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Arts University Plymouth

Arts University Plymouth

Key Information
Location Plymouth, England
Established 1856
International Students 5%
Famous Courses Costume Production, Animation and Games, Glass, Jewellery Design
Key Information
Location Plymouth, England
Established 1856
Famous Courses Costume Production, Animation and Games, Glass, Jewellery Design

Arts University Plymouth Overview

Founded in 1856, Arts University Plymouth (AUP) is a leading independent arts university run by artists and designers, for artists and designers. It’s home to a dynamic community of bright artistic minds from all over the world. Formerly known as Plymouth College of Art, in 2022 AUP achieved University status, and changed its name to reflect this.

The world needs creatives now more than ever. AUP’s proposition is that making is as important as reading and writing, as science and maths, and that the purpose of learning is inseparable from that of living your life. AUP is a place for making things, for making things happen, and for making a difference.

The benefit of studying at an arts university is that you are part of an environment that values your subject and helps you grow as a creative. AUP is no different, and the practical subjects students study set graduates up with strong ambitions to create award winning companies or head off to world-renowned companies.

In 2022, AUP won Best Small/Specialist University at the WhatUni awards and was the top rated Arts University according to the National Survey of Students. 

The University offers a variety of excellent courses across a number of creative disciplines. Due to the history of AUP in the city of Plymouth, they have a close relationship with organisations, which allow students to work with organisations in the city on live briefs and see their work come to life. Students have the privilege of learning at AUP’s state-of-the-art campus and have access to outstanding facilities. It’s home to an array of creative studios, social areas, and impressive workspaces to name a few.

Arts University Plymouth Services for International Students

AUP has a relatively small population, with around 2000 students, of which there are about 100 international students. The international team are open and accessible, hosting student mixers and offering 1:1 support to students from enquiry to graduation.

Students also benefit from the universities student support services, careers and enterprise team and access to the award winning Student Union.

Arts University Plymouth Rankings

  • Best Small/Specialist University at the 2022 WhatUni Awards
  • Top Arts University for Student Satisfaction according to the 2022 NSS

Arts University Plymouth Accommodation

Not only is Plymouth one of the safest cities in the UK, but it is also one of the cheapest, with the average student accommodation rent being 50% cheaper than in London. AUP works with several accommodation providers in the city, and can recommend students with accommodation to suit their needs.

Arts University Plymouth Location

AUP is located in Plymouth, one of the UK's cheapest and safest cities. Plymouth is in the South West of England and is known as “Britain's Ocean City”. It is one of the most vibrant waterfront cities in Europe, with so much to explore. Nestled between the coast and the wild beauty of Dartmoor National Park, there’s something for everyone. 

There’s everything you’d expect to find in a cool, cultural city here, with great shopping, arts and entertainment. But there are also hundreds of years of history to uncover, from Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada to the Mayflower sailing in 1620, to a city rebuilt following the Blitz during World War II.

Plymouth is home to an eclectic and diverse cultural and creative industries sector, which includes creative and digital media, audio-visual, design TV and film production, visual arts, music technology and games development.

Made up of a vibrant mix of cultural businesses, including the award winning Theatre Production centre TR2, a rich programme of arts and cultural performances across the year and a growing number of artists and creators driving forward the city’s reputation as a centre for high quality creative industry. 

Creative industries are increasingly becoming an important ingredient to enhance productivity in Plymouth’s traditional key sectors such as marine, manufacturing, medical and healthcare through the integration of creative technologies from enhanced design, to computer modelling, artificial Intelligence and gamification to improve productivity.

Arts University Plymouth Alumni

AUP alumni do amazing things - some go on to work for global companies in the creative industries, and some become successful freelancers, while others set up their own businesses. 

  • Tatsu Ishikawa (Graphic Design) - Tatsu came to study at AUP, and after working on live briefs and interning with 33Seconds, he secured a job there and is now a Senior Designer at the London based company. 
  • Tim Nguyen (Games Arts) - Tim studied Games Arts at AUP graduating in 2014, and now works for Sony Interactive on some of the biggest releases on PlayStation!
  • Charles Dance (Graphic Design) - Charles Dance aka Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones, attended AUP, studying Graphic Design.
  • Suki Dhanda (Photography) - Suki studied Photography at AUP and has gone on to photograph stars such as Stormzy, David Attenborough and Yoko Ono through her work with the Guardian and Observer Newspapers. 

Breckett Front  SI-UK's service is fast, reliable and efficient. Their consultants are specialists, working closely with all UK universities and, through my consultants' advice and application assistance, I was able to receive offers from my favoured universities.  Breckett Front

Carla Termini King's College London, Accounting and Finance