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My journey to Goldsmiths University with Kings

19 Nov, 2020
My journey to Goldsmiths University with Kings

Ana, from Mexico, recently completed the Art and Design Foundation course at Kings London, and was accepted by all five of her chosen universities. She is now studying at Goldsmith’s University, and we recently caught up with her to find out about her experience both at Kings, and at university so far.

Hi Ana. Which course did you take at Kings? What was your specialism?

My course was the Art and Design Foundation. It was like an experimental course for me because I wasn’t sure what type of design I wanted to do, which lead me to later choose Goldsmiths — they have a course called ‘BA Design’ and it’s really broad and open. I’m still trying to find what my specialism is.

Why did you choose to study at Kings London?

To be honest it was really unexpected. First, I arrived at Kings with the purpose of learning English for 6 months — like a gap year. Later, to be honest, the political situation in my country became really dangerous so my father recommended that I study in the UK as it would be safer and more secure.

I started investigating what I could do to study Art at university in the UK and I found out that I needed to do an Art Foundation. Because I already knew the school and staff, I decided to take the foundation at Kings.

I did the Intensive Course for 6 months, and then later started the Art and Design Foundation.

It was all really unexpected!

Which universities did you apply to, and which undergraduate degree are you studying?

I’m studying for a BA in Design at Goldsmiths right now, but I applied to UAL, Kingston, Camberwell College of Arts, and also Middlesex. Camberwell and Middlesex were my insurance options, and the others were my top choices.

I was accepted to all five of them, and in the end I chose Goldsmiths because the course was better for me. At the other universities, I’d applied for Graphic Design.

How is the semester going so far? Are your classes face-to-face, or online?

I have both, but they’re mainly online and to be honest it’s a bit depressing as a Fresher [first year student]. People are quite shy with talking online and so there’s not much interaction between people. I do have some classes in the studio, but not many people are going at the moment which isn’t nice.

However,

"I like my classes, I like my teachers and I’m learning a lot, so hopefully the next term we’re able to have more human interaction. I’m a creative person who likes to see stuff and have interaction with people around me and get inspired, but right now, it’s just me and my laptop!"

Are you still happy with your choice of university?

Yeah, I’m happy — I’m learning a lot and I like the course.

How have you found the transition from Kings London to University?

Well, I was already studying at university in Mexico before I came to the UK, so I’ve experienced it before. When I started the Foundation course however, I learnt more than I did in my one year at University in Mexico. The only thing I’ve found a bit hard is the language and keeping up with all the lessons in English.

How did you decide which university to apply to? What was the process?

It was quite random! As an international student, I didn’t know which universities were good or bad, and had no idea about rankings and stuff.

“I think a lot of the rankings you see on the internet are just subjective, so what really helped me was my teachers. “

For example, Giuseppina recommended Goldsmiths. Since the first project, she told me “You should apply to Goldsmiths — it’s hard, but you should have a goal in mind.”

"All the universities that I applied to accepted me so then I had no idea which one to go for! In the end, it was more by feeling that I made my choice. Also, the interviews with the tutors helped me to decide."

Did you have to have interviews for all the universities that you applied for?

Yes, it was online, but we had interviews for all of them where we talked about the portfolio.

Did you feel supported by the teachers and other staff at Kings London?

Yes, definitely, all the time.

Did you stay in the residence when you were at Kings?

Yes, I did. It was good fun, and that’s why I know all the staff and teachers well. The people really know me at this school.

Are you still in touch with friends you made at Kings?

Yes, 100%.

Overall, how was your experience at Kings London?

"It was really nice community to be part of. It was amazing, and I really miss my school!"

What advice would you give to someone considering the Art and Design Foundation who wants to apply to Goldsmiths?

I’m not sure I’m the right person to give advice because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to study in the future, but I would say, be experimental, and work hard!