Welcome to this comprehensive guide to the University of Plymouth. In this article, you are going to find out all you need to know about this renowned and prestigious institution and what it’s like to live one of the best student life experiences in the UK. Official information, the best student night out, placements, top courses and more can all be found here.

No matter if you are a freshman, on a scholarship or studying for your master’s, Plymouth University has something for everyone. From modern architecture and state-of-the-art research facilities to engineering, medicine, architecture, technology innovations and performing arts, all while tackling some of humanities biggest concerns head-on, you are sure to find your place in the rankings.

Overview of the University of Plymouth

With the mission of improving student lives, advancing knowledge and transforming lives, one that Plymouth University certainly lives up to, they have fostered a rich and inclusive culture that focuses on extensive research, scholarship and the global health challenges that face us all. Students at the University of Plymouth can be assured in the knowledge that their undergraduate health education is in great hands, offering undergraduates more than 330 programs to choose from.

Located in the very heart of the city centre, the university location is placed along the idyllic South Devon coastline, approximately 200 miles from London. The university is run on 4 core principles that strive for education and the highest quality outcomes in undergraduate education, undergraduate research and in everything that it does. Working together to deliver their shared dream, an education, while building and maintaining a strong reputation, the alumni of the University of Plymouth could not be prouder.

The university rankings, according to the qs world university rankings, lie between 651 and 700 in the world and between 101 and 150 in the qs world university ranking for subjects. Furthermore, they strive to reach the standard of the Social Enterprise Mark, ensuring that they operate under the central aim of positive social and environmental impact over personal profits. The University of Plymouth was the first university to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark.

History of Plymouth University

Originally, the University of Plymouth was established as the Plymouth School of Navigation in 1862, later becoming a university college in 1920. The university gained its official university status in 1992.

Exeter House played home to the Arts and Design Faculty from 1989 to 2007 and was purposely built in the 1970s for the reason of amalgamating the Exeter College of Arts and Design with Polytechnic South West to permanently relocate the facility to its present location. Completed developments include a library extension, Portland Square, a new and refurbished laboratory, as well as teaching, research and learning facilities, including a new hall of residence.

Marine and earth science and marine, earth and coastal engineering, including marine civil engineering, are all housed in the newly constructed Marine Building and are in some of the best rankings in the world. This completed the role of the university’s centralisation of its health and maritime activities, leaving the 2008 opened South Devon College to house the Peninsula Medical School and the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences.

What is the address of the University of Plymouth?

The official address and location data of the University of Plymouth is:

Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
UK

Map of the University of Plymouth

Below you will find a map and data of the surroundings of the University of Plymouth, a stone’s throw away from Cornwall:

How to get to the University of Plymouth

Situated along the scenic coastline of Devon in the United Kingdom, the university’s location is in the heart of the city centre, making travel to campus a breeze in its prime location. Being a world-renowned leader in sustainability education rankings, the university is committed to helping students and faculty protect planet earth, health, lives and the environment by using green modes of transport wherever possible. A car share scheme is a sign of this commitment.

Alternatively, students can access the campus in the following ways:

  • By Train – the railway station is a few minutes walk from campus, with services running regularly from London Paddington Station, including links from the city to the rest of England, Scotland and Wales.
  • By Coach – from most major cities, the coaches can be caught regularly, the campus is about a 10-minute walk from the station.
  • By Bus – busses can be taken between the centre of town, the suburbs and all major transport hubs.
  • By Ferry – Brittany Ferries offers car ferry services between Roscoff (France), Santander (Spain) and Devon.
  • By Bicycle – the city offers cyclists plenty of facilities to access the university.
  • By Air – Exeter, Bristol and Newquay regional airports connect to all rail and bus routes in the area. There are also transport links from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

What are the top courses at Plymouth University?

This university is a place where students can study and research what their heart desires. From faculties in marine science, business, psychology, medicine, engineering, technology and the arts, including the Jill Craigie Cinema, this university provides a rich centre for knowledge and employment opportunities.

Open days are encouraged as they allow students to get a fuller picture of the experience they are going to be immersing themselves in full-time. Education of the highest standard and rankings, encompassing the latest research technology, makes learning a holistic experience for undergraduate students and artists alike.

Some of the courses and other undergraduate courses taking centre stage are ranked among the top, and most popular undergraduate courses offered at the University of Plymouth, including:

  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Marine Science
  • Law
  • Business
  • Medicine

Fine and performing arts, art history and design, are also popular course choices among undergraduate and masters enrolments. Furthermore, some of the key developments in the university include a new maritime business school that combines complementary subjects, bringing together the maritime faculty of Science and Engineering, thus creating the largest marine science and engineering school in Europe.

Where is the Plymouth Students Union?

The student union at Plymouth University is a lively community and the pulse for most of the sports teams and societies at the university, offering a full-time host of student-related services. Furthermore, it offers students a whole range of events held throughout the year that rival any other universities in the UK. Abbreviated as “UPSU”, the student union’s location is on the main campus and is ranked as one of the largest student unions in the UK, with roughly 30,000 student members in the community.

What are the best Plymouth student nights?

Student nights are something to behold, of course, and with student nightlife being a priority, there are certainly enough clubs, pubs and bars offering students the ideal breakaway from the books. Cheap drinks, cocktail deals, pub quizzes and drag queens are just some of the experiences that make the after-hours a delight at this university. Not to mention the October half-term.

Student nights have something to offer everyone. Whether it’s partying the night away or just getting a pint, you will find what you are looking for and then some… 

A few of the most popular areas for student nightlife include the city, Greenbank, Mutley and Barbican, and visiting these areas is sure to make you feel like a local in no time.

  • Revolution
  • Jesters
  • Fever and Boutique
  • OMG
  • James Street Vaults
  • Switch and A I R

What are the best student pubs in Plymouth?

We all enjoy a well-deserved drink after a long day of research in the library or behind the books, and cheap drinks and 2-for-1 specials are, of course, always welcome. Fortunately, the student community cries have been heard, and the middle of town now has plenty to offer in the way of chilled pubs and bars where you can get the time-out that you so rightly deserve.

  • Roam Brewery
  • The Bank
  • PRYZM
  • Bar Rakunda
  • Bulletproof Brewing
  • The Nowhere Inn
  • The Skydiving Scholar

It’s always good discovering the local watering holes and these student-friendly pubs and bars you don’t want to miss. Remember to take your student ID with you so that you can take advantage of the student discounts available to you.

Where are the best places to eat for students in Plymouth?

Food, food and more food… Studying takes a lot of brain power, and replenishing your reserves is essential to keeping you functioning at your best. Although eating may be a second in the rankings, or even the third priority of your student experience, cooking for yourself is a time-consuming drag. Why not grab a bite in October that won’t break the bank?

From burgers, vegetarian options, soups, breads, Thai, waffles and vegan eating, there is absolutely something for everyone. And best of all, they are designed for undergraduate students, so it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg of lamb.

  • Veggie Perrin – for vegetarians and vegans, this popular restaurant offers a range of Indian dishes that will blow your mind.
  • The Snack Box – offers light lunches and light bites, including breakfast, salads, rolls, jacket potatoes and more.
  • No Whey – is for Mexican food lovers, offering tacos, nachos, salads and the best-grilled sarmies in the area.
  • Knead Pizza – no knead to say more…
  • Monty’s Café – breakfast, brunch and lunch options are plenty, including pancakes and a traditional sausage and mash.

What are the Halls of Residence for the University of Plymouth?

An important part of your first university and life experience is finding the right place to live, and that goes for all universities. Finding and choosing the right accommodation is as important as choosing what to study. The University of Plymouth has 17 halls on offer to students, each with its own unique features.

The halls of residence at the university offer students additional peace-of-mind benefits, such as 24-hour security, being located close to campus and providing support for an array of social events, that living anywhere else is just not that appealing.

What famous people went to Plymouth University?

Some of the most prominent, rich and well-known alumni from the university include actors, politicians, artists, celebrities, athletes and business people, and soon you could be one of them. The list of famous, rich and world-changing alumni include:

  • Rob Hopkins
  • Darren Jones
  • Monty Halls
  • Mark Frasier William
  • Michael Underwood
  • Claire Nasir
  • Baroness Judith Wilcox
  • Jonny Dodge

Hotels near The University of Plymouth

When you decide to visit and attend open days at the university, finding accommodation is not a hard thing to do. With hotels plentiful and in close proximity to the university campus, you can enjoy your time without the hassle of additional travel time and other arrangements.

Aside from the hotel option, there is a range of guest houses and holiday apartments that are both convenient and affordable. Here are just some of the accommodation options that you will find in the area:

  • Welcome Rest
  • Copthorne Hotel
  • Jury’s Inn
  • Armstrong House
  • City View Apartments
  • AirStay Premium Apartments
  • Welcome Rest Southerland Road

With the knowledge and a little research, you can find the ideal accommodation that will allow you to enjoy what the university and the city have to offer. October is a great time to visit.

Top Plymouth Students Discounts

  • Schuh
  • Boots
  • Topshop
  • Accessorize with Monsoon
  • Citybus
  • National Express
  • Bella Italia
  • Vue Cinema
  • Tenpin Bowling
  • Gladiators Speedway
  • Plymouth Raiders Basketball

`If you’re looking for some more discounts for students then check out the retailers below:

Popular Questions about the University of Plymouth

Now although a lot of information has already been discussed and covered, there are, of course, a few questions that may still need to be answered. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the location of the campus, courses, accommodation and more.

Why Should I choose to Study at the University of Plymouth?

Plymouth University is a world-renowned research institution that is ranked by the qs world university rankings that help to advance the lives, knowledge, health outcomes, and employment opportunities afforded to its students and alumni. Ranked in the top 10 universities in every subject in the UK, its subjects are of the highest quality and standard, with some of the most environmental and humanities-focused approaches to education in each of the nine subject disciplines that are taught there.

What is the Social Enterprise Mark?

The social enterprise mark ensures that business income and profits are used to maximize sustainability, employment and positive social, health, education and environmental impacts over personal profits. This also counts toward the qs world university rankings and placements.

What are some of the Global Challenges that the University deals with?

Plymouth University is a proud member of the Global Challenges Research Fund, supporting cutting-edge research that tackles the global challenges humanity is facing today.

Where does Plymouth University rank on the QS World University Rankings?

Over the past number of years the university has consistently ranked among 600 and 700 of the qs world university rankings, improving lives everyday.

Summary of the University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth is one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom with around 23,000 students that include more than 2,000 students from more than 100 countries. Modern, and geared for dynamic higher education and knowledge the university is a renowned research and innovation institution that caters to both full time and part-time educational practices.

More than that, the university is connected with Cornwall College, and forms part of Cornwall College Group, offering a wide range of research programs to undergraduates throughout Cornwall and other areas. 

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