for students who may never have considered going to university.

Goldsmiths’ Warden Patrick Loughrey and Lewisham Southwark College Principal Carole Kitching signed a progression agreement on Thursday 16 June 2016 at an afternoon event on Goldsmiths’ New Cross campus.

The partnership aims to strengthen the university’s links with the local further education college, providing opportunities for progression from the college to Goldsmiths by making guaranteed offers for applicants from the college who meet our entry requirements.

Goldsmiths has pledged to prioritise Lewisham Southwark College students for attendance at relevant ‘Goldclass’ master classes and Summer Schools, and will facilitate visits to the Goldsmiths campus.

Under the agreement, Goldsmiths’ Student Recruitment and Outreach teams will undertake further work to encourage students from the college to apply for a degree, assisting them with the different progression routes available.

Goldsmiths staff will be available to Lewisham Southwark College to provide information, advice and guidance on available courses, writing personal statements, portfolio preparation, presentation skills, and student finance.

The agreement covers students studying a wide range of subjects at Lewisham Southwark College and involves seven Goldsmiths departments: Art, Computing, Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship, Institute of Management Studies, Music, Theatre and Performance and Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies.

Speaking ahead of the signing, Carole Kitching said: “I’m delighted that the important relationship between Goldsmiths and Lewisham Southwark College is further developing through the signing of this progression agreement.

“This is a significant step in opening up opportunities to our students who may never have considered going to university before and we are proud to be working with Goldsmiths who share our ambition for our students.”

Patrick Loughrey emphasised Goldsmiths' pride in being located in the borough of Lewisham and noted the financial assistance available to students from the local community, and former Lewisham Southwark College student Muna Aboukar talked about her route to Goldsmiths.

After the agreement signing, representatives from both institutions enjoyed a performance by music students from Lewisham Southwark College and a tour of Goldsmiths’ Media and Communications students’ degree show.