Goldsmiths MFA students report severe mental health crisis as they demand refunds

A group of master of fine art students at Goldsmiths, University of London, is seeking financial compensation after more than five months of strike action left them with little formal instruction.

The industrial dispute has disrupted the autumn term for students on the two-year MFA programme. At a gathering held on Friday, an international student told The Guardian that induction sessions frequently devolved into discussions about the ongoing conflict. The student described the arrival experience as shocking, noting that they had been excited to begin their studies but were met with a chaotic environment.

Florence Sweeney, a part-time student, stated that many fine art students had received virtually no teaching this term. She characterized the situation as a financial drain and reported that classmates were experiencing distress, anxiety, and depression. Sweeney noted that some students had relocated from other countries only to arrive without proper briefings. A collective of these students is now pursuing remuneration for the lost learning time.

The university has faced financial pressure in recent years due to falling applications in core humanities subjects and the reduction of domestic tuition fees. One staff member described the resulting management response as non-stop rounds of redundancies and restructuring. Goldsmiths is historically associated with prominent artists such as Steve McQueen, Sarah Lucas, and Damien Hirst.

The current action involves members of the University and College Union (UCU) who have been on indefinite strike since early June. The dispute began in April as a marking boycott over proposed job cuts. Management deducted 100% of pay from participating staff, a move the union argued constituted a lockout. Joe Newman, co-president of the Goldsmiths UCU branch, attributed the strike to the unprecedented scale and speed of the cuts. He reported that students were largely supportive and often aghast when informed of the reasons for the walkout.

University officials stated that approximately 8.5% of staff are currently on strike, leaving most of the student body unaffected. A spokesperson said the institution has offered compromises, including a pause on compulsory redundancies, but maintained the 100% pay deductions for the initial marking boycott. The university cited large sums spent to ease the impact on students as the reason for retaining the deductions. The spokesperson added that the university faces significant financial challenges and that continued disruption risks harming its reputation.

MFA students expressed disappointment given the cost of the programme, which charges full-time UK students nearly £15,000 annually and international students £33,000. John Carver, a part-time second-year student, suspended his studies after a dismal departmental meeting at the start of the term. He praised the regular tutors but noted that replacements brought in did not know the students. James Evans, an international student from the US, said visa and funding restrictions required him to stay on the course despite the disruption. Evans reported receiving no marks last year and no feedback on projects. He described this year as lacking structure and communication, leaving students to their own devices.

The strike is entering its 21st week with no end in sight. The university said it is offering regular updates, meetings with schools, and other support to affected students.