Stay local, go far
Study in a beautiful coastal city
Find out what it’s like to study at Arts University Plymouth, the South West's University of the Year (WUSCAS 2024 & WUSCAS 2025).
<p dir="ltr">Join us at our next Open Day to explore our campus and speak with our academics, visit nearby affordable student accommodation and speak with our academics and course leaders. You’ll even have the chance to hop on a bus and have a tour of the city!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Choosing where to study is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. For students in Plymouth and the South West, there’s no need to look further afield. Arts University Plymouth offers world-class creative education, award-winning support, and all the opportunities you need to thrive, right here in Britain’s Ocean City.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Study close to home at a world-class UK arts university – explore more at our Open Day.<br /></p>
Our city centre campus is located close to student accommodation, a wide range of shops and businesses, and local transport routes such as Plymouth Train Station and Plymouth Bus Station.
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth is a <strong>top-scoring specialist arts university in the UK for student satisfaction</strong> in the National Student Survey for four consecutive years (2022–2025).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth are also ranked:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#2 in the UK for Teaching Excellence</strong> (<em>Daily Mail University Guide 2025</em>)</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Top 5 in the UK for creative facilities</strong> (<em>Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024 & 2025</em>)</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#4 in the UK for Student Support</strong> (<em>Daily Mail University Guide 2025</em>)</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">For students who already live locally, this means you don’t need to move far away from home to access one of the UK’s leading creative universities. For parents, it means peace of mind knowing your young person will be taught and supported to the very highest standard.<br /></p>
BA (Hons) Fine Art students celebrate at one of our Graduation ceremonies.
<p>Studying locally means saving on relocation and accommodation costs, while still experiencing the excitement of student life. For many students, it offers the best of both worlds: an outstanding creative education and the reassurance of staying close to home.</p>
Guests arriving at one of our Open Day events.
<p dir="ltr">Plymouth was voted <strong>Britain’s best city to live and work in</strong> by <em>The Telegraph</em> (2024), beating Bristol, London, Manchester and Birmingham. <em>Time Out</em> also named Plymouth one of the world’s most underrated travel destinations.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Plymouth consistently ranks among the UK’s <strong>safest cities</strong>, with one of the lowest crime rates of larger urban areas - <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cder62e65j7o#:~:text=Plymouth%20has%20been%20recognised%20for,received%20the%20Purple%20Flag%20accreditation." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purple Flag accreditation</a>. The city’s coastal location and friendly student community make it an ideal place to live and learn.</p>
<p dir="ltr">From the iconic Hoe and Tinside Lido to Dartmoor National Park, students can balance study with outdoor adventure. With over 20,000 students already here, Plymouth is a welcoming, affordable and exciting place to call home.<br /></p>
A student works in our hot glass studio, a purpose-built, spacious and light workshop dedicated to the teaching of hot glass processes.
<p dir="ltr">Our 13,000m² city-centre campus is packed with specialist studios and workshops, from <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/resources/fab-lab">Fab Lab South West</a> and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/resources/material-lab">glassblowing studios</a> to <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/resources/multimedia-lab-equipment-resource-centre">multimedia labs</a> and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/resources/textile-studios">textile workshops</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Students can explore traditional craft alongside emerging technologies, with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines — fashion with film, fine art with photography, animation with ceramics.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We’re proud to be recognised nationally for our student support. Services include free counselling, wellbeing resources, financial advice and academic skills coaching, ensuring that every student has the tools to succeed.<br /></p>
A dancer is silhouetted against the projections in Real Ideas' 360 Immersive Dome at Market Hall in Devonport, Plymouth. Image credit: Immersive Me
<p>Our campus sits in Plymouth’s vibrant cultural quarter, next to The Box museum and our own MIRROR gallery. Students benefit from partnerships with Theatre Royal Plymouth, Ocean Studios, Real Ideas, KARST and other cultural venues.</p>
<p>Giving opportunities to see, create and exhibit work in a professional environment as part of a thriving cultural ecosystem without leaving home.</p>
A student paints in our impressive, open-plan, triple-height studio.
<p>If you’re from Plymouth or the South West, choosing Arts University Plymouth means investing in your future without leaving behind the people, places and inspirations that matter most.</p>
<p>A city of culture, creativity and opportunity, as well as a safe, supportive and nationally recognised university.</p>
<p>Your creative future starts here.</p>
