University of Plymouth

About us

We are a world-class, modern university*. Vibrant and friendly, with a strong reputation for innovation. Times Higher Education described us as one of the newly-emerging ‘modern global elite’.

We are one of the largest universities in the country with around 27,000 students studying a variety of courses from farming to photography, business to biology, and design to dentistry.

Our roots go back more than 150 years to the School of Navigation, but it is our modernity that gives us energy and direction. It gives us the freedom to define our strategic priorities and our values. It gives us the freedom to define the world that we will help build. We look forward.

We are one of the top 350 universities in the world*, and are 59th of those aged under 50**. We are committed to providing a first-class, first-choice student experience, enhancing employability and developing scholarship and citizenship. A twice-winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, most recently in 2012, we’ve been recognised for our innovative teaching, our impact-driven approach to research, and the way we work with partners to create social and economic benefits for our communities.

Our degrees are much more than just a passport to a career. They enrich and develop students with skills and lessons for life so that our graduates not only have an enviable employment record but also add real value to the economy and society at large, whether learning takes place in the classroom, laboratory, studio or through fieldwork, the workplace or community.

More than 12,000 of our students every year benefit from placements and work-based learning, and 89 per cent of our graduates are in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating. Our Graduate School was named as the second best in the world, and first in the UK, while the opportunities to teach among its postgraduate community were ranked the best globally.

Our mission: Advancing knowledge and transforming lives through education and research

Our enterprising approach will further develop our reputation as a world-leading university. Our enterprise culture will deliver sustained innovation and international impact.

We will use the knowledge we create to transform lives. We will achieve this through world-class research, excellence in teaching and learning, and through our partnerships and collaborations.

We will maintain our commitment to driving social inclusion, economic prosperity, and environmental quality in our local community and beyond.

To get a real feel for the city and student life here watch our video below provided by Unite Students.