Winner of Best Small or Specialist University at the 2022 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.
Voted as the top Arts University in the UK in the National Student Survey (NSS 2022). Overall student satisfaction is 81% at Arts University Plymouth, significantly above the national average of 76%.
Founded in 1856, the institution has been granted full university status and formally recognised with the new title of Arts University Plymouth following approval by the Privy Council, becoming the city of Plymouth’s specialist arts university. Arts University Plymouth is a specialist arts university offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in art and design, and media.
Students benefit from industry standard workshops and studios, as well as state-of-the-art equipment for students studying painting, drawing & printmaking, photography, craft & material practices, graphic communication, animation & games, fashion design and more.
The university is proud of its commitment to both traditional and digital art courses, with an £8 million specialist art, craft and digital design centre providing students with cutting-edge ceramics, glass and digital design workshops. The facility also offers further specialist equipment in Fab Lab Plymouth, including 3D printing and laser cutting.
Reviews:
“The campus has a great modern feel and environment.”
“The university has a really great atmosphere and is very modern. From the people I have met so far everyone is super friendly and willing to help you with anything you may need. The university has brilliant facilities and run several workshops which you can try out even if it’s not related to your course!”
“Honestly some of the best years of my life. Fantastic lectures, incredible support.”
The university aims to support students who want to work in the creative industries. To do this they provide careers advice to students for up to three years after graduation, as well as offering work placements and internship opportunities while students are still learning at AUP.
The university also offers workshops and guest lectures to help students learn from those who have succeeded in the creative industries, giving them an understanding of the journeys that similar people have taken before them. Meanwhile the job wall posts a range of paid jobs and commissions that students can undertake while at the university.
The university also enjoys a good relationship with the art world, with a thriving programme of visiting artists, exhibitions and partnership activities that help bridge the gap between study and work.
Reviews:
“After only one term of my course I do feel as though it will fully equip me for a future career, as I am already picking up knowledge about the industry and what is expected of me in my field.“
“The connections the college has to the rest of the arts industries are immense, and provide one with a sense of security that when you'll eventually leave post graduation, you'll be able to settle into a career thanks to your hard work and the college's support.”
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSStudents wishing to study at Arts University Plymouth must have at least five GCSEs (Grade 4 or above, including English) to apply. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of their work relevant to their chosen field of study, and have a minimum of 112 UCAS points.
These points can be achieved through A-levels, an art & design Foundation Diploma, BTEC Extended Diploma (grade MMM), Access to HE in art & design, Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate, the International Baccalaureate, or equivalent qualifications from an international institution.
Students that meet the criteria in their application will be invited to an interview, taking place either before or after an offer of a place is made. These interviews normally happen in-person but the option for online or telephone interviews is available for students who can’t attend.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONArts University Plymouth works with its recommended accommodation provider, Host, to provide five halls of residence:
All of these are located in Plymouth city centre, with The Old Dairy being located right next door to the university and the others being no more than a 15-minute walk away.
Plymouth’s historic waterfront is also within walking distance of the main campus, where students will find bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, and Tinside Lido, a lovingly restored art deco outdoor swimming pool.
All halls are modern and spacious, with a number of room options available including:
There are common rooms for residents at all sites, plus onsite laundry rooms and bike storage.
Rents range from £95 to £117 per week and include bills, insurance, and WiFi. For peace of mind, there are staff onsite 24/7. In addition, accommodation provider Host offers students a variety of guarantees, including rent payment plan options and a No Place No Pay scheme that ensures students don’t need to pay if they are not offered a place.
For students who chose not to live in Host halls, Plymouth has a wide variety of student houses and flats available to rent both in and out of the city centre.
Reviews:
“I really like Frobisher house, I feel very safe. I like my room and my flatmates. The people that work here are lovely and very understanding.”
Available for use by all students, FabLab Plymouth offers the latest in digital design technology including a 3D scanner, 3D printer, CNC milling machine, laser cutter and more.
The university also has invested £8 million in its Craft, Design and Fabrication Workshops. These include jewellery studios, printed textile design workshops, glass-blowing houses, ceramics spaces and FabLab Plymouth.
The Equipment Resource Centre (ERC) is a library of equipment with a growing collection of over 6,500 items, available to loan to students. These include digital kits and classic analogue devices.
The Print Lab is a professional printing service open to all staff and students that houses three wide-format 44" inkjet Epson printers. Arts University Plymouth’s library houses over 20,000 specialist books.
Workshop Wednesdays offer students the opportunity to choose from an engaging, ever-changing selection of free workshops run by excellent technical staff. Workshops cover everything from learning new processes, CV writing and job searches to glass bead making, Adobe InDesign training and website design. These workshops are open to students online and on-campus.
Reviews:
“The uni itself has so many great facilities, available to all students (once inducted in them), even if you aren't studying that particular course.“
“The uni is abundant in facilities to satisfy my creative needs. I feel very supported by the uni in terms of both my personal wellbeing and my creative aspirations.”
Find out more about the accommodations and facilities in person at the uni.
BOOK OPEN DAYWhat's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 551 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWMT Min That Reviewed 19 Oct 23 MSc International Business Great Keep on moving and always listen to students voice... READ FULL REVIEW
K Katie/Tree Reviewed 18 Oct 23 Costume Production BA (Hons) AUP is great for support of all communities - whether it be disabled, lgbtq+, neurodivergent, etc. Not to mention they actively encourage students to learn about areas beyond their chosen subject with workshops and availability to book other equipment and... READ FULL REVIEW
Every student’s academic success and mental well-being is a priority at Arts University Plymouth and it prides itself on its excellent counselling services. Students are offered immediate appointments and there is no limit on the number of sessions a student can book. The self-referral and autonomous booking system make seeing a counsellor easy with a number of slots available to fit around busy schedules.
Arts University Plymouth students have access to a range of online services through Student Support, the Student Counselling site and the Wellbeing site, that together cover everything from bereavement to LGBTQ+ support. These services make booking an appointment with a counsellor or learning how to improve mental health and wellbeing or seek targeted support for a specific problem easy.
The students’ union and student’s hub also provide supportive environments. Student Support is located in the main Tavistock Place campus and is open weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm during term time, and from 8:30am to 4:30pm at all other times. No appointment is necessary.
Reviews:
“A lot of great support from faculty members both in and out of uni hours. Students’ opinions are heavily prioritised.”
“I don’t think there is another university out there where you can feel so supported with your study. I have always felt I am able to talk to my tutors when needed and always have access to support through the student union and pastoral team.”
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEArts University Plymouth offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and pre-degree studies across art, design and digital media. The university offers students 160 years of history and up-to-date thinking with cutting-edge facilities. Its two city centre campuses are also home to Fab Lab Plymouth and Mirror at Arts University Plymouth, a public-facing gallery that has shown work by Martin Parr, Rose Wiley and Matt Stokes, as well as hosting the British Art Show 9 in 2022.
FabLab Plymouth is unique within a network of 50 in the UK and over 1,000 FabLabs worldwide, because it is centred in a broader industrial context of design and manufacturing facilities including a large jewellery workshop, extensive textile print studios and a glasshouse – the perfect setting for the fusion of traditional art practices with cutting-edge digital technologies.
Arts University Plymouth is associated with many of the UK’s top creative groups:
In 2009 the university founded Making Futures, a biennial international research conference exploring contemporary craft and maker movements as ‘change agents’ in 21st-century society.
The SU looks after student interests and provides services, including events and networking opportunities. They also manage the university’s clubs and societies. All student union officers work voluntarily, with the exception of the SU president who works full-time. The team is elected once a year by the university’s students.
The university’s 2022 award win as Best Small or Specialist University (Whatuni? Student Choice Awards 2022) was driven by student reviews, and highlighted the quality of the SU as part of the overall student experience. Notable campaigns by the SU include the establishment of a food bank and the Period Poverty Project, which saw period products placed in all toilets across the university.
The university’s inviting social space is the perfect place to unwind. By day it offers students the chance to socialise, have a coffee or snack or carry out some work outside of studio hours, while by night the student bar is run by the students’ union and regularly hosts events and student nights.
The space can be booked by students to host private fundraising events, meet-ups and host societies. It also acts as a space in which students can display their work, showcasing everything from ceramics to showreels.
Reviews:
“The student union is run effectively with loads of great events throughout the year, and always maintained to be in a great condition and fantastic student environment.”
“I really like how easy it is to get involved with events. The SU advertise things happening on their Instagram and via emails and it's always straight forward to get involved.”
AUP: SU operates a variety of clubs and societies where students can make new friends and get involved in student life. Clubs include everything from paddle boarding, surfing and rock climbing to cinema and design, and are open to everyone to join.
Clubs are all led by students, but are supported by the SU through advertising and occasional funding to ensure they achieve maximum success. Because the clubs are run by students, this does mean they can change or sometimes end every year. Students are advised to check the university’s SU website for the latest list of clubs and societies.
Students are welcome to establish new clubs and societies if they feel there is a gap; they just need to email the SU with more information.
The SU also organises student events and trips. It is run by members of the student body who are elected every year.
More than 40,000 students call Plymouth home, and it’s not hard to see why.
For students who like to get out into nature there’s a wealth beautiful countryside and coastlines to explore, including the breathtaking landscapes of Dartmoor.
Plymouth offers a variety of new arts and enterprise centres, including the recently reopened £40 million redesign of The Box which houses the museum and city archives. It houses an impressive seven permanent galleries and showcases collections from the South West Film and Television Archive.
For shopping, there is a large shopping centre with big name brands as well as plenty of independent boutiques.
At night students can enjoy in one of Plymouth’s many pubs, bars and clubs. The city has a well-established live music scene, with many intimate gigs and large concerts happening across the city each week.
Reviews:
“Great campus, central location.”
“Very vibrant city. Great location and scenery.”
“Great location, not too expensive, not too fast paced. Good nightlife and it's by the ocean.”
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
BOOK OPEN DAYThe university aims to support students who want to work in the creative industries. To do this they provide careers advice to students for up to three years after graduation, as well as offering work placements and internship opportunities while students are still learning at AUP.
The university also offers workshops and guest lectures to help students learn from those who have succeeded in the creative industries, giving them an understanding of the journeys that similar people have taken before them. Meanwhile the job wall posts a range of paid jobs and commissions that students can undertake while at the university.
The university also enjoys a good relationship with the art world, with a thriving programme of visiting artists, exhibitions and partnership activities that help bridge the gap between study and work.
Reviews:
“After only one term of my course I do feel as though it will fully equip me for a future career, as I am already picking up knowledge about the industry and what is expected of me in my field.“
“The connections the college has to the rest of the arts industries are immense, and provide one with a sense of security that when you'll eventually leave post graduation, you'll be able to settle into a career thanks to your hard work and the college's support.”
The BA Final Year Bursary is open to all new eligible domestic (UK) undergraduate students enrolled for the 2022/23 academic year. For more information and eligibility requirements, students should visit the university website.
Arts University Plymouth also has a selection of awards and discounts open to students who have previously studied there. These include:
Arts University Plymouth strives to attract the best and most talented creatives. That’s why all of its pre-degree level courses have excellent transfer rates to the university’s undergraduate degrees.
The current tuition fees for UK undergraduate students that wish to study full-time are £9,250 per year, with students wishing to study part-time paying half that amount. International undergraduate students, including those from the EU, pay £15,500 per year. Fees are subject to change, so applicants should always check the university’s website for the latest information on fees.
Student loans are available to eligible students to cover the cost of tuition fees, while maintenance loans are also available for everyday costs as part of student life. These loans are only repayable once students are employed on a salary exceeding a minimum threshold.
UK students can find out more about loans and the eligibility criteria from the Student Finance company in their country.
Students who opt for a distance learning course are not eligible for maintenance loans, but may be eligible for tuition fee loans.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTION
As well as a wide range of courses, studying at Arts University Plymouth offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at Arts University Plymouth.
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.
