Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design will enable your process of thinking and making to develop within a vibrant and diverse creative environment.
Palace Studios includes two large specialist studios, comprising spaces over 160m2, designed to meet the needs of modern art, design and media students plus high windows for natural light.
There are two key steps you need to complete ahead of joining your course here at Arts University Plymouth. The first step is to activate your online account, and then the second step is to enrol online. Please follow the instructions below.
Your student reference number is in your enrolment email, if you haven't had your enrolment email please contact us:
Email admissions@aup.ac.uk, call +44 (0)1752 203434 or message us via WhatsApp +44 (0)7722 744184.
Click here for our 'Enrolment Frequently Asked Questions'.
First Step:
To activate your online account, you need to set up your username and password. Your login details are as follows:
- Open an incognito window or private window in your browser and then go to webmail.aup.ac.uk.
- Enter your username - First initial of your first name, first initial of your surname and your student reference number (see above).
- Enter your password - First initial of your first name, first initial of your surname, a full stop and your date of birth. (If you are a returning student with us, use your existing password.)
E.g. if your name is Alex Smith, your date of birth is 01/01/2001, and your student reference number is 12345678; your username would be AS12345678 and your password would be AS.01012001
Second Step:
- You will receive an email in your university email account with instructions on accessing and completing your online enrolment.
- Click the link in the email and complete your enrolment. You will need a profile photo for your student card and National Insurance number at the ready.
- Remember to click submit once you have completed all of the sections!
You must complete this process by Thursday 31st August.
If you have any problems with logging in to your account, please contact our IT Help Desk on +44 (0)1752 203 449 or email ithelpdesk@aup.ac.uk.
To get you ready for joining us in September, we recommend you check out all the information about starting with us below.
We want you to have the opportunity to kickstart your creative journey with us as soon as you possibly can, which is why we give you early access to our online resources and community. In mid-August, we'll invite you to enrol as a student so that you can do this and start to discover more about us. We'll send this as an email to the account you used when you made your application; so make sure it's up-to-date! If you need to update any information, then please email admissions@aup.ac.uk
Induction Week Timetable
Monday 4 September
9.30am -4.30pm: On Campus Induction Day
12:30-1:30pm: Break
Tuesday 5 September
9.30am -4.30pm: On Campus Studio Carousels
12:30-1:30pm: Break
Wednesday 6 September
9.30am -4.30pm: On Campus Studio Carousels
12:30-1:30pm: Break
Thursday 7 September
9.30am -4.30pm: On Campus Studio Carousels
12:30-1:30pm: Break
Friday 8 September
9.30am -4.30pm: On Campus Studio Carousels
12:30-1:30pm: Break
Please see your Welcome Letter below. You have already been sent this in the post, but a copy is added here in case you don't have your printed copy.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us by emailing hello@aup.ac.uk, calling 01752 203434 or messaging us on WhatsApp 07722 744184.
Standard timetable (From week beginning 18th September)
| Tuesday 9:30am - 4:00pm | Wednesday 9:30am - 4:00pm | Thursday 9:30am - 4:00pm |
The Students' Union is here to represent you and make sure your voice is heard during your time as an Arts University Plymouth student. They support student-led clubs and societies and run events throughout the year too.
Find out more about their support and services on their website, and keep up to date with the Students' Union on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Tik Tok.
Student Discounts
TOTUM brings you over 200 UK student discounts and comes with 1-year FREE ISIC, unlocking over 42,000 international discounts. Get your TOTUM card now. You can choose from a range of cards that last either one, two or three years. Simply select "Arts University Plymouth Students' Union" when you sign up!
Freshers
Freshers is here to give you a massive welcome to the city and the university. We want to make sure you have the best start to Arts University Plymouth and we want to help you all settle in.
We want to be as inclusive as possible so we're planning events to suit everybody, from tours of the city to events in the Students' Union, as well as events for LGBTQ+ students, mature students and more. Our events are open to all incoming and returning students, meaning you can meet a great mix of people you’ll regularly see in the hallways. (Please note that some events may be restricted to ages 18+.)
We plan to have everything from paid trips at local attractions, to admission-free events both on campus and around the city, to help you get to know your new home.
We also recommend checking out the AUP SU blog.
Getting to know your new home
Getting to know different aspects of your new place of study and the city is important. Check out our Discover Plymouth page to find out more about the best bits of our city.
Please note, due to the nature of some activities, there may be some 18+ only events.
Student Support have a broad reach regarding the level of guidance they can offer. Some of the areas include: Registering with a G.P, Wellbeing and Welfare, Mental Health Support, Ear Acupuncture and Mindfulness and Disability and Inclusivity.
We have spaces available for you to speak to councillors in private but also offer group sessions around wellbeing and mindfulness, we always encourage our students to reach out and access this support whenever needed, we are here to help.
Click here to find out more about the support services we offer for Pre-Degree.
Registering with a doctor
In terms of doctors – sign up and stock up! If you are moving away from home to come to Arts University Plymouth, you can register at most general practitioner surgeries in Plymouth by searching the NHS Choices website.
Contact the nearest surgery to your new home and register prior to arrival if possible.
Try to stock up on any of your regular medication before you leave home.
Have your usual remedies to hand, such as cold and flu relief.
More information for International students can be found here.
The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course. You'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. Find out more.
At Arts University Plymouth, we use a host of technologies to support your learning and creative development. While you are with us, you will have access to a collection of Google productivity, collaboration and sharing tools collectively known as “G Suite”, but commonly referred to as “Google Apps”.
Below you will find descriptions of commonly used apps in the Google Suite. We recommend viewing the videos and reading the guides prior to your arrival as you will be using some of the programmes in your first few days with us.
Google Classroom - Classroom is our online learning environment where you will be able to access your teaching material such as module briefs, course information and updates from your lecturers. It also has a built-in chat forum so that you can communicate with your peers and tutors. Download the Google Classrooms app on Google Play or the App Store.
Google Meet - Google Meet is used for video conferencing. You can have quick meetings on a 1 to 1 basis with your peers/tutors or attend a group video call, allowing for open discussions and debate.
Google Calendar - A fully integrated Calendar to keep track of your tutorials, lectures and 1 to 1 sessions. Get notifications and reminders of events - ensuring you don't miss a thing.
Gmail - Gmail is our email system. Access your emails anywhere on your computer or mobile device.
Google Drive - Google Drive is a cloud-based storage system that allows you to work, access and share your documents online... anywhere, anytime.
Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets - These are the basic programmes to support you with your studies and operate in a similar way to that of their Microsoft equivalent e.g. Word, Powerpoint and Excel.
If you need any further help and support with any of these apps then please contact our Learning Technologist, Adam Levi via email at alevi@aup.ac.uk.
Library
The Library is a treasure trove of information and resources, with over 25,000 items comprising physical and digital resources including books and journals (both print and online), DVDs, computer games, a digital video collection and subscriptions to over 130 renowned print publications, our team have you covered. We are on hand to offer you support and advice, online and in-person, at our help-desk on topics such as researching, finding books, referencing, digital literacy and academic practice.
Study Guides and Reading Lists - the Library study guides have all of the resources you will need to succeed on your course, as well as your reading lists, all in one place.
Journals - On this page you will find a list of all the journals that the library subscribes to, plus online access where available.
Academic Skills
Our friendly and experienced Academic Skills team delivers a range of advice, guidance and skills development to support you with your studies. They offer one to one or group support with things like time management and procrastination, essay writing, dissertations, creative writing, referencing, confidence and presentation skills. The team also offer help for students with Dyslexia and can work with other academic staff members to ensure you are fully supported and have confidence in your writing.
Careers & Employability
The Careers team are here to help you strengthen your employability skills and help you discover more about your chosen creative industry. The team can help you with CV's and cover letters, applications, industry experience, work placements and business advice.
MyAUP is our campus app, which pulls together all the data and information held across the separate systems at AUP and presents in one easy to use place.
It allows you to see a bespoke selection of news, information and updates, tailored specifically to your level of study.
MyAUP gives you the ability to manage your academic life by having access to all relevant information at any given time, from any location. The app is designed to reduce the number of emails you are sent and also allows efficient delivery of urgent updates, i.e. campus closures or weather warnings.
Download it for free for your mobile or tablet, from:
App Store (Apple version)
Google Play (Android version)
Or, if you don’t have a smartphone, you can visit the browser version of MyAUP on a computer.
Please note: you won't be able to access MyAUP until you have fully completed your enrolment and our IT teams have ensured that all new students are added to the correct user groups, so please don't worry if you can't access our campus app straight away. If you need any help with enrolment, please please email enquiries@aup.ac.uk
If you are a parent, guardian or carer of a pre-degree (post-16) student, click here for more information.
The Student Portal is home to all of Arts University Plymouth’s online resources for students.
The content is organised into easy to navigate sections, such as the Learning Lab, Library, Student Support and Registry. Each section has a description so you know where to go for the information you need.
Most students access the Student Portal using the Student Login button near the bottom right of the website. You cannot access the Student Portal until you have fully completed your enrolment. If you think that you have completed your enrolment, but you still can’t access the Student Portal, please email enquiries@aup.ac.uk
Have a question? Check out our FAQ's below.
If you can't find the answer you're looking for just click the 'Ask Us Anything' button.
Q: I can’t log in to my university gmail account?
A: It’s best if you use an incognito/private window on a laptop or desktop to log in to your university gmail account, especially if you have a personal gmail account. Go to your browser settings or tools (to the right of the address bar) and click on the new incognito/private window option. This will open a private browsing web page which you should be able to log in on. If you have any additional issues, please contact our IT Help Desk on +44 (0)1752 203 449 or email ithelpdesk@aup.ac.uk.
Q: I’ve logged into my university gmail account, now what?
A: Please check your university inbox for an email from AUP’s registry team. This will contain a link to complete your enrolment. You will need a profile photo for your student card and national insurance number at the ready.
Q: I’m experiencing issues enrolling onto my course. E.g. uploading my profile photo
A: Please contact mis@aup.ac.uk if you have any issues enrolling and they will be able to assist you.
Q: I need additional support to login to my university gmail account and/or enrolling.
A: Please contact studentsupport@aup.ac.uk if you’d like any 1-1 help completing the enrolment process.
Q: I’m having problems with my WIFI. What should I do?
A: You need to be enrolled to be able to access our systems on your first day, so you can keep trying on your WIFI. Or we recommend visiting your local library to access your university account and enrol. If you live locally in Plymouth, you can also drop into Arts University Plymouth and we will help in-person. The campus is open Monday - Friday from 8.30am - 6pm over the summer.
Find out about life at our independent arts university from the people who know us best — our real students. From finding the best cafes in Plymouth to course content and employability, our approachable student ambassadors are available to answer your questions on live chat.