Goldsmiths strike: MFA students seek refunds as tuition costs mount

Ten of the twelve tutors on the master of fine art (MFA) program at Goldsmiths, University of London, are currently on strike action. This shortage has left many students in the south-east London university with virtually no teaching since the autumn term began. The dispute has forced a group of MFA students to demand compensation for the lost learning time.

The industrial action is part of a wider dispute involving University and College Union (UCU) members that has now lasted for 21 weeks. The conflict started in April when staff boycotted marking duties in protest against proposed job cuts. Management responded by deducting 100% of pay from participating staff, a move the union described as a lockout. Following a formal vote, the UCU branch at the university has maintained an indefinite strike since early June.

Florence Sweeney, a part-time student on the MFA course, stated that many of her peers have received little to no instruction this term. She described the situation as a financial drain, noting that some classmates have become distressed and anxious. Sweeney pointed out that some students traveled from other countries to attend the program only to find that induction sessions turned into discussions about the strike.

One international student told reporters at a gathering on Friday that they had been excited to start their studies but were shocked by the disruption. The university argues that only 8.5% of its total staff are on strike, meaning most students are unaffected. Management said it offered compromises, including a pause on compulsory redundancies, but refused to waive the pay deductions for the earlier marking boycott.

The university faces financial pressure from falling applications in humanities and changes to domestic tuition fees. A staff member described the recent years as involving constant rounds of redundancies and restructuring. Joe Newman, a co-president of the Goldsmiths UCU branch, said the strike is a response to the scale and speed of these cuts. He noted that students were largely supportive of the action and felt aghast upon learning the reasons for the dispute.

John Carver, a part-time second-year student, suspended his studies after a departmental meeting at the start of the term. He praised the regular tutors but said the replacements did not know the students. James Evans, an international student from the United States, said he had to stay on the course due to visa and funding restrictions. Evans reported that he received no marks last year and still lacks feedback on projects from that time.

The MFA program charges full-time UK students nearly £15,000 per year and international students £33,000. Evans said the current term lacks structure and communication, leaving students to manage their work independently. The university stated it is offering regular updates and meetings with schools to support affected students.