About UMSA – FAQs!

The Universities at Medway Students’ Association (UMSA) is the students’ organisation for the Universities of Greenwich, Kent and Canterbury Christ Church at the shared Universities at the Medway campus in Chatham Maritime.

The Association facilitates representation and provides activities, advice and wide-ranging services to its 9,000 students and is the fastest growing student organisation in the UK.

The Association is a partnership between the students’ unions from the Universities of Greenwich, Kent and Canterbury Christ Church and works in collaboration with its stakeholders to achieve its goals.

The Association is an associate member of NUS because all of the partner students’ unions are affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS).

To apply for an NUS Extra card, please go to the Activities Office where you can get your photo taken and your card given to you or the spot.  Or you can order one online at the NUS website - if you do this, select your University/College and then select the Pilkington Building at Medway as the delivery destination.

UMSA’s Mission

The Association is integral to the Universities at Medway project in representing the needs and views of its members whilst providing excellent activities and services. The Association achieves its goals by unifying the students of the Universities of Kent, Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church and Mid Kent College.

UMSA’s Vision

UMSA is recognised as a model of best practice in providing representation, activities and services to students of multiple institutions and surpasses the expectations of its members and stakeholders by contributing to a vibrant and fulfilling student experience.

Student Activities

The Association offers a wide range of student activities including sports, societies and student media.  There is lots of information on this website so please take a look or alternatively please email activities@umsa.org.uk with any specific queries that you may have.

Student Advice

The Association offers a free, impartial and confidential advice service.  There is lots of information about how you contact our advisers on our advice pages or to book an appointment, please email advice@umsa.org.uk

Commercial Services

UMSA runs a convenience store on campus, Essentials which stocks everything from newspapers, magazines, sandwiches to your weekly groceries - it’s summed up in its name!

The Association runs a student pub on campus Coopers which runs a wide range of events from themed nights with DJs to live bands, from quizzes to karaoke.  Coopers is the main hub for student social activity so go along and see what it’s all about.

To apply for an NUS Extra card, please go to the Activities Centre in Pilkington Building between 1.30pm and 3.30pm where you get your photo taken and your card given to you or the spot. Basic cards cost £11.00 and the ISIC cards cost £13.00.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM 1st MAY 2012 until 31st AUGUST 2012 NUS EXTRA CARDS CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED ONLINE.

You can order one online at the NUS website - if you do this online, please remember this can take up to 6 weeks to come through in peak times.  Remember to select your University/College and then select the Pilkington Building at Medway as the delivery destination.  You will receive an email to confirm that your card has been sent and once you have received this email you can pick this up at the Pilkington Reception between 9:00 and 15:00.

There are also several ways to interact with us. 

Website
We have our website, www.umsa.org.uk providing regular news, photos and information on all of the services we offer. 

e-Newsletter
UMSA send out a biweekly email with updates of all the upcoming activities, events and special offers available.  If you haven’t received one of these emails but would like to be added to our list mailing list please contact Claire Dicker at claire@umsa.org.uk

Facebook
We are also on Facebook to ensure that you can receive updates immediately.  Facebook is a great forum for interacting with us and other students and is brilliant for sharing pictures.  To receive updates, please search Universities at Medway Students’ Association (UMSA) and become a fan of our Facebook Page 

Email
We have lots of friendly staff members who are here to help, if you have a quick query that is not answered on our website, feel free to email the relevant staff member who will be more than happy to help you.

Visit our office
We are situated in the Pilkington Building, feel free to pop in and speak to a member of the team

Yes, if you study at the Medway campus from one of the partner institutions then you are a member of UMSA and are able to participate in and utilise the activities and services that we offer.

Yes, you are still a member of your home Student’s Union if you study at the Medway campus.

Still confused? Use our handy guide below to work it out.

University of Kent - You are a member of UMSA and Kent Union. Visit Find out more

University of Greenwich - You are a member of UMSA and SUUG. Visit Find out more

Canterbury Christ Church University - You are a member of UMSA and CCSU

UMSA is a joint project between the partners to provide a presence at the Medway Campus, but you can still access the same activities and services offered by your home Students’ Union.