Applicants for the MAET Courses
The MAET Education Committee look for:
- Applicants who are self-motivated and committed to learning.
- Individuals who are fascinated by science and medicine and how it can be communicated.
- Students who are excited about learning new technologies.
- Visual thinkers who enjoy communicating conceps and ideas using sketches, drawings and diagrams.
- Applicants with a comprehensive portfolio of their own personal work, showing observational drawing in all areas and life-drawing in particular. Examples of medical or scientific artwork may be included, but are not essential.
- Individuals with diverse interdisciplinary academic background, such as biology, art, pharmacology, anatomy, medicine, nursing, humanities, midwifery, biochemisty, graphic design, archaeology and anthropology.
Interviews are held twice a year. Applicants meeting the recommended requirements will be invited for an interview in either March /April or September, for an October start.
Outline of MAET Courses
Both the Advanced Foundation Course in Medical Art and the Postgraduate Programme in Medical Art Course are each part-time, self-directed courses, accommodating students who wish to study either full or part-time and working professionals. Both courses begin in October each year and there are three terms per year, with three seminars per term. Additionally, students attend in-course webinars and workshops and the annual MAA conference. Successful applicants will receive further course details and all necessary information upon acceptance.
Seminars
All seminars are held within the Gordon Museum, King’s College, Guy’s Campus, London SE1. Seminars, webinars, workshops and Assessments are held between 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (UK time). It is expected that students attend all seminars and course events.
Assessments
The Advanced Foundation Course in Medical Art assessment takes place during the last July seminar of the year. A minimum of thirty artworks are required to be completed during the course. Artworks will be selected by the Course Supervisor/s and will be judged by two Examiners. Students who successfully pass, will receive course certificates. Students may be invited to repeat the course if unsuccessful, with each taken on an individual basis.
For the Postgraduate Programme in Medical Art, assessments take place twice each year in April or November, held at The Worshipful Company of Barbers, London EC2. Here the MAET Examining Board reviews and marks completed coursework. Final Assessments take place with a display of all the student’s course artwork and projects, inlcuding 3D models and dissertation.
Completion
The Advanced Foundation Course in Medical Art starts in October through to the following July, with a total of nine seminars over three terms. During each seminar, students are given set homework projects to complete and bring along to the following seminar. The final seminar concludes with a student exhibition and assessment.
The Postgraduate Programme in Medical Art course has a set curriculum and structured tutorials, designed over four years, the first year being the Advanced Foundation Course. Each year has a total of nine seminars over three terms. However, if a student wishes to approach the course as full-time study, they could complete within two years, with Assessments and Final Examination. Extension of the course and repeating years are considered on an individual basis. Upon successful completion of the course, students become Professional Members of the Medical Artists’ Association of Great Britain.
The fees for this self-directed Postgraduate Programme in Medical Art are kept very low, giving flexibility and allowing each student to finance themselves.
For the academic year commencing October 2025:
- Registration Fee £1,075
Fees for enrolled and Registered MAET students:
- Seminar fees £563 per term (£1,689 per year)
- Material and equipment deposit £60 (a single returnable fee)
- Retainer fee £186 (per term)
- Webinars and workshops fees range between £10 – £80 per event (allow for 4 to 6 events per annum)
- Conferences between £75 – £395 per event (allow for one per annum)
Fees for Overseas students and visiting professionals, fees are separate and supplied upon application.
Students offered a place on this self-directed Postgraduate Programme are required to pay the Registration Fee upon acceptance. This Fee covers each student for four calendar years, beyond this time, or for Re-Registration a further Registration Fee becomes due.
There are three terms per year and three seminars per term. The seminar fee is due on or before the first date of each term. All fees are non-refundable (except the material and equipment deposit).
The Medical Artists’ Educational Trust reserves the right to revise fees when necessary.
All students are responsible for their own travel expenses to attend seminars, workshops and the annual MAA conference. Students also need to make sufficient financial allowances for the cost of materials, reference books, research commitments and computer equipment i.e. laptops and computers, and all up-to-date programs required for the course.
Payment
All payments and cheques are to be made payable to the Medical Artists’ Education Trust in pounds sterling (GBP), for all students whether UK-based or overseas.
Each student is required to be a fully paid-up Student Member of the Medical Artists’ Association of Great Britain (MAA), this is a separate annual fee and will be collected centrally by the MAET each autumn term and forwarded to the MAA.
Applicant Education
Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited college or university for entry into the MAET courses.
Applicants can have either science or art backgrounds
Interview Portfolio Requirements
All applicants must submit a digital portfolio of original creative work on application to the course. There is an upload button on the Application form at the end of this web page. The application form with images must be received a week before the interviews. The portfolio must contain at least 20 original pieces of creative work drawn within the last five years. Specific required works are listed below. All artwork must be drawn from direct observation – not from photographs or videos unless the photo or video was taken by the applicant.
General observational drawing
Realistic drawings, produced from direct personal observation, demonstrate draughtsmanship in rendering form, tonal values, light and shade, texture, proportion, perspective; and ability to render detail. We recommend drawing items which are different to those shown here.
Colour
Examples of accomplished use of watercolour or other paint or mixed media should be included, demonstrating the ability to understand colour theory and the creation of form, tone and texture.
Graphic design
Design integrating artwork, images, information graphics and typography as appropriate for the intended audience.
Life drawing
A minimum of ten-figure studies, drawn from observation of a model, demonstrating advanced observational skills. At least three studies are to be full-figure poses, some hand and feet studies, either in line, monochrome or colour.
All subjects must be rendered from direct observation, not photographic reference. It is not necessary to include medical or scientific subjects. Artwork may be a combination of digital and traditional methods. Sketchbooks to be included. All works are to be recent from within the last five years.
Additional pieces
Additional examples of artwork may be included for example, digital artwork, sculpture and 3D representations (quality prints are acceptable), printed materials and photography. Additional subject areas could include: botanical, biological, or other scientific illustrations. No slides.
Personal Statement
All applicants are to include a short personal statement with their portfolio.
Application may be made at any time during the year (for an October start) however applications and supporting documents must be received no later than the advertised deadline date, this information can be found on the homepage, a week before the next advertised interview date. Candidates qualifying for consideration will be invited to a formal interview, with a portfolio review of their original artwork.
Interview and formal portfolio review with the education committee
The Education Committee will review all complete applications and if they are satisfied with the application and digital portfolio, applicants may be invited for an interview with the committee. White an in-person interview is best for all, interviews can be conducted online with a video conference call. Interviews are by invitation only and applicants who interview successfully will be informed a week after the interview. Interviews are scheduled for March and September at the Barber-Surgeons Hall in London. Travel and accommodation for the interview are the responsibility of the applicant.
At in-person interviews, applicants are required to bring their physical portfolio for review by the committee. Also bringing sketchbooks is highly recommended and for the convenience of the applicants, photographs can be used for large sculptures or artwork that has already been sold. All work must be tangible originals or prints, however, eBooks or interactive media will be allowed. Applicants must bring their own tablet or laptop to display digital items of portfolio.