FAQs

The Medway School of Arts is situated in the Sail & Colour Loft in the Historic Dockyard Chatham.

You will be able to access the Dockyard from Monday-Friday during term time with your student ID badge. You will be able to visit the Dockyard buildings, but you will not be able to enter paid for exhibitions. Please do not enter the residential areas of the Dockyard.

You will have access to the Dockyard during weekends and holidays if there is an event at the Medway School of Arts which you are involved in. You will not have access to the wider Dockyard area.

Yes, you will be able to access our Medway and Maidstone campuses with your ID badge.

We appreciate that studying at College is more than just a qualification, and life might not always go to plan! You will be able to receive financial support and careers advice as a College student. This may be at the Dockyard or at the Medway Campus. Please specify on your application form if you have specific support needs so we can ensure you are supported during your time with us.

Medway School of Arts follows a slightly different academic year. You can find out more on our Term Dates page.

Our university partner, the University of Kent, can support you in finding suitable accommodation for during your studies.

Medway School of Arts is fully accessible for all students. There are parking spaces available directly outside on Church Lane for blue badge holders and a lift available from the main entrance to our studio spaces on the first and second floors. Our studios have adjustable tables too.

Please ensure you complete the relevant sections of the application form so we can ensure the right support is in place for your course. Our team will then contact you directly and answer any questions you may have.

If you are studying a full-time course we recommend that you do not work more than 15 hours per week so you are able to attend your lectures, workshops and complete your individual study time. If you need financial support during your time at College, please check out our student finance pages.

A work experience placement is a mandatory component if you are studying the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and our undergraduate degree programmes. Through your placement you’ll develop communication and organisational skills which are essential for your future career. You’ll also gain key contacts through networking within the industry which will benefit your career. We will support you in securing an appropriate placement.

For our Foundation Diploma in Art & Design you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. For our undergraduate programmes, you can apply for a loan through Student Finance England. Please see here for more information.

Yes, please find out more on our student finance pages.

Unfortunately you will not be able to buy supplies on campus. You will be provided with all of the essential equipment required for your practical classes, and advised if any specialist equipment is required.

For all of our courses you will need to have an English GCSE at grade 9-4/A-C. If you have an alternative qualification from another country please provide this as part of your application. If you are studying the Foundation Degree in Art & Design please email us, or for the undergraduate degrees, please email us here.

You may need to complete a short literacy test to ensure we are giving you the best information, advice and guidance possible.

If you are studying the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, our admissions team will be in touch via email. If you have applied for an undergraduate course, our HE admissions team will be contact you once UCAS has passed your application to us.

All applications will be invited to an interview after you have submitted your application. You will be asked to show a portfolio (either physical or digital) so we can ensure you’re on the right course for you.

At the interview we will normally make you a conditional offer (based on your existing academic achievement) or an unconditional offer (if you have already achieved the entry requirements). Please check out the entry requirements for each course on our course pages.

For the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, you will receive confirmation of an offer by email by our admissions team. For undergraduates degrees, you will receive this offer from UCAS. Please ensure that you accept your offer, and you will then be invited to attend an enrolment session in late August.

For our Foundation Diploma in Art & Design you will need to have at least one A Level in Art & Design or a related subject, or a Level 3 qualification in a creative subject. Mature students without these qualifications will be considered based on their portfolio.

To apply for our undergraduate degrees you will need to have Level 3 qualifications in creative subjects totalling 112 UCAS points or a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.

Unfortunately, there is no refectory directly at the Medway School of Arts campus but there are two café facilities available to you as part of the Dockyard (the Wagon Stop Canteen and the Mess Deck). Additionally, Dockside Shopping Centre is a short walk from the Dockyard (up to 10 minutes) and Chatham town centre is a mile from the Dockyard. You are also able to use the refectory and café at the College’s Medway Campus in Gillingham which is approximately a 25-minute walk away.

You will receive 80 points for a pass, 96 for a merit and 112 for a distinction.

This awarding body specialises in underwriting creative qualifications. They are regulated by Ofqual and you can find out more about them here.

Your course is divided into three parts – Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice, Developing Specialist Practice and Consolidating Practice. The grade you receive for Consolidating Practice will determine your overall grade. Please see the course page for more information. You will attend College for 20.5 hours per week over four days.

Our two-year courses will give you 120 credits in year one, and 120 credits in year two. These credits will then allow you to apply for the top up third year qualification if you would like to achieve a full BA. This third year will mainly consist of a dissertation.

In your first year you’ll study tailored core modules, alongside developing specialist practical skills. You’ll also improve your digital and analysis skills and learn how technology is changing the creative industries.

Your second year will include additional tailored core modules, a work-based learning module, and an exhibition and professional portfolio module. You’ll also exhibit in our end of year show too!

Please find out more information about the specific courses on the relevant course pages.

Free parking at the Medway Campus during core College hours is only for students who are registered as disabled and/or are a blue badge holder.

All students are able to use the Medway Campus car park after 2.30pm.