Goldsmiths, University of London
Computational Arts MFA (PG)
Goldsmiths, University of London

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Computational Arts MFA (PG) at Goldsmiths, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Anthropology.

Overall student satisfaction
40 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in sociology, social policy and anthropology

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Anthropology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £23500 £28000
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £27500 £16500 - £28000 £20000 - £33000


Salary of all UK Graduates of sociology, social policy and anthropology

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25000 £22450 £26876
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £28000 £16925 - £28392 £20314 - £34845

Course Description

Study a degree which develops your arts practice through the expressive world of creative computation. The Masters provides you with the historical foundations, frameworks and critical skills to produce a series of projects for public exhibition.

What is computational art?

  • Computation consists of all the changes brought about by digital technology. Art is an open set of ways of acting inventively in culture. Mixing the two together in a systematic way gives us computational art. This is a very open field, and one that is set to expand enormously in the coming years. It is where the most exciting developments in technology and in culture can already be found. This degree will place you in the middle of this fast-evolving context.

What will I learn?

  • This degree develops your arts practice through the expressive world of creative computation. Over two years (full-time) or four years (part-time) you will develop your artistic work and thinking through the challenge of developing a series of projects for public exhibition which will explore the technological and cultural ramifications of computation.

  • Since computational artworks don’t necessarily involve computers and screens, we also encourage students to produce works across a diverse range of media. Supported by studio technicians in state-of-the-art facilities, our students are producing works using tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics, wearable technologies, paint, sculpture and textiles.

  • You will also study contextual modules on computational art and the socio-political effects of technology. Modules provide students with the historical foundations, frameworks, critical skills and confidence to express their ideas effectively. You will have the opportunity to learn the cultural histories of technology, to reflect on computation in terms of its wider cultural effects, and to understand the way in which art provides rigorous ways of thinking.

  • Through our masterclass series, we regularly invite world-class artists and curators to explain their work and engage in critical dialogue with the students. This allows you to develop a wider understanding of the contemporary art scene and how your work sits within the professional art world.

Should I study the MFA or MA Computational Arts?

  • As well as the MFA, we also offer an MA in Computational Arts. The MA is 1 year (full-time), the MFA 2 years (full-time).
  • The first year of the MFA is identical to the MA. You take the same classes and you learn the same things. The differences between the two courses is that in the MFA you get a 2nd year in which you take additional courses which help you develop your arts practice further. These courses mean that you get a space to work under a tutor's supervision.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Computational Arts MFA (PG) at Goldsmiths, University of London

20% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
15% Sales occupations
10% Administrative occupations
5% Design occupations
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Therapy professionals

Grading & Study Time

**In Year 2 you will be assessed by:** self-evaluation report of 2,500 words; essay of up to 6,000 words; viva voce; exhibition of final work.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • (minimum 6.0 in Writing)
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
    • (minimum 6.0 in Writing)
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Computational Arts, MFA (PG), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject or equivalent.

You might also be considered if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme.

Do I need to know how to program in order to join this course?

Having a creative/art background is what we require and not necessarily a technical one. We want to work with people that have some arts practice and want to introduce computation in their work. In the past, we have had performers, film-makers, architects, musicians, painters and some computer scientists join the course. The majority of people on the course don't know how to program when they join us.

When people join us we try to assess their level of skill in order to offer them a challenging learning environment. People that have previous coding experience are encouraged to take more advanced modules and are given assignments in lab and to take home that push their technical and creative skills further.

We feel that this diversity of skills and backgrounds contributes to the course’s great success over the years.

Do I need a strong maths background?

We do not require a maths background nor do we expect people to be strong in maths to do well. Basic arithmetic (addition/subtraction/division etc.) is all you need. We'll remind you in class of any new concepts you'll need. We have a wide range in the class from dancers, writers, film-makers, photographers as well as architects, to computer scientists, etc. We take pride in the diversity of backgrounds the students have and this contributes to the course's success.

Costs

Average student cost of living in London

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Goldsmiths, University of London in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Goldsmiths, University of London in related subject specific rankings.

Computer Science

    • #63 
    • #81 
    Computer Science
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 21 university rankings of Goldsmiths, University of London

About Goldsmiths, University of London

Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths, University of London, is located in the South-Eastern area of London known as New Cross. The facilities are impressive at this university, providing students with Art, TV, and Radio studios, as well as a host of other resources aimed at optimising the experience for students on any of their courses. With Goldsmith’s exceptionally active event calendar, making new connections is easy, giving learners a way to socialise without even having to step foot off campus.

List of 196 Bachelor and Master Courses from Goldsmiths, University of London - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Goldsmiths, University of London

undergraduates:
5445
postgraduates:
2875
Total:
8320
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Where is this programme taught

Goldsmiths, University of London
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