Mary Trapp 3

Welcome

We're looking forward to welcoming you to join our vibrant, supportive and friendly student community at Arts University Plymouth.

“A university with art at its heart and problem-solving in its veins. Every person who works in the university has an experience, understanding and, or love for the creative arts. The resources and technicians are second to none and being a smaller university experience allows for a great atmosphere and all access for all students, regardless of discipline or capacity.”
Caroline Pedler, MA Illustration Subject Tutor

Getting ready for September

To get you ready for joining us in September, we recommend you browse through all the information below.

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.

If you have not used the Microsoft Authenticator App before, you may need to follow these more detailed instructions - click to view the PDF.

Your student reference number is in your enrolment email, if you haven't had your enrolment email please contact us by emailing admissions@aup.ac.uk, calling +44 (0)1752 203434, or messaging us via WhatsApp +44 (0)7722 744184.

  1. Open a private/incognito browser window.
  2. Go to webmail.aup.ac.uk.
  3. Enter your username: First initial of your first name, first initial of your surname, followed by your student reference number and then @aup.ac.uk.
    • Example: If your name is Alex Smith and your ref number is 12345678, your username is AS12345678@aup.ac.uk
  4. Enter your password: Same two initials, a full stop, and your date of birth (DDMMYYYY).
    • Example: AS.01012001
  5. Authentication - Once approved you will next be asked to set up your 2-factor authentication – you will need to have installed the Microsoft Authenticator on your mobile device.

Please note: If you have studied with us before, use your existing password

Once your account is active, you’ll get an email in your university email account with instructions to complete your online enrolment.

You’ll need:

  • A profile photo (for your student ID card)
  • Your National Insurance number

Click the link in the email, complete the sections, and don’t forget to hit submit at the end.

When you login in your account you will need to use the same user name as step 3 above but OMIT the @aup.ac.uk I.e. AS12345678

Deadline to enrol: Thursday 24 September

  • Haven’t received your enrolment email?
    Email: admissions@aup.ac.uk
    Call: +44 (0)1752 203434
    WhatsApp: +44 (0)7722 744184

  • Trouble logging in?
    Contact our IT Help Desk:
    Call: +44 (0)1752 203449
    Email: ithelpdesk@aup.ac.uk

The new term commences with Freshers’ events starting on Monday 14 September, which you are welcome to join if you would like to meet other students or become more familiar with our campus, followed by your Welcome Week starting with Postgraduate Registration on Monday 28 September.

On arrival you will be given your ID card and lanyard, which allows you access to the campus, to take out books from the library, pay for printing and so on. You will need to show a form of ID in order for your card to be issued (a utility bill, bank statement, driving license, or passport).

You should have enrolled online before you arrive at university. Instructions will have been sent to you by email. The deadline for enrolling online is 24 September.

The following information shows what you will be doing during your Welcome Week, starting on Monday 28 September 2026.

TimeActivityLocation
Mon 28 Sept9am - 10amYou will be greeted by members of staff and given your ID card. You will then be taken to the cinema where you will meet staff who teach on your course.Meet at 9am in main Reception of Arts University Plymouth
10am - 11amWelcome Talk
An introduction to your course in the Cinema with Stephanie Owens, Jason Hirons and Becky Dodman Wainwright.
Plymouth Arts Cinema (room T0.34) main campus of Arts University Plymouth
11am - 12pmCampus TourMeet in main Reception of Arts University Plymouth
12pm - 12:30pmIT inductionPlymouth Arts Cinema (room T0.34) main campus of Arts University Plymouth
12:30pm - 1pmTBCTBC
1pm - 2pmLunch break
2pm - 4.30pmSummer Task 1 & 2: Discussions on the "Brilliance" article, the Tim Ingold Article and setting your intention for the MA.Library (main campus of Arts University Plymouth, Tavistock Place) and Postgrad Centre (44 Regent Street)
Tues 29 SeptNo scheduled events for Postgraduate students
Weds 30 Sept10am - 11amLibrary and Academic Skills - Full Time studentsLibrary
11am - 12pmLibrary and Academic Skills - Part Time studentsLibrary
12pm - 1pmDigital Education - Google Academy & Postgraduate Programme introductionPlymouth Arts Cinema (room T0.34) main campus of Arts University Plymouth
1pm - 2pmLunch Meet & Greet - Subject TutorsPostgraduate Centre
2pm - 3pmWorkshop demonstrations and Technical Resource Manager talkPostgraduate Centre
Thurs 1 OctNo scheduled events for Postgraduate students
Fri 2 OctNo scheduled events for Postgraduate students

COMING SOON

We have created two small preparatory tasks for you to complete to introduce and explore some of the key themes that you will encounter on your MA programme. These tasks will be discussed and shared as part of the induction sessions on the Monday of Welcome Week (28 September 2026).

These activities are intended to prepare you to think about your creative practice as a postgraduate research project. See it as a warm up that will allow you to hit the ground running when you start the course. It will also give you a taster in how seminars are run and your research shared amongst your peers.

Click the link below to download a PDF or click here to see the google doc version.

We offer studio spaces across the Postgraduate Centre and in our Craft, Photography, Illustration, and Graphic Design studios. If you’d like a space to explore and develop your practice, please complete the studio request form.

See below for information on essential services, dates and all the details you need to know before you arrive in September.

A time-limited MenB vaccine offer is available now for eligible young people, including those who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.

The MenB vaccine programme is available across all four nations of the UK. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please check the official guidance from Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales or the Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland) for advice on how to access the vaccine in your area.

How to get the vaccine

The information below applies to England. If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please refer to guidance from your local public health authority.

How you’ll get your MenB vaccine depends on which eligible group you are in.

  • If you are 17 or 18 years old and were born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, you can book online now. First dose appointments begin from 20 July 2026. You must be registered with a GP surgery in England.
  • If you are under 25, born on or after 21 July 2001 and for the first time this autumn you are starting university or starting at some further education colleges as a residential student, you can get a MenB vaccine at a participating pharmacy from 20 July. This includes international students, students from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and those travelling abroad to study. You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery to use this service.

Find out more about the tools and academic resources you can access as an Postgraduate student at our Tavistock Place campus.

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 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

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:

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

Please see your Welcome Letter below as a PDF or linked here as a google doc.

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.

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.

Our Terms & Conditions for Higher Education students – which set out the basis of the agreement between us when you accept a place with us – can be viewed here as a google doc, or downloaded below as a PDF. These make reference to our Academic Regulations and our Code of Conduct for students.

If you require copies of any of the documentation referenced within the Regulations please contact the Registry team on registry@aup.ac.uk.