Q: Can students with no basic training in arts and/or crafts apply to this course?
A: Yes. Applicants are expected to have an interest in and some understanding of Chinese and Western traditional art. Our course of study requires commitment, patience and concentration on the part of students, and a willingness to invest the time to complete the training requirements for the course. The outcome will be the achievement of a deeper level of knowledge, significant improvement in skills, and the creation of a portfolio of practical work in traditional arts and crafts.

Q: What are the specific age and academic requirements for this course? 
A: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and have a high school or university degree or equivalent at the time of application. For applicants who do not meet the specific degree requirements, please submit relevant information about your background/skill in arts and crafts, your interests in traditional arts and your motivation in applying for this course. These will be considered in the admissions process. 

Q: At what location are classes held?
A: The main classrooms of the Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts, China Centre, are located on Shiquan Road in the heart of the Suzhou historic district, next to the protected heritage buildings of the Peng's Family Scholar's residence and only a ten-minute walk from the famous Master of the Nets Garden located on the same street. Some of the courses involve visiting to these world-heritage gardens as part of the learning process. Some of the classes involving special arts and crafts subjects and/or requiring specialized tools and equipment will take place at partner sites in Suzhou. 

Q: How is the school year structured? Are there any holidays?
A: Instructors from the Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London and from the China Centre in Suzhou will alternate in teaching different class modules. Full-time classes will take place from Monday to Friday. There will be no classes on weekends or national holidays, with the exception of special activities arranged from time to time. There will also be a one-month winter vacation scheduled around Chinese Lunar New Year. 

Q: Does the tuition cover the cost of course materials as well?
A: Yes, the tuition fee covers all the various costs associated with coursework during the academic year. It does not cover accommodation, meals or daily incidentals.

Q: What is the approximate cost of housing in Suzhou for one year?
A: The monthly rent of a single room in the vicinity of Shiquan Street in Gusu District, Suzhou is about 2,500-2,800 yuan. The area around the China Centre is very convenient for transportation and there are supermarkets, medical facilities and many other amenities located nearby. The district is a pleasant oasis in the midst of the city.  

Q: Do classes include IELTS English language training? If my standard of English isn't very strong, will that be a problem? 
A: Each class in Western traditional arts will have a teaching assistant on site who is a Master's degree graduate from the Price's Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London. The teaching assistant will act as translator and will also help to tutor students in all the materials taught in class. This course does not require nor include English-language training classes (such as IELTS), but students can improve their listening and speaking skills in traditional art-related areas both in the classroom and in after-school communication with teachers. Students who wish to apply to continue their studies either at The Prince's Foundation School for Traditional Arts in London, or at other overseas institutions, should seek a professional language school to improve their English test-taking proficiency. 

Q: After successfully completing the one-year course, can a student without a BA degree be admitted to the Master's Degree programme at The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts? 
A: The requirement for application to the Master's programme at The School is an Undergraduate Degree or an equivalent level of experience.If the applicant does not have a BA degree or the equivalent, a CV and letters of recommendation from two referees are also required to confirm the applicant's level of knowledge and practical experience. One main criteria of consideration for admission are the applicant's personal portfolio; The School's tutors on the Foundation Course will support students interested to apply to the MA course and advise them on their development as the course progresses.

Q: Will I receive a formal degree or a certificate after successfully completing the course?
A: This one-year course in Suzhou is a pre-Degree, Foundation Level course (Level 3). At the end of the school year, the Foundation Certificate in Traditional Arts will be awarded to those students who successfully complete the course. The Certificate guarantees that the student's training meets the expectations of the UK education department and that under the guidance and requirements of The School, the student has achieved a Foundationlevel of skills and knowledge in traditional arts and crafts. For a detailed description of this Certificate, please email our staff.

Q: Do I need to provide an art portfolio when applying to The School? 
A: It is not necessary to do so when you submit your application; however, you are requested to bring a portfolio of visual works with you to the interview. If you do not have visual works to submit, then you are requested to give a detailed explanation of your intentions and goals in applying to the course, as well demonstrating as your knowledge and understanding of art. 

Q: After completing this course, if I enter the Master of Arts programme at The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London, will my MA degree be recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education? 
A: Both the Master's and the Doctoral degrees from The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts are awarded by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Degrees awarded by this University are officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.