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Medway student life
There is a lively atmosphere on campus and a thriving student community, which gives you plenty of opportunities to play sport, join a society, socialise or take up a new interest.
Student union
Many social activities are run by the Universities at Medway Students’ Association (UMSA), which represents all students at the shared Medway campus and is there to help ensure you will never be stuck for something to do when you put down your books.
UMSA organises social activities and runs the student bar and the campus shop. Ultimate control of UMSA lies in the hands of the students – each year the student body elects officers to lead and oversee the direction of the Association. The Executive Officers represent students in specific areas such as education, welfare and student activities, ensuring that your opinions and views are considered during decision making. UMSA also trains and supports Student Reps on each course to provide additional support and representation for students.
UMSA has achieved great success, winning three major awards including the National Union of Students (NUS) Best Bar None award and accreditation from the NUS Services Sound Impact Scheme, which rewards good environmental practice.
Societies and groups
The wide range of societies available at Medway through UMSA reflects the diverse nature of the campus community and we aim to have something for everyone. Our societies include St John Ambulance, Running, Islamic, Music and Gaming, to name just a few. Different faiths and nationalities are also well represented. UMSA runs a campus student magazine and is always on the lookout for budding journalists. Alternatively, if you can’t find something that reflects what you’re interested in, UMSA offers help and financial support to start your own society.
Further information
Universities at Medway Students’ Association,
Pilkington Building, North Road,
Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4JB
T: 01634 888989
www.umsa.org.uk
Sports
Medway Park
To enhance Medway’s sports facilities, the University of Kent committed £3 million towards Medway Park. This £11 million project, led by Medway Council, has produced a multi-sport, state-of-the-art facility, located very near to the campus. Kent students receive preferential rates to use its sports halls, pools, squash courts, health suites and athletics track. The University also has dedicated seminar, research and therapy rooms within Medway Park. The venue will be used as a pre-Games training camp venue for 13 Olympic and eight Paralympic sports in the run up to London 2012.
Sport is a great way to get involved in university life and meet new people. There are a growing number of UMSA sports teams based at Medway, which welcome both serious athletes and beginners. Available sports include football, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, rowing, tennis, badminton and basketball. Alternatively if you can’t find something that interests you, UMSA offers help and financial support to start your own sports club or team. The majority of the sports teams compete in the national student leagues run by BUCS – British Universities & Colleges Sport as well as their own on-campus tournaments.
The Medway area includes a range of other sporting facilities, such as a dry ski slope and toboggan run, an ice rink, a go-karting circuit, an Olympic-standard trampoline centre and a number of sports and leisure centres. The Deangate Ridge Sports Complex has an 18-hole golf course, athletics track and gym, and the Arethusa Venture Centre offers a great climbing wall and sailing activities.
back to topClubs and bars
Coopers is the bar at the heart of the Medway campus and serves quality pub food at studentfriendly prices. It has a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere and is equipped with comfy sofas, widescreen TVs (which show all the major sporting fixtures) and a separate pool room. There are regular themed nights and you can party the night away as it has a late licence.
Off campus, the Medway towns have great pubs and clubs which offer regular discounts. Favourite haunts include the Tap ‘n’ Tin which has a variety of rooms each offering a different style of music. Casino Rooms in Rochester is the place to be on Thursday night – you can get in free with your student ID card and there are plenty of promotional deals. Poco Loco in Chatham is great for live bands and, if you fancy heading a bit further afield, Maidstone has a Liquid/Envy nightclub and there’s a Jumping Jaks next door which is famous for its Friday theme nights!
Medway’s excellent location also means you can easily venture out and explore other areas. Maidstone is about 25 minutes away and offers great bars and clubs to suit everyone. London is easily accessible by train.
Medway’s excellent location means you get to sample the best of Kent’s nightlife and, if you fancy a night out in London, the bright lights are less than 50 minutes away by train.
back to topJobs and volunteering
Paid work through temporary or part-time jobs helps to meet your living costs and gives you the opportunity to gain practical experience and workrelated skills while you are studying. UMSA runs Jobshop, a job agency which advertises vacancies in areas such as translation, mentoring, silver service, website development, retail and charity fundraising. The vacancies are accessed via online registration with the website.
Volunteering Service
Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, build your confidence, meet new people, make a difference and improve your career prospects. There are hundreds of volunteering opportunities in the Medway area, involving a huge range of activities. An accredited certificate scheme is also available.
Further information
Volunteering Service, Room G0-05,
Gillingham Building, Chatham Maritime,
Kent ME4 4AG, UK
T: 01634 888874
E: medwayvolunteering@kent.ac.uk
College master
The College Master for Medway is there to offer advice, help and support for all Kent students, and is your first port of call when you need assistance of any kind. Students can arrange to see the College Master at any time during the academic year, and all matters will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
The College Master also runs a busy calendar of social and sporting activities for students at Kent, in addition to those provided by the Students’ Association. On the social side, activities include cultural visits, trips to theme parks, club nights, quizzes, stand-up comedy evenings and shopping trips to the famous Bluewater Shopping Centre. Sporting activities have included specially arranged ‘taster’ sessions for trampolining, horse riding and dry slope skiing, to name just a few.
The College Master also has the role of upholding the University’s student regulations and code of conduct. All students are expected to abide by this code while they study at the University, whether they reside on or off campus.
back to topCultural activities
The campus is five minutes’ walk from a multiplex cinema and there are two theatres in Chatham that offer the very best in comedy, art, drama and music. Medway is a prime location and regularly attracts big names to its venues. The Brook Theatre is home to the Medway Comedy Club, where you can spend an evening with some of the best comics on the UK circuit.