History
Founded in 1862 as a School of Navigation, and among the highest-ranked modern higher education institutions in the world, the University of Plymouth has a proud heritage. A three-time winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, and with a world-class research pedigree and a reputation for innovation in its approach to teaching and learning.
Education
The University of Plymouth is renowned for high quality, internationally-leading education, research and innovation. We make a positive difference to people’s lives. With a truly global outlook, we are an inclusive and inspiring university community. Our students are our partners on their journey of discovery.
Research
The Research Excellence Framework 2021 results confirmed our position as a dynamic research institution and one leading the charge for modern universities in the UK. The results reveal the international quality of our research right across the spectrum of health and medicine, business, arts and social sciences; transforming lives and underpinning the quality of our research-informed approach to teaching and learning.Overall, 78% of our submission was assessed as 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent) – an improvement on the score of around 63% in the corresponding 2014 REF.
Career
We want you to secure a fulfilling and successful future when you graduate. To help you get there, we offer a comprehensive range of resources backed up with individual advice and guidance through our Careers Service team. You will be given plenty of opportunity to build your employability skills and graduate attributes through your studies and modules. There are also a whole host of other opportunities provided by the University and the Student Union that you can engage in to gain experiences that employers value.All work experience is of value: part-time work, volunteering, placements, internships and mentoring are all excellent ways to develop skills. Find out what you are good at and enjoy, and make professional connections.
University Ranking
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
501 -100
2024
401
2023
401
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
661 -100
2024
561 90
2023
651
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
701 -100
2023
601 -100
2022
501
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
655 -97
2023
558
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
The Student Hub is the first point of contact for students for all non-academic queries. The team has dedicated advisers to help students get the most out of their time at university and is the central place for friendly and confidential advice and support covering the following specialist areas:
• Advice for international students
• Careers advice
• Counselling and mental health support
• Studying with a health condition, impairment or disability
• Financial support
• Learning support
• Pastoral and spiritual support
• Student conduct.
We also have a Student Immigration Advice team who provide free specialist immigration advice for international students studying at the University.
Housing services
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. If you are renting privately, Plymouth and the surrounding area offers a wide choice of affordable housing within easy commutable distance to the University campuses. Costs will vary depending upon size and condition of the property, inclusion or exclusion of bills, and location.
Library services
Library and digital support work right across the University. We support teaching, learning and research; providing services to students, academic and professional staff. Our focus is on enabling the transformation of information into knowledge, and we do that through providing access to information resources, developing and delivering services, managing learning spaces, and facilitating the development of information and digital literacy.
ICT services
The University has a dedicated IT services for staff and students. They can also assist with free software licensed for students to download and use on their own devices to support remote learning. The University provides the opportunity for students to use PCs on campus, with 200 in the library and 81 spread between various buildings. There is an online PC finder to show you the locations and availability of these. There is an IT Service Desk available for student IT help and support online where you can report problems and have questions answered regarding Wi-Fi, passwords, University apps and much more.Free wi-fi is available across all of the campus.
Medical services
You can search a range of healthcare in Plymouth including GP surgeries, dentistry and emergency care. The nearest hospital to the University is University Hospitals Plymouth, located at Derriford in the north of Plymouth, which also houses the area’s emergency department. The minor injuries unit at the Cumberland Centre in central Plymouth can provide care in relation to small burns, bites and stings, infected wounds and sprains certain fractures. Visit your nearest NHS centre to complete the appropriate forms, taking with you proof of identification to register, normally a passport or driving licence and a copy of a utility bill confirming your address.
Campus life
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% cheaper than London.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.
Sports facilities
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.Within walking distance from the campus is the Plymouth Life Centre. This is one of the country's leading sporting venues, offering a fantastic range of sports and activities. What an Olympic-sized swimming pool, waterslides, a diving pool, squash courts, a large fitness centre, a sports hall and an indoor climbing centre, there is something for everyone.
Student clubs
The University of Plymouth Students’ Union (UPSU) represents the needs of the students studying at the University of Plymouth, and supports student wellbeing throughout their academic journey.UPSU supports over 45 different sports clubs. These clubs offer you an opportunity to join a community where you’re guaranteed to have something in common, with a chance to play sport in a social and/or competitive environment. With our campus situated a short walk from Plymouth Sound on the beautiful south coast of Devon, you’ll have access to a wide range of water-based activities, allowing you to truly make the most of ‘Britain’s Ocean City’Our 120+ student-led societies are a major part of what we are about. From Chemistry to K-Pop, Minecraft to Midwifery – whatever your interests. If you have a particular passion or interest, or you want to try something new, there will be a community for you... but if there’s not, then you can always start your own!
Accreditation
- 3 Queen’s Anniversary Prizes
- Our most recent award was for leading work in microplastics.
- TEF gold across all three categories
- Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
- UK Top 5 for life below water and top 3 for zero hunger
- Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.
- Second carbon-neutral university in the UK
- Verified to PAS 2060 standard (2023).
- High rate of graduate employment
- Over 95% of our graduates are working or studying 15 months after graduating.
- 78% of research recognised as world-leading or internationally excellent.
