Politics · United Kingdom · 5 hrs ago
Goldsmiths strike becomes longest in UK higher education history
Goldsmiths staff have been on full strike for 130 days, making it the longest strike in UK higher education history.
The dispute at the London university began over restructuring and proposed academic job cuts.
More than 50 postgraduate fine art students say the action has disrupted their courses, and that 10 of their 12 staff are on strike.
They say students have missed inductions and second-year students are still waiting for marks and feedback on interim assessments.
The university says fewer than 2% of its modules are affected and that it is working to support students.
It says it has made three offers to resolve the dispute, but the latest was rejected by the union.
Goldsmiths staff have been on full strike for 130 days, making it the longest strike in UK higher education history.
The Goldsmiths University and College Union began indefinite full strike action on 8 June over restructuring and proposed academic redundancies.
More than 50 postgraduate fine art students say the dispute has disrupted teaching and course support.
Goldsmiths says it has made three offers to resolve the dispute and that fewer than 2% of university programme modules are currently affected.
- Who
- Members of Goldsmiths University and College Union are striking. Postgraduate fine art students say their studies have been disrupted.
- What
- An indefinite staff strike has lasted 130 days, setting a UK higher education record.
- When
- Full strike action began on 8 June this year and had lasted 130 days by 16 October 2026.
- Where
- Goldsmiths, in London.
- Why
- The union is protesting the university’s restructuring programme and proposed academic redundancies.
Goldsmiths University and College Union
Goldsmiths
Cause of dispute
Goldsmiths University and College Union
The union is taking action over the university’s restructuring programme and proposed academic redundancies.
Goldsmiths
The university says it has engaged with the union and made three offers to reach a resolution.
Impact on students
Goldsmiths University and College Union
Students say the strike has disrupted teaching, inductions, feedback and course support.
Goldsmiths
The university says it has taken steps to minimise the impact and that fewer than 2% of programme modules are currently affected.
GUCU members began taking action short of a strike.
GUCU members began indefinite full strike action.
The strike had lasted 130 days, breaking the record held by the University of Brighton.
The students’ letter says their fees for the term are due by this date.
- Strike duration
- 130 days
- Strike action began
- 8 June
- Students raising concerns
- More than 50 postgraduate fine art students
- Staff on strike in MFA cohort
- 10 out of 12
- Recovery programme savings
- £7.6m in recurrent savings
- Transformation programme savings
- £16.1m in savings
What people are saying
Fewer than 2% of programme modules across the university are currently impacted by industrial action.
Any disruption is regrettable, and our priority remains supporting students to progress and complete their studies successfully.
Before enrolling, incoming students were not told the extent of the strike, or how severely it would affect teaching.