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CONTENTS

1. Why study in Plymouth?

2. About Plymouth

3. University of Plymouth

4. Plymouth Marjon University

5. Arts University Plymouth

6. Living in Plymouth

7. Entry requirements

8. Transport links

9. Getting around Plymouth

10. Things to do in Plymouth

Why study in Plymouth?

As well as a thriving student population and social scene, Plymouth is also a haven for sea swimmers and surfers, with every nautical activity you can possibly imagine. It’s home to the largest natural harbour in the world and has a rich maritime history. So, if you love the sea, countryside and culture, Plymouth might just be the perfect choice for you.

About Plymouth

Nestled between the Devon moors and the coast, Plymouth is a popular UK location. It is a small and diverse city with a reputation for its safe nights out, making it an ideal place for students. Although its history dates back to the Bronze Age, Plymouth is a modern and vibrant city. With hidden coves and pristine beaches, modern galleries and street festivals, there’s lots to enjoy.

University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth offers research-focused degrees grounded in sustainability, with an emphasis on learning from real-world experience.

Location

University of Plymouth's campus sits near the centre of the friendly city of Plymouth, between the sea, Cornwall and Dartmoor. Accommodation in university halls is guaranteed for first-year students that make Plymouth their firm first choice and apply by the deadline.

Facilities

University of Plymouth's library is open 24/7 in term time and 8am–8pm at other times, and study spaces are available 24 hours a day, all year round.

The Student Hub provides all the support students need – from careers services to health and wellbeing support for body and mind, and advice on disabililty support, money management or issues affecting international students. Working alongside it, the multifaith chaplaincy helps students regardless of their religious background.

Campus cafes are open to all, offering a wide range of food and drink. For students and staff with children, Freshlings nursery provides on-campus childcare.

See University of Plymouth profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Plymouth Marjon University

Plymouth Marjon University was established 180 years ago and was at one time known as the University of St Mark & St John. It offers students a personalised education delivered in small class groups. It specialises in health, teaching, sport, social sciences, arts and business, and has strong links with local employers.

Location

Plymouth Marjon is a campus-based uni that’s easy to get around and most lectures and classes are only a few minutes’ walk from accommodation. It’s a 30–40-minute bus ride to the city centre, with a frequent bus service and discounted student tickets. Accommodation is on-campus and university-owned, with 24/7 security and on-site maintenance. Halls are a popular choice for first years, while mature and continuing students opt for shared houses in the Student Village.

Facilities

Marjon’s library provides over 170,000 books (print or online) plus 16,000 journals, and students can use the 24-hour computer suite, with laptops available for long-term loan.

Marjon’s chaplains provide support for people of all faiths and none. There's a nursery on site for the children of staff and students. Campus amenities include a shop, various eateries and a bar, an arts centre and a cinema room.

See Plymouth Marjon University profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Arts University Plymouth

Arts University Plymouth prepares its graduates for the world of work by encouraging them to bring creative solutions to complex issues. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and pre-degree courses in art, design and digital media.

Location

Arts University Plymouth has a city-centre campus. Accommodation with the uni’s recommended provider, Host, is within a 5–15-minute walk of university buildings. A wide variety of rented student houses and flats are also available across the city for those who prefer not to live in halls.

Facilities

Arts University Plymouth’s library is home to more than 25,000 physical and digital resources. It’s open from 8.30am–8.00pm and has a quiet space with a Mac suite, communal study areas, private study rooms, collections, and a comfy sofa area.

Students can access over 6,000 items of kit free of charge from the Equipment Resource Centre, including industry-standard photography, film and audio apparatus. A refectory serves breakfast, lunch, and a wide range of drinks and snacks, providing students the opportunity to grab a bite to eat, work with course mates, or relax between lectures.

See Arts University Plymouth profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Living in Plymouth

Students can live in student halls on campus at the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University. At Arts University Plymouth, student halls of residence are located in the centre of Plymouth just a short walk from campus.

Living in halls is a common choice for many first-year students who want to make friends and immerse themselves in the university experience. Check the university website for specific details about the accommodation on offer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course – the best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our  and see what each course’s entry requirements are.

Transport links

Average train journey times from Plymouth

Getting around Plymouth

Travelling by bus or car is the easiest way to get around Plymouth but you can also make the most of being on the coast by getting a water taxi or boat to visit nearby attractions at admire the coastline.

Walk

There are many scenic walking trails around Plymouth, particularly with Dartmoor National Park so close by. The University of Plymouth and Arts University Plymouth are both centrally located, making it easy to walk between uni and the city.

Cycle

Plymouth is a top destination for cycling, with exciting mountain bike trails, winding woodlands and coastal paths all set up for budding cyclists. This is a great way to see the spectacular scenery of Devon and Cornwall.

Bus

Plymouth Citybus is the main local bus service running in and around the city. If studying at Plymouth Marjon University, you will need to catch a bus into town. This is a 40-minute journey door to door.

Train

You can easily travel between Plymouth and London by train in just over three hours. Trips to or from cities in the north, such as Manchester, can be expected to take about five hours. You can also hop on a train to other parts of the west coast to explore nearby towns and cities.

Things to do in Plymouth

There’s plenty of entertainment, shopping, activities and restaurants to keep you busy while studying in Plymouth. Whether you want to surround yourself with nature, peruse an art gallery or grab a bite to eat with friends, Plymouth has something to suit every occasion.

Art and culture

The art scene is thriving in Plymouth with many famous artists living there. If you enjoy going to the latest exhibitions, head to The Box, a gallery and museum housing paintings, ceramics, prints, sculptures, photography and film.

You can also find a lot of artistic activity at the universities themselves. For example, on the University of Plymouth campus, The Arts Institute provides a range of events and exhibitions throughout the year. For film buffs, there’s Plymouth Arts Cinema which is based on the Arts University Plymouth campus.

Plymouth also hosts a range of cultural events such as open-air cinemas, outdoor theatres and street markets.

Food and drink

Plymouth has all the high street favourites where you can find British classics such as fish and chips, roast dinner, lobster and so on. Plus, you’ll find a range of cuisines from all over the world. For some of the best food in Plymouth, head to the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Royal William Yard and the city centre.

Even if you’re on a tight budget, Plymouth has a range of cheap eats to explore. Affordable options include Cap'n Jaspers, serving burgers with a choice of filling, and noodles or rice bowls from A Taste of Thailand – perfect for a tasty treat without breaking the bank.

Outdoors

If you love the outdoors and spending your weekends on rolling hills, Plymouth might be the perfect place for you. With Dartmoor National Park on your doorstep, green spaces are plentiful. Whether you’re into cycling, swimming, walking, surfing or kayaking, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor activities in Plymouth.

This part of the country is famous for its spectacular scenery with rugged cliffs, bright blue sea and lush green countryside. For more beautiful coastline, you can easily get the train to Cornwall.

Nightlife

Although Plymouth is a relaxing coastal city during the day, there’s also lots going on at night. From bars and pubs to clubs and comedy, you’ll find a range of evening entertainment in Plymouth.

There are several clubs to choose from, with music to suit every taste – so whether you’re into techno, house, DNB or pop, Plymouth has it covered. There’s also live music and festivals throughout the year and club nights hosted by the universities themselves.

For a more civilized evening, check out the bars and cocktail lounges on the harbour front for a very European experience.