Plymouth University

History

• One of the UK's largest universities, with history dating back to 1862. Later became a polytechnic and received university status in 1992.
• Plymouth is a partner in the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry and the Combined Universities in Cornwall.
• Awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2012 in respect of its marine and maritime work.

Location and transport

• Campus just a short stroll from the buzzing city centre, with shops, restaurants and nightlife, the scenic seafront and historic Barbican. Rugged Dartmoor and some of the best beaches in the UK are within easy travelling distance.
• Rail station is just a five-minute walk from the campus, with services to London, South Wales, the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland.
• There are regular coach services from most major cities to Plymouth, which is easily reached from the M5 motorway and the A38 Expressway via Exeter. It is about a three-and-a-half-hour journey from London to Plymouth.
• Plymouth City Airport offers a wide range of low-cost flights to destinations in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Channel Islands.
• Plymouth University Colleges Faculty is a network of colleges throughout the South West, providing degree opportunities for people in locations close to home.

Entry standards

• Entry requirements are listed on the Plymouth University online course pages and in the University prospectus.

Student mix

• Based on the 20010-11 academic year, male 42.89%, female 57.2%.
• Undergraduate 85.6%, postgraduate 14.4%.

Course flexibility

• Modular courses - single honours or combined.
• Most courses offer an element of work-based experiential learning.
• Some two-year fast-track degrees available.

Teaching standards

• Nationally acclaimed for teaching excellence.
• Only South West university chosen to pilot new two-year degrees.
• Fifteen subject areas ranked excellent or equivalent in independent assessments by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Research standards

• Widely acknowledged as having one of the best research performances amongst the modern universities.
• Plymouth has a national and international research profile. In the Research Assessment Exercise 2008, 80% of the research was judged as being of international repute, and 18 of the 25 areas submitted were judged to have world-leading research.
• The university submitted nearly 400 staff to RAE 2008 – a 70% increase on the RAE 2001 submission. Research Fortnight named the university as one of the top 50 research institutions and 'most improved' since the last RAE.

Academic strengths

• Wide variety including Marine and Environmental Sciences,  Robotics and Computer Science, Education, Psychology, Engineering, Architecture, Social Work, Hospitality and Tourism,Sustainability, and Business.
• Strong focus on enterprise and employability, preparing students for entrepreneurial leadership and to be effective employees capable of making a valuable contribution in their chosen field.

Student facilities, including Library and Computing

• Recent multi-million pound investment in new buildings and refurbished laboratories and library. Library now provides access to 500,000 books and multimedia resources, 22,000 journals and many international resources.
• New employability centre opened at the heart of the campus.
• Comprehensive IT network with 24-hour wireless access.
• Cutting-edge 'immersive vision theatre' – the first at a UK university – gives students the opportunity to experience fieldwork conditions in advance using innovative technology.
• Received a Green Gown Award in 2011 for continuous institutional improvement in sustainability issues.

Disability service

• Visit the website for information about the disability services at Plymouth or email the Disability Assist Services at das@plymouth.ac.uk.

Students' Union

• Award-winning Students’ Union, including Best Bar None: Gold; Health at Work Award: Platinu.
• £3-million Students' Union building and eco garden opened in 2007.
• Over 100 clubs and societies, ranging from Ultimate Frisbee to the DJ Society.
• Plenty of opportunities for involvement in interesting and exciting voluntary projects, including the new Plymouth Award.

Sport

• Sports centre with four-court sports hall and state-of-the-art fitness suite.
• Unique Diving & Marine Centre.
• Watersports centre offering students the use of dinghies, yachts, power boats, canoes and other vessels.
• Five grass pitches available for student use, plus use of astro turf pitches.
• A city partner in the Plymuth Life Centre, set to open in 2012.

Recent/prospective new builds

• New £18-million marine facility planned for opening in 2012, set to contain the country's most advanced wave generation tanks and business incubation facilities.
• New performing arts center and theatre at the planning stage.

Availability of part-time work

• Both Careers Service and Students' Union provide help in securing part-time paid and voluntary work.
• Plymouth Award launched, which recognises student achievement outside the curriculum.
• An online vacancy service is available as well as face-to-face support.
• 12,000 students per year benefit from placements and work-based learning through Skills Plus policy.

Notable alumni

• Monty Halls – TV presenter and explorer.
• Clare Nasir – ITV weather girl.
• Pamela St Clement – actress.