Goldsmiths, University of London
Curating BA (Hons)
Goldsmiths, University of London

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 45 graduates of Curating BA (Hons) and other courses in history of art, architecture and design at Goldsmiths, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in history of art, architecture and design.

Overall student satisfaction
52 /100
45 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24413 £23226 £27066
25-75 percentile range £20250 - £29200 £16916 - £28047 £20714 - £34794

Course Description

Do you want to advance your knowledge of contemporary art and pursue a professional career in the field of curatorial practice

  • Curating refers to a wide range of activities including the care of collections and the development of exhibitions, festivals, screenings, digital platforms and more. Curators engage with historical knowledge and respond to urgent social issues, staging culture as a way of bringing together multiple publics.
  • Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths has been at the forefront of curatorial research for well over a decade, helping to redefine the profession. Drawing from this research, taught by leading curators and researchers, this degree combines a strong grounding in art history and contemporary cultural theory with the development of practical know-how and industry experience.
  • Alongside compulsory modules on the history, theory and practice of curating, you will be able to choose additional modules in art history, fashion, technology and performance, allowing you to focus your interests and get the most out of your degree. You will gain a good understanding of both the history of art and the history of exhibitions, learning how curatorial work shapes our understanding of visual culture.
  • The course will support you in developing a wide set of curatorial skills. Over three years you will work on a variety of assignments closely mentored by course staff and practising curators. This will allow you to become a more critical thinker and confident researcher, able to shape your curatorial projects successfully and communicate your work to a wide variety of audiences.
  • Students become familiar with the dynamics of different professional settings, from large museums to volunteer-run organisations and digital spaces through both visits and on-site project experience. A core component of the course is a placement within an arts organisation during the second year.

In the past, students have worked with The Wellcome Collection, the Sir John Soane’s Museum, Cubitt, The Women’s Art Library, Bethlem Gallery, The Showroom, Gasworks, Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Queens Museum (NY) and charities such as Single Housing Project. In their third year, students collaborate to organise a public exhibition with partner institutions, which further develops their skills in planning, programming and publicising exhibitions and events.

  • Fostering collaboration and peer support is a crucial aspect of the course. BA Curating students benefit from their own dedicated room, which they can use to stage work-in-progress, organise events and socialise around their course commitments. They are encouraged to initiate their own projects or join some of the existing ones, like The Art Columnist journal.

They can also enjoy a rich programme of public events within the Visual Cultures department and the wider Goldsmiths community as well as the world-class exhibitions at the newly opened Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art.

Why study BA Curating at Goldsmiths

  • Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths is internationally renowned for its research on Curatorial Practice and you'll be learning from leading theorists and practitioners.
  • You will study compulsory modules on curatorial history, theory and practice alongside option modules in art history and visual culture that allow you to focus on your particular interests.
  • You will be mentored to develop the know-how and practical skills necessary to practice as a contemporary art curator through a number of practical assignments as well as an industry placement in your second year.
  • You will develop your ability to work collaboratively and will work with your peers in your third year towards your degree show.
  • You will be supported to develop student-led projects and will have access to our dedicated Curating Room to host your events.
  • Our London location means you’ll never run out of galleries, events, museums and visual culture to explore in the capital.

You’ll be assessed mostly through coursework. Normally this consists of essays, sometimes accompanied by creative projects, group projects, multi-media projects, presentations, symposia, reviews, and studio work.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

With a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Curating, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

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.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2

University Rankings

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

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

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