The City of London Corporation’s Education Board has agreed £320,000 in funding to support 35 Equity Awards for undergraduate students from ethnic minority backgrounds to study at Goldsmiths, University of London.

The money will fund bursaries over a three-year period, to support students in their studies.

The students will also become part of a programme that lends pastoral and academic support.  

Goldsmiths delivers world-leading research and teaching from its single-site campus in New Cross, in southeast London.

Areas of focus across its 18 academic departments span the arts, humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, computing, law, teaching, social work, and business management.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Education Board, Caroline Haines, said:

“We are committed to preparing young people to flourish in a rapidly changing world by providing access to exceptional education, cultural and creative learning, and the skills which link to the world of work.

“London needs a diverse and resilient future workforce, with job opportunities available to people of all backgrounds, so its businesses can compete globally and create lasting value for people across the UK.

“Our funding demonstrates the City Corporation’s commitment to higher education and our support for lifelong learning, especially to people who would not otherwise get the opportunity to study at undergraduate level.  

“We are therefore delighted to offer this funding to Goldsmiths.”

The City Corporation sponsors 10 high-performing academies across Hackney, Islington, Newham, and Southwark through the City of London Academies Trust.

It has twice been named by social mobility charity, Sutton Trust, as the UK’s best academy sponsor for empowering pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform above the national average.

Professor Frances Corner OBE, Warden of Goldsmiths, said:

“Forging partnerships with organisations like the City Corporation is so important to Goldsmiths. By working with partners who share our values we can make a difference in creating an equal society.

“Education makes a vital contribution to individual and collective wellbeing, and we know that this programme will play forward so many benefits. 

“This contribution will support our students to achieve their full potential and ensure that Goldsmiths can provide an inclusive environment and help overcome systemic inequalities which many continue to face today.”

The City Corporation is also the local education authority for one maintained primary school in the City of London, and the proprietor of four independent schools and two associate schools.

Notes to Editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK –  www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Funding from the City Corporation reaches back to Goldsmiths' foundation in 1891. Then, the Goldsmiths' Company City Livery Company provided backing for an institution which supported the education of local working-class men and women. Goldsmiths became part of the University of London in 1904 and more recent alumni includes the filmmaker and artist Steve McQueen, writer Bernardine Evaristo and government advisor Dame Louise Casey.

About Goldsmiths, University of London

Founded in 1891, Goldsmiths, University of London is an institution with a rich academic history that is known for its creative approach. Its 10,000 students are based on campus in the heart of south east London's New Cross community, studying undergraduate, postgraduate, teacher training and Short Courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, psychology, computing, and entrepreneurial business, law and management. Goldsmiths research shapes the future, changes lives and is at the forefront of creative practice with nearly four-fifths of our research rated internationally excellent or world-leading by the Research Excellence Framework 2021. A College of the University of London, Goldsmiths provides a community-focused cultural hub through Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, a globally-recognised art gallery, and an extensive programme of free lectures, concerts and events across the organisation which are open to all.