The complex and under-explored roles played by fungi within the marine environment are to be explored thanks to a new GBP1.9million research project- awarded to Dr Michael Cunliffe, a researcher at the Marine Biological Association at the University of Plymouth.

MYCO-CARB, led by Dr Cunliffe, will examine the importance and abundance of marine planktonic fungi – otherwise known as mycoplankton.

It will aim to address questions around how these organisms interact with better-studied microbes in the cycling of carbon in the sea and, as a result, give scientists a better understanding of how marine ecosystems work.

The project has received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to fund five years of research, much of which will take place in Plymouth. The ERC has awarded Consolidator Grants to 329 researchers across Europe.

This will give Plymouth a chance to have far-reaching impact on science and beyond. More about this…

Shortlisted in Student Choice Awards

Plymouth was shortlisted in the international category of the Whatuni? Student Choice Awards 2018. This was based on the overall rating given by international students at each university. The winners were announced on the 19 April and Plymouth came in 4th place overall. Read more…

GBP 1 million research programme on remote marine environment

The University of Plymouth will soon be embarking on a 2 year research programme funded by a GBP 1 million grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation, as part of the Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science. Scientists from the university will be working to identify what natural mechanisms keep the species living within the seas at Chagos Archipelago so healthy, whilst also observing the movements of large organisms there, including sharks and mantas. The Chagos Archipelago is a remote British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) located south of the Maldives.

The goal of the project is to understand how marine ecosystems in the area function and explore how conservation practices might benefit other areas of the marine environment. This area of investigation is one of the most primitive marine ecosystems, having been largely untouched by human contact.

Martin Attrill, Professor of Marine Ecology and the programme coordinator, said: “This is an amazing opportunity to study one of the most unspoilt marine environments on the planet. BIOT provides an unrivalled location to understand the important natural interactions between the movement of the oceans, coral reefs and large marine animals and thus inform how we can improve and enhance environmental management.”

Shortlisted in Student Choice Awards

Plymouth was shortlisted in the international category of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018. This was based on the overall rating given by international students at each university. The winners were announced on the 19 April and Plymouth came in 4^th place overall.

Teaching methods

Plymouth offers the fourth best contact hours of all UK universities, with 34% of time spent in lectures or seminars on the average course.

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

Plymouth was awarded TEF Bronze- which is given for educational institutions with teaching, learning and student outcomes that meet "rigorous national quality requirements" for higher education in the UK.

Research-Informed teaching

Plymouth University is committed to enhancing the link between research in its disciplines, professions and teaching. All academic staff undertake a teaching qualification ensuring that superb teaching quality is maintained.

Course flexibility

• 'Plymouth Plus' modules in the first year allow students to work across disciplines, broadening their skills-base and to work collaboratively with students from other subjects
• Single or joint honours options are available

Rankings and ratings

In the 2018 League Table Ranking, Plymouth ranks 77th.

A few other factors that define the study experience at Plymouth are (as per the Complete University Guide) …

• Student Satisfaction- 4.06 / 5.00
• Research Quality- 2.74 / 4.00
• Research Intensity- 0.50 / 1.00
• Graduate Prospects- 68.3 / 100.0
• Student-Staff Ratio- 16.1

Teaching Methods

Plymouth offers the fourth best contact hours of all UK universities, with 34% of time spent in lectures or seminars on the average course. Over 4,500 students benefit from placements and work-based learning each year, as well as research led teaching. The university also offers 'Plymouth Plus' modules in the first year which allow students to work across subjects, broadening their skills-base and enabling them to work collaboratively with students from other subjects.

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

Plymouth was awarded TEF Silver - which is given for high quality teaching, learning and outcomes, exceeding the national quality requirements for UK higher education.

Research-Informed Teaching

The University of Plymouth is committed to enhancing the link between research in its disciplines, professions and teaching. All academic staff undertake a teaching qualification ensuring that superb teaching quality is maintained.

Rankings and Ratings

In the 2018 Complete University Guide League Table Ranking, Plymouth ranks 77^th among universities in the UK.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Bringing together a community comprised of the School of Art, Design and Architecture, the School of Humanities and Performing Arts, and the Plymouth Institute of Education, the Faculty is committed to teaching excellence whether in the studio, a seminar room, or in extra-curricular activities.

Faculty of Business

The Faculty comprises of the Plymouth Business School, the Plymouth Graduate School of Management, the School of Law, Criminology and Government, and the School of Tourism and Hospitality. Its teaching approach is research-led and designed to equip students with discipline-specific and transferable skills.

Faculty of Health and Human Sciences

The Faculty’s three schools of Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, and Psychology combine world-leading research and practical expertise across a wide range of scientific and practical disciplines.

Its graduates progress to a huge variety of professions, and Plymouth is one of the UK’s largest providers of graduates for the health and social care sector, which has over 350 different career paths.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Various study options are offered across the Faculty’s School of Biological and Marine Sciences, School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and School of Engineering. With excellent laboratories, exciting field trips and internships, students will develop their practical skills alongside their academic knowledge.

Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry

The comprising School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences, School of Dentistry, and School of Medicine offer students exceptional clinical learning opportunities, strong social engagement, and world-class research.

View more programme details…

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Bringing together a community comprised of the School of Art, Design and Architecture, the School of Humanities and Performing Arts, and the Plymouth Institute of Education, is committed to teaching excellence whether in the studio, a seminar room, or in extra-curricular activities.

Faculty of Business

The faculty comprises of the Plymouth Business School, the Plymouth Graduate School of Management, the School of Law, Criminology and Government, and the School of Tourism and Hospitality. The teaching is research-led and designed to equip students with discipline-specific and transferable skills.

Faculty of Health and Human Sciences

The faculty consists of three schools. Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, and Psychology combine world-leading research and practical expertise across a wide range of scientific and practical disciplines. Graduates progress to a huge variety of professions, and Plymouth is one of the UK’s largest providers of graduates for the health and social care sector, which has over 350 different career paths.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Various study options are offered across the Faculty’s School of Biological and Marine Sciences, School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and School of Engineering. With excellent laboratories, exciting field trips and internships, students will develop their practical skills alongside their academic knowledge.

Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry

The comprising School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences, School of Dentistry, and School of Medicine offer students exceptional clinical learning opportunities, strong social engagement, and world-class research.

For students from the USA:

• Undergraduate Level

Whilst these will vary according to the course, Plymouth University typically welcomes applicants to undergraduate courses with US high school diplomas with a combination of: AP at grade 4 or 5 (usually three subjects relevant to course), SAT circa 1250, ACT circa 26, & SAT subjects (three relevant subjects circa 400).

• Postgraduate Level

To apply for postgraduate courses (second degrees) from the USA, students will need a good undergraduate degree (with 3.0 / 4.0 GPA) in a relevant subject from a regionally-accredited American university.

For students from Malaysia:

• Undergraduate

Students need good STPM and SPM grades in appropriate subjects. If they hold a diploma or higher diploma from some institutions, they may be eligible for advanced standing, for example in second, or final year entry.

English Language

A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of Plymouth University's pre-sessional English Language courses. We also accept the Malaysian SPM - Advanced English 1119 (Cambridge O Level 1119​) at grade 6 (C) or above for both our Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes.

More international entry requirement details…

Entry requirements for international students hoping to study at the University of Plymouth can be determined based on home country. The university has a detailed route to check entry requirements, split into Europe, The Americas, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia. Within each of these continents are individual guidance on what is expected of a student from specific countries, for example Japan.

International candidates (students with a non-EU nationality) applying for a degree course with Plymouth must also have an appropriate English language qualification. Acceptable qualifications include:

• AS or A level in English Language awarded by Edexcel
• GCSE English Language
• Canada High/Secondary School Diploma/Certificate
• Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education and Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination
• Malaysia SPM
• Zimbabwe GCE O Level and more

If applicants do not meet the English language requirements, they may be eligible to attend pre-sessional courses, organised by the university’s English Language Centre.

EU students will be informed of any English language requirements for their course as part of the admission process.

Undergraduate scholarships

International students may be eligible for an undergraduate scholarship of GBP 1500. To qualify, students can be of any nationality provided they are paying the overseas fee rate and are in their first year of undergraduate study with Plymouth University. They must also meet one of the following academic criteria:

• SQA HND students who achieve ABB in their graded units (or AB if their particular HND only has two graded units)
• BTEC HND students who achieve a merit profile but with two or more distinctions included in the profile
• IB students who achieve two points more than the number stated in the conditions of the offer made
• A-level students who achieve 8 UCAS points more than the number stated in the conditions of the offer made
• Applicants who are joining Year 1 of a course with Plymouth University after having completed a UK foundation programme that is academically accepted and who have achieved 10 per cent higher overall than the percentage stated in the conditions of the offer made

International Student Merit scholarship

This scholarship is for all masters programmes and the minimum eligibility criteria for consideration for this award is the equivalent of a UK University upper second class undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. The value of this award is GBP 2,500.

More about scholarships…

The University of Plymouth offer a number of scholarships for international students across university programmes. This includes the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, the Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Undergraduate Scholarships

International students may be eligible for an Undergraduate Merit Scholarship for GBP 2,000, or an Undergraduate International Academic Excellence Scholarship, worth 50% of tuition fees in the first year of study. To qualify, students can be of any nationality provided they are paying the overseas fee rate and are in their first year of undergraduate study with the University of Plymouth.

Postgraduate Scholarships

Similarly to the Undergraduate Scholarships, postgraduates can apply for the Postgraduate Taught International Merit Scholarship, worth GBP 2,000 of tuition fees in first year of study, or the Postgraduate Taught International Academic Excellence Scholarship, worth 50% of first year tuition fees.

Students must meet all eligibility requirements, dependent on the scholarship type. This usually includes previous qualifications in higher educations or undergraduate study. Students applying for any scholarship must also meet the English Language requirements.

There are a wide range of facilities on campus, such as:

Charles Seale-Hayne library

The Charles Seale-Hayne Library is open 24/7 and provides access to approximately 350,000 books and multimedia items, 14,000 current journal subscriptions, and a variety of different study environments.

Specialist labs

Plymouth is home to ISO accredited labs, electron microscopes and wave tank testing facilities.

Accommodation

Moving away from home can be a daunting experience and Plymouth’s Residence Life Team helps students every step of the way. The team ensures students enjoy living and studying in Plymouth, build life-long friendships and feel fully supported during their time there.

Students can choose from a great variety of halls of residence, all of which offer a safe and friendly environment, and are close to the University’s main campus, near city centre amenities and situated in one of the South West's most vibrant coastal locations. Living in halls is an exciting, life-changing experience at Plymouth.

Charles Seale-Hayne Library

The Charles Seale-Hayne Library is open 24/7 and provides access to approximately 350,000 books and multimedia items, 14,000 current journal subscriptions, and a variety of different study environments.

Specialist Labs

Plymouth is home to ISO accredited labs, which are equipped with electron microscopes and wave tank testing facilities.

Accommodation

Students can choose from a great variety of halls of residence, all of which offer a safe and friendly environment. The accommodation buildings are close to the university’s main campus, near to the city centre amenities and situated in one of the South West's most vibrant coastal locations. Rooms vary between en-suite and shared bathroom facilities, all with internet access.

Sports

The UPSU Sports Centre provides a range of activities and sports services to students. Facilities include the 50 station gym, multi-purpose sports hall, dance studio, squash courts and a sports injuries clinic. Sports available at the centre include badminton, football, netball, volleyball, basketball and table tennis.