A warm rusted copper bar is framed by plants and high metal stools in our Students' Union bar. Behind the bar on the wall are vintage posters.

Student Life

Accommodation

We have a vibrant, supportive and friendly student community at Arts University Plymouth, and we’re proud to be located in a city that plays host to a wealth of creative, inventive independent businesses and forward thinking cultural organisations.

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 community ready to welcome new creative ideas and share new experiences with.

Your time at university is so much more than learning new skills and laying the groundwork for your creative career; it’s a chance to meet new people, expand your horizons, and create unforgettable moments.

Creativity doesn’t just happen in the studio, workshop or darkroom. It’s a way of life.

Britain's Ocean City

Located at the heart of the South West, Plymouth is a city by the sea with so much to offer. From an amazing quality of life in a stunning waterfront location, with a buzzing city centre and a fascinating history, there is something for everyone in Britain’s Ocean City.

With the Dartmoor National Park as its backdrop, and nestled next to the waters of Plymouth Sound, Plymouth boasts a beautiful natural setting while playing host to award-winning entertainment, leisure and culture facilities such as The Box, Plymouth’s new £46 million museum, gallery and archive, Theatre Royal Plymouth, the largest regional producing theatre in the UK, and the Life Centre, the city’s largest leisure centre featuring Olympic standard swimming pools, a climbing wall and full gym facilities.

You can find out more about what Plymouth has to offer here.

“I chose to study at Arts University Plymouth as it was the first place I discovered that felt like it had a community that supports each other. The campus is one of my favourite aspects, the facilities the university provides and the Students’ Union were just some of the reasons that made me join Arts University Plymouth and want to make the most of my time here. Plymouth itself played a huge part in my decision. Coming from a small town, Plymouth felt like the perfect starter city, it’s not too large and scary, and it felt like the perfect place to become independent for the first time. Not to mention being so close to the sea has always made me so happy, so from the moment I arrived I knew it was the place for me.”

Nath Stark, BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing & Printmaking

Alex talks about her experience of first year life at Arts University Plymouth

"Plymouth has been my home for three years, and I have absolutely loved every moment of it. This city has an artsy side like no other, one you don't really notice until you're right in the thick of it. The landscape is beautiful, and the city is full of greenery, surrounded by wildlife protection and areas of outstanding beauty. Arts University Plymouth feels like home to me, it was my dream university, and every year I've spent here has been better than the last. I'm so excited to stay in Plymouth and at Arts University Plymouth as I continue my studies into my Masters!"

Frazier White, BA (Hons) Illustration

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From BA (Hons) and MA degrees, to post-16 Extended Diplomas — find your future in creative education.