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TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > University of Plymouth

Introduction

Plymouth University is the largest university in the southwest of England with over 30,000 students and almost 3,000 staff.

Plymouth University was formed of the former Polytechnic South West colleges in 1992. In addition to the main Plymouth Campus there are smaller partner colleges all over the South-West of England and also on the Channel Islands, allowing students to study nearer to home. The Peninsula Medical School is also jointly run by Plymouth and Exeter Universities.

Plymouth is a modern university that has undergone a great deal of development in recent years, including four new buildings and the refurbishment of 10 buildings since 2008. Further development is planned.

On the basis of the results of the 2008 RAE Plymouth has leapt 15 places to join the top 50 universities, showing the greatest improvement in the UK in research performance since the last RAE, in 2001. The university is currently ranked 60 in the Times Higher Education '100 under 50' list, and 318 in the world.

Faculties and courses

Plymouth University has revised its academic structure to fully reflect its enterprise vision. Key developments include: the creation of a new Business School; bringing together complementary subjects in a new combined faculty of Science and Technology and creating the largest Marine Science and Engineering School in Europe. This new structure is reflected on the University website. Please check for updated information at www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools.

The University of Plymouth has a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes which are currently taught at its main city campus in Plymouth. The Planetary Collegium, the international centre for research in art, technology and consciousness is based at Plymouth, with nodes in Milan and Zurich. The Royal Statistical Society selected Plymouth University to home its Centre for Statistical Education.

Faculty of Arts

This faculty is host to the School of Architecture, Design and Environment, School of Art & Media and the School of Humanities and Performing Arts. The faculty offers degrees in Architecture, English, History, Art History, 3D Design, Music, Photography, Media Arts, Theatre & Performance and Dance Theatre. Advanced research in new media art is provided by the Planetary Collegium.

Faculty of Health, Education and Society

This faculty is home to the School of Applied Psychosocial Studies, the School of Health Professions, the School of Nursing and MidwiferySchool of Early Years and Primary Education Studies, the School of Partnership, Enterprise and Professional Studies and the School of Secondary and Further Education Studies. The faculty offers courses in Adult Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Dietetics, Paramedicine and Health and Social Care Studies, as well as PGCE and primary education courses.

Faculty of Science and Technology

Home to the School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, the School of Computing and Mathematics, the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies, the School of Marine Sciences and Engineering, and the School of Psychology.

The University of Plymouth is particularly renowned for its courses in maritime business, marine engineering, marine biology and earth, ocean & environmental sciences.

The University provides professional diving qualifications on a number of courses, the only university in the country provide this. This is provided by the University's own diving centre based next to Queen Anne's Battery Marina, with its full time team of instructors and dedicated boats and equipment.

Plymouth Business School

The faculty is home to the Plymouth Law School, the School of Management and the School of Tourism and Hospitality. Courses on offer include in the areas of: Accounting Banking and Finance, Business, Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, Economics, Hospitality, International Relations, Law, Management and Leadership, Marketing, Politics, Public Services, Shipping and Logistics, Sports and Leisure Management, Tourism.

The University of Plymouth has strong links with the cruising industry; the Plymouth Business School, offers courses in the Maritime and Cruising sector. The school offers BSc (Hons) in Cruise Management, where students can opt to take a year out to work with P&O or Princess Cruises for a period of two or four month periods. The University is also globally renowned for its courses in international shipping and logistics.

Facilities

Libraries

Plymouth University's Seale-Hayne Library houses over half a million books, however the library is more than a facility for storing books: study areas and bookable rooms are available for groupwork, there are many computer terminals, wireless internet access is available for portable devices, and a cafe provides sustenance on the top floor.

Computing Services

The University has about 5000 networked computers across the campus. These are in open access areas, teaching rooms and in the library. The university has a mobile website which will indicate where available computers can be found. The campus also has wireless internet students can connect to with their own laptops.

In addition to the open access desktop computers, there is IT support available from staff members in many locations. There are also plenty of printing facilities, and printing from laptops is available.

Sports

The Nancy Astor sports centre houses 50 fitness stations, catering for both cardiovascular and weight training, a sports hall and facilities for basketball, squash, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, netball and five a-side-football.

The Mount Batten Watersports Centre is a partnership between the University and the local council. Students can use the facilities there alone or go through one of the student union societies, for example the Powerboat club, the Yachting club, the Canoe club, the Wakeboarding club or the Sub Aqua Club.

Welfare

Healthcare

The university has it's own medical centre on campus, which all students are advised to join. The centre is open between 8.30 and 5.30, 5 days a week during term time.

As well as GPs the centre offers sexual health screening, travel information, minor operations and counseling. University nurses work on site and are able to offer advice, support and information about any health concerns students might have.

A confidential counselling service is available to all students. When required, personal counsellors seek to help students focus clearly on their problems and to work towards an outcome which the individual student feels to be appropriate: be it personal difficulties, family issues or exam stress.

Student Services

Student Funding Unit

The friendly staff in the Student Funding Unit are familiar with all financial issues facing students and can provide specialist financial advice. This includes:

• Where and how to apply for support with tuition fees and living costs
• Additional funding students may be entitled to if they have dependents or are have a disability.
• Discretionary support available from the Access to Learning (Hardship) Fund.
• Benefits and tax credit advice
• Existing debts

Media workshops

As well as the collection of audio-visual materials in the libraries, Plymouth offer a wide range of facilities designed to help you present your work in the most appropriate format. They include:

• Binding
• Colour copying and printing
• Video Editing
• Equipment loan (camcorders, digital cameras etc

The staff can give all of the support and advice that may be needed to make use of the facilities.

Learning skills

The Learning Development team offers free support and advice to all students on all aspects of study-related issues. As well as offering one-to-one tutorials, an e-mail service is also available for specific study-related questions. This is all supported by a comprehensive study skills library and excellent study guides covering areas from note-taking and presentations to adapting to university life.

SUM: UP

Support for Undergraduate Mathematics at the University of Plymouth or SUM:UP welcomes students of all levels and all courses into its drop-in centre for one-to-one assistance in a relaxed environment.

This assistance is offered in conjunction with a diagnostic testing facility and paper-based follow-up support to address any weaknesses that have been identified to ensure that students can work effectively in an analytical way.

Accommodation service

If students' university plans include relocating; a friendly team in the Accommodation Service will be able to provide any advice and guidance that they may need ahead of the move to the area.

Careers

Experienced and professional Careers Service staff offer information, advice and guidance to help students manage their future career and make effective applications for employment. Students are encouraged to recognise, develop and effectively market their skills and experience to ensure employers are aware of the benefits of employing Plymouth University graduates.

The careers service offer a range of help from discussing career options, finding out about job adverts, providing help to improve key skills and in making applications - from CV help right through to interview tips. The service is also available to graduates for up to three years too!

As well as jobs and careers, the service also has information on further courses, gap years and volunteering, so there is something to help students, wherever they venture after graduating or while a student there.

Part-time jobs

The university has an online job service; 'Gradsouthwest'. While it can be used to search for graduate jobs, it is also used to advertise part time and temporary work and volunteering opportunities that students can take part in while continuing study.

Disability Assist Services

The Disability Assist Service (DAS) supports students with disabilities by providing:

• Support for students who are applying for the Disabled Students' Allowance and a specialist assessment service
• Special examination arrangements
• Dyslexia and work place assessments
• Initial training and support in the use of specialist technical equipment
• Study skills support
• Information in alternative format

This is just an outline of the ways in which the university can support our students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to contact Disability Assist Services if affected by a disability, whether it is visible or unseen and they will work to identify possible support arrangements with the student.

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy works alongside the other support services to ensure students feel comfortable, supported and a part of the university community. They provide practical help and friendship regardless of religious background or belief, or indeed lack of it!

The chaplaincy service can be used by anyone from any religion. It can be used as somewhere to chat about things, to get advice, to find information out about various religions or get contact details for local religious groups.

The Chaplaincy has staff and helpers from a range of different denominations. They have regular worship sessions and hold other events like lunches and walks. They also host talks about religions and hold lectures on various topics.

There are student groups for many religions. These include the Christian Union, Sherwell Student Group, the Hindu Society and the Islamic Society.

Childcare Freshlings Nursery

The 'Freshlings' nursery is well- equipped providing children aged between 0-5 years with every opportunity for development and stimulation. Run by a team of dedicated and qualified staff, children are guaranteed a safe and caring environment.

Accommodation

Plymouth University has a fantastic accommodation office on campus, with friendly staff eager to help in whatever way they can.

For first year students, halls of residence and cluster flats are approved by the university. About 60% of first year students can gain a room in these facilities; unsuccessful applicants have the chance to to search for alternative accommodation at a 'Find a Home Event', introduced to help first year students as well as other returning students to find accommodation.

Halls of Residence

The University Partnership Programme (UPP) supplies and manages the student halls of residence at the university. The halls are placed together in a 'student village'. All halls of residence are connected to the University of Plymouth's computer network free of charge, students can access internet and email facilities both internal and external using their own computers and other devices. Different halls of residence offer different facilities, from flats with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities to studio flats.

Cluster Flats

Cluster flat developments close to the university which are owned and managed by Unite plc. There are a variety of rooms available, from standard rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities to en suite rooms with private bathrooms but still with shared kitchens. There are also a few self-contained studio flats with private kitchens and bathrooms. There are also a few specially adapted studio flats.

Approved Accommodation

Plymouth University accommodation office provides an approved accommodation database. Approximately half of all first year students and virtually all second and third years choose their accommodation from the approved database. All properties are visited and graded by Student Accommodation staff to check standards of safety and suitability.

The database includes over 1000 student share houses ranging in size from one to 31 bedrooms, over 700 rooms in cluster flat developments, over 400 studio flats and more than 90 rooms in homestay accommodation.

Facilities

Laundry facilities are provided for Halls of Residence. Students provide all their own washing powder and fabric conditioner. Washing machines and tumble dryers are coin operated.

Plymouth City

City Centre

The city of Plymouth has a variety of shops to choose from. Drake Circus Shopping Centre has many high-street retail outlets including Topshop, Marks and Spencer, Burger King, River Island and Primark. There is also an outside shopping complex, with many more shops to choose from.

If it is supermarkets that you are looking for, there is a medium-sized Sainsbury's and a Tesco Metro in the city centre. Larger supermarkets are only reachable by Car, Bus or Taxi, including a very large Sainsbury, Tesco, Asda and Morrison.

The Mutley area of Plymouth also has a high street, providing a range of facilities to residents in the area.

Branches of all major banks are open in Plymouth city centre, additional cash points are around the city and on campus.

Transport

Students on or near the main campus in Plymouth are unlikely to need transport around the city on a daily basis as the campus is close to the city centre.

Plymouth train station is just a short walk from the main campus, and the line is on a major intercity network providing good connections across the country. A train to London Paddington can take just 3 hours. Direct services are also available to Manchester, Birmingham, the Midlands and Scotland.

Student Union

The University of Plymouth's Student Union (UPSU) is located within the Plymouth University campus.

It is one of the largest student union's in the UK hosting a wide array of events and offering services to all students. Plymouth University students and partner college students automatically become members upon joining their course.

Management

The University of Plymouth Students' Union is run by Executive Officers or 'Sabbatical Officers', who are elected in February and are the leaders of the UPSU, deciding on how UPSU runs day to day. The team consists of 5 Full Time officers that have recently graduated as students from the University, and collectively make up the Union Executive Committee (UEC). They also provide academic and national representation for Plymouth students.

Facilities

The UPSU building caters for a range of events and night-life activities. It also provides advice services as well as shopping.

Main building

The main building of the union has many different areas. The building is designed to be 'underground' and has many different rooms and services available to students. Inside, there is a small bar with bench seating for students who wish to watch football matches. Across from the bar is a lounge area where students can either sit on tables provided or sofas; also a new fast-food bar has opened in this area for students and can offer eat in as well as take away.

Across from the small bar area is a room with a dance floor and pool tables, sometimes used for private events. The UPSU have entitled this room 'Illusion'.

Down from Illusion, the main bar can be found, known as 'Sub-Lime', this is where most of the union's events take place. In this area is a dance floor equipped with DJ booth and projectors.

Advice centre

Attached to the main UPSU building is an an advice centre, where students can go with any problems. Advice is free and the centre is open to all students.

Shops

The union has two shops on campus, one selling day-to-day goods such as milk, bread and general snack food items and the other (named 'shop2') sells university merchandise such as university hoodies as well as pens and academic diarys.

Sports Clubs and Societies

The union is host to many sports clubs and societies. Anyone can join societies, and sports clubs provided they have an National Union of Students card with the UPSU Sport Stamp on the back for sports.

Sports Clubs

Societies

Events

The union holds many events throughout the year, both regular and one off.

Summer Ball

A summer ball is held each year. In 2012, the ball held a number of stages and guest acts, which included:

• Noah and the Whale
• Roots Manuva
• Jakwob
• Kissy Sellout
• Drumsound and Bassline Smith
• Utah Saints

As well as a traditional 'ball', other events included an outside stage as well as food stalls, a fun fair, fun casino, karaoke tent and a photo tent.

Applying to Plymouth

Thinking of applying to Plymouth? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here?

Other Plymouth Articles/External Links

External links

• Plymouth University
• Plymouth University Facebook Page
• Plymouth University Confirmation and Clearing Facebook Page
• University of Plymouth Student Union
• UPSU Twitter Feed

Other Articles and Links

• General Wikipedia information about the University
• Our Plymouth Discussion Forum
• University of Plymouth Homepage
• A-Z of Universities

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