By Gavin Kaufman, MA Sound (Composition and Sonic Art) student, Bath Spa University

In February 2026, I had the opportunity to travel to Chicago and spend a week sitting in on the Music Composition for the Screen Master’s programme at Columbia College Chicago. Kubilay Uner (Associate Professor) arranged a wonderful week of classes and sessions, during which I was made to feel very welcome. It provided a fantastic insight into how the US education system presents this niche pathway into the industry.

In addition to the course content, I was particularly interested in learning about the student experience and how this might inform my own experience as a student at Bath Spa University on a similar pathway. The contrast between our campuses in terms of geographical setting (inner-city versus countryside), and how this might shape the atmosphere and character of the institution, was also of interest.

Alongside sitting in on classes, I was keen to take the opportunity to speak with faculty about the college’s place within the local South Loop area of the city. It was great to meet with Steven Corey (Dean of Academic Operations and Programming) to discuss Columbia’s history and the broader landscape of higher education today.

The visit was made possible thanks to Bath Spa University’s GALA programme. The Global Academy of Liberal Arts is a global network of creativity spanning national and cultural boundaries to broaden the experience of students and staff. I feel very grateful to have been able to benefit from this wonderful opportunity.

Overall, it was a truly inspiring and insightful week at Columbia College Chicago in a remarkable city.