University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth is a vibrant and friendly University. Consistently ranked one of the top modern universities in the UK, Plymouth has a strong record of excellence, enterprise and innovation across its teaching and research activities and is distinguished by its long-term engagement with employers.

With around 30,000 students, including those studying at its partner FE colleges throughout the South West, the university is one of largest in the UK. With four government-funded Centre's for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, the maximum awarded to any single institution, the university enjoys a high rate of graduate employment and has recently invested more than £110 million in state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the student experience.

Plymouth is ranked in the top 50 research universities in the UK*. The results of the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 showed the majority of areas submitted by the University included world-leading research, achieving the highest rating possible, scoring 4 stars. Overall, 80% of the research was judged as being of international repute.

As the enterprise University, the University of Plymouth delivers outstanding economic, social and cultural return for business, the professions, the public sector and its wider community.

*Research Fortnight league table.

Location

Unlike many other universities, our campus is based right in the heart of the city ensuring that you are never too far from the action. The campus forms part of the city centre and is only a few minutes' walk away from the pedestrianised shopping area and train station. In addition, Plymouth's spectacular waterfront, The Hoe and historic Barbican area are within walking distance of the campus.

Our students are already benefiting from over £100 million of recent investment in facilities. The campus has been redesigned and modernised, to create improved study leisure amenities including:

• new fitness complex
• sailing and diving facilities
• refurbished science and engineering building
• new open-access computing facility
• new arts building
• new food technology and dietetics laboratory
• new nursery facilities
• extended library facilities with 24/7 access
• research facilities for health and medicine students
• Students' Union extension
• new purpose-built education studies building

Why study at postgraduate level?

After graduating with a postgraduate degree from the University of Plymouth, a number of different career opportunities will be opened up to you, increasing your likelihood of finding meaningful employment. The University has a higher-than-average employment rate for postgraduate students, with 84% of full-time and 93% of part-time students employed within six months of completing their studies.

Your postgraduate study

Postgraduate opportunities at the university take a number of forms which include taught masters of research, professional doctorates and research degrees including NewRoute PhDs. We offer a wide range of postgraduate programmes that encompass professional development, research training and specialist knowledge. Programmes can be undertaken full-time, although some part-time and distance learning modes are also available.

Postgraduate taught degrees (MSc/MA/MRes)

Taught programmes lead to a masters degree qualification and are usually studied over one year, although part-time opportunities are available. Taught programmes offer flexible opportunities for learning vocational skills, provide advanced learning in a subject area and can set the foundation for further research. A wide range of masters degree programmes are available at the University, which reflect the diversity of disciplines and expertise of our academics.

Postgraduate research degrees (MPhil/PhD)

Research degrees are designed to equip graduates with the skills and methods necessary to carry out further research within a research environment, or to move into a range of other professional careers in academia or business. They are characterised by the requirement to undertake a substantive research project together with a taught skills element. Many of those who achieve a masters degree progress to this level of study. This incorporates PhDs, three to four years full-time and MPhils, two to three years full-time, and NewRoute PhDs.

Support for postgraduate students

The Graduate School operates across the entire university and has an executive role in assuring quality and due process for postgraduate research degrees. It support includes:

• the provision of good facilities for learning access to scholarships, studentships and bursaries for research degrees, professional doctorates and taught masters programmes
• opportunities for research students to develop professional skills through a free comprehensive programme of generic skills workshops and study days
• assurance of the quality of our provision through codes of practice and feedback from research students
• social space in which to meet fellow postgraduates
• support from the Postgraduate Society through monthly exchange sessions.

Address:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Drake Circus
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 8AA
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1752 585858
Fax: +44 (0)1752 588050

Contact us via the web http://www.plymouth.ac.uk
Email Address prospectus@plymouth.ac.uk