Arts University Plymouth

Plymouth

Location: Seaside, City

Student life

Described by GQ as “the coolest little city by the sea”

Plymouth offers a balance of some of the UK’s most stunning natural spaces alongside the convenience of city life with a range of independent businesses, and a community ready to welcome new creative ideas and share new experiences with.

We work with recommended accommodation providers Host to provide a variety of housing options for our students. The properties are ideally located around the campus and surrounding area, so you’ll only ever have a short walk to get to university – great if you have an early start.

Our Students' Union (AUP:SU) aims to represent, campaign and provide services for you in every aspect of your university life, from academic and social, to welfare and personal support.

We also offer a variety of free in-house services during your studies through the Student Support team, including mentoring, student counselling, health services and referrals and wellbeing workshops.

What's it like to live in South West?
Check out our region guide

The South West of England is made up of seven counties, with key student cities including Bristol, Plymouth, Bournemouth, and Bath.

This largely rural corner of the world is a go-to for those seeking peace, tranquility, and mindfulness. That said, it also hosts Glastonbury – ideal if the festival is on your bucket list.

Cornwall, Dorset, and Devon are coastal favourites, with idyllic beaches and waves to test the bravest surfers.

Cider and cheese buffs will be more than content, with both produced locally. You can always walk it off in Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks – but watch out for the ‘Beast of Exmoor’, an elusive big cat spotted roaming the wild terrain since the 70s.

Learn more

What's it like to live in Plymouth?
Check out our city guide

Study by the sea in ‘Britain’s Ocean City’ – a port city with a zeal for exploration, and just an hour from holiday favourite Cornwall.

Learn more

Campus and facilities

OVER 165 YEARS OF CREATIVITY.

Arts University Plymouth was founded in 1856 as the first specialist school of art and design in the city.

Our 13,000 square metres of studios and workshops across four buildings are filled with professional workspaces and state-of-the-art facilities. Our city-centre campus is a creative hub of collaboration and innovation, thinking and making. A close-knit community where artists, designers and makers combine, it’s a place to explore and experiment with processes and materials, both contemporary and traditional.

Workshops within our LABS are open to students across specialisms. Fashion designers collaborate with filmmakers, fine artists with photographers, and animators with ceramicists. The opportunities for cooperation and exchange are endless and open for discovery.

The university actively encourages you to use areas and communal space to curate and exhibit work collaboratively or individually and in various 2D, 3D, 4D and digital formats.

Course locations