University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth is based in the biggest city in the Southwest of England, providing international students with all the best aspects of British life. With a campus in the centre of a vibrant coastal city, the university is located a short drive from the local beaches and Dartmoor National Park. Plymouth is one of the cheapest cities in the UK to live as a student, with living costs around 48 percent cheaper than London.

Ranked as a top two modern UK university in the Times Higher Education, Young University Rankings 2042, the university has 190,000 alumni across 158 countries and 3,500 current international students, approximately 14 per cent of the student body.

The university has high-quality facilities that help students make the most of their time in the UK. Over GBP 155 million has been invested in the campus, from a new performing arts centre to a marine building with wave tanks and ship simulators and a 24-hour library.

Research conducted by the University of Plymouth is internationally respected. More than three quarters of research was ranked either world-leading or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF). Plymouth is ranked 4th in the world for ‘Life Below Water' in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022. Facilities include a wave machine, a diving centre and three research vessels.

Every year, nearly 4,500 students benefit from Plymouth's work-based learning and placement opportunities. It has won the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education three times.

The teaching and learning support team at Plymouth supports every teaching member of staff to gain a recognised higher education teaching qualification. All degree programmes have incorporated internships, work-based learning or work experience. With this unique combination of teaching excellence and real-life job skills, Plymouth graduates gain more than just a degree.

Teaching Methods

Plymouth is one of a select number of universities in the UK to achieve triple gold in the latest round of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023, gold overall and gold for student experience and student outcomes). Over 4,500 students benefit from placements and work-based learning each year, as well as research-led teaching. The university also offers 'Plymouth Plus' modules in the first year which allow students to work across subjects, broadening their skills-base and enabling them to work collaboratively with students from other subjects.

Research-Informed Teaching

The University of Plymouth is committed to enhancing the link between research in its disciplines, professions and teaching. All academic staff undertake a teaching qualification ensuring that superb teaching quality is maintained.

Rankings and Ratings

• 2^nd best city for quality of life in the UK (Totaljobs 2023)
• 95% of graduates are in work or further study (most recent Graduate Outcomes Survey)
• 2^nd Carbon-neutral university in the UK (PAS 2020)
• Plymouth ranked 3^rd safest cities (Accommodation for students, 2024)

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business

The faculty is comprised of the Plymouth Business School, the Plymouth Graduate School of Management; the School of Law, Criminology and Government; the School of Tourism and Hospitality, the School of Art, Design and Architecture; the School of Humanities and Performing Arts; and the Plymouth Institute of Education. The teaching is research-led and designed to equip students with discipline-specific and transferable skills. The faculty is committed to teaching excellence whether in the studio, a seminar room, or in extra-curricular activities.

Faculty of Health

The faculty consists of three schools, namely Health Professions; Nursing and Midwifery; and Psychology. The schools combine world-leading research and practical expertise across a wide range of scientific and practical disciplines. Graduates progress to a huge variety of professions, and Plymouth is one of the UK's largest providers of graduates for the health and social care sector, which has over 350 different career paths.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Various study options are offered across the faculty's School of Biological and Marine Sciences; School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences; and the School of Engineering. With excellent laboratories, exciting field trips and internships, students will develop their practical skills alongside their academic knowledge.

Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry

The School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences; School of Dentistry; and School of Medicine offer students exceptional clinical learning opportunities, strong social engagement, and world-class research.

Entry requirements for international students hoping to study at the University of Plymouth can be determined based on a student's home country. The university has a detailed route to check entry requirements, split into Europe, The Americas, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia. Within each of these continents is individual guidance on what is expected of a student from specific countries.

International candidates (students with a non-EU nationality) applying for a degree course with Plymouth must also have an appropriate English language qualification. Acceptable qualifications include:

• AS or A-level in English Language awarded by Edexcel
• GCSE English language
• Canada High/Secondary School Diploma/Certificate
• Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education and Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination
• Malaysia SPM
• Zimbabwe GCE O Level and more

If applicants do not meet the English language requirements, they may be eligible to attend pre-sessional courses, organised by the university's English Language Centre. EU students will be informed of any English language requirements for their course as part of the admission process.

Plymouth has several scholarships on offer for international students. The following are important to note:

• Students must check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship.
• Most awards are for first year only. Further discounts may be received if the student maintains a high level of academic achievement.
• Students who are eligible for multiple scholarships, awards or discounts by the University of Plymouth will only qualify for the highest amount awarded. Where a student may qualify for the alumni discount and a scholarship then the highest award only will be applied.
• These scholarship schemes are for students commencing study in September 2025.

Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship Eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students can receive a first-year tuition fee discount of 50 percent. An application must be submitted for this scholarship.

International Postgraduate Merit Scholarship

Eligible students can receive a tuition fee discount of GBP 3,500. They must achieve the equivalent of a good UK 2:1 degree classification and meet the English language requirements. No application is needed.

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

Eligible students can receive a tuition fee discount of GBP 3,500. They must achieve one grade above their academic offer and meet the English language requirements. No application is needed.

International Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

This scholarship is to help students thrive and achieve their study goals in Plymouth. Any undergraduate or postgraduate student who meets our entry requirements will automatically receive this scholarship. No application is needed.

Charles Seale-Hayne Library

The Charles Seale-Hayne Library is open 24/7 and provides access to approximately 350,000 books and multimedia items, 14,000 current journal subscriptions, and a variety of different study environments.

Specialist Labs

Plymouth is home to ISO accredited labs, which are equipped with electron microscopes and wave tank testing facilities.

Accommodation

Students can choose from a great variety of halls of residence, all of which offer a safe and friendly environment. The accommodation buildings are close to the university's main campus, near to city centre amenities and situated in one of the South West's most vibrant coastal locations. Rooms vary between en suite and shared bathroom facilities, all with internet access. The Students Union Advice Team also offer a free tenancy check, where they check any rental agreements, highlighting any points that students may wish to clarify before signing or paying any money.

Sports

The UPSU Sports Centre provides a range of activities and sports services to students. Facilities include the 50-station gym, multi-purpose sports hall, dance studio, squash courts and a sports injury clinic. Sports available at the centre include badminton, football, netball, volleyball, basketball and table tennis.

The University of Plymouth is a modern, dynamic university with an educational history dating back to 1862. The institution is renowned for high-quality, internationally leading education, research and innovation. Plymouth was the highest performing city in the 2024 PwC Good Growth for Cities Index, scoring particularly highly across income distribution, work-life balance, jobs and skills. With a mission to advance knowledge and transform lives, Plymouth is a top 2 UK modern university (Times Higher Education, Young University Rankings 2024). The university has clusters of world-class research across a wide range of disciplines, including marine science and engineering, medicine, cybersecurity and psychology. The university is thrilled to offer enhanced scholarship offerings for students starting in September 2025. Ranging from a GBP 1,500 tuition fee discount to 50 percent off tuition fees in year one, there is something for everyone.

Award-winning

The University of Plymouth has garnered significant recognition for its commitment to sustainability, research, and student experience. Notably, it has consistently achieved high rankings in the People & Planet University League, including ranked as a 1st class university (or top 20 university) for sustainability, reflecting its dedication to environmental and ethical performance. The university's pioneering research in marine science and engineering has also earned numerous accolades, contributing to its reputation as a leading institution in these fields. Furthermore, Plymouth's focus on providing a supportive and enriching learning environment has been recognised through various awards and high student satisfaction scores, solidifying its position as a modern, forward-thinking university with a strong focus on real-world impact.