University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth is a top 5 modern UK university*. It is a dynamic, ambitious and award-winning institution with a research-led culture that encourages innovative and creative ideas with the confidence to turn these into reality. Plymouth is an ever-evolving campus university ideally placed in the centre of Britain’s Ocean City.

Returning to study my masters was a significant benefit to my career. Whilst I worked in a rewarding role before, my return to my postgraduate degree was the key to opening some of the opportunities I was looking for.

Mark - MSc Applied Marine Science graduate

Why choose Plymouth?

• We have over 90 postgraduate programmes to choose from
• You may be eligible for a government postgraduate loan of up to £12,167
• You will be supported and supervised by staff who are international experts in their field
• Top 5 UK modern university (Times Higher Education Young University Ranking, 2021)
• 78% of our research is assessed at 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent) (Research Excellence Framework, 2021)
• Top 10 in the UK in sustainability rankings (People and Planet, 2021)
• Top 10 best UK universities (Student Crowd, 2022)
• Ranked 4th for the quality of our marine research and teaching (Times Higher Education Impact rankings, 2022)
• 7th most affordable student city in the UK (Superprof, 2022)
• Opportunity to change direction with one of our conversion programmes, allowing you to study a completely different subject area from your undergraduate degree

I would recommend studying at Plymouth because I have had a great experience and outcome. Plymouth is a very modern university which is constantly growing. It is an accepting community, open to worldly views, and looking into the future. There is a great atmosphere at the University and facilities are only ever improving.

Soraya – MSc Biomedical Science

Open Evening

Wednesday 25 October 2023: 16:00 - 19:00

Our Postgraduate Open Evening offers you the chance to speak with our academic and professional support staff. They can answer your questions and give you advice, guidance and information about our postgraduate research and taught programmes.

Gain perspective by chatting to current students to find out about their personal experiences of studying at postgraduate level.

Our Open Evening will take place on campus, so you will have the opportunity to explore our city-centre campus and expert facilities. There will be a range of sessions from finance talks to subject specific drop-in sessions to provide you with all the information you require to choose the right postgraduate programme to meet your needs.

Location

Plymouth is affectionately known as Britain’s Ocean City. The vibrant waterfront and town centre are home to a wide range of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, while other attractions include theatres, museums, an aquarium and lido – and of course, the spectacular views of Dartmoor just a short drive away.

The city has a great waterfront, from the Barbican to Plymouth Hoe. There’s definitely a lot to discover about the city. It’s rich in naval history and the city is surrounded by beautiful coastlines and incredible nature to take advantage of. The people that I spent time with in Plymouth will always bring back good memories.

Celene – MSc Hydrography graduate

Facilities

The campus has been redesigned and modernised to create improved study and leisure amenities, including:

• Charles Seale-Hayne library with 24-hour access, 365 days a year.
• Our world-class performing arts centre, The House, built to the very highest technical and sustainable specification.
• Our Marine Building, which houses some of the most advanced marine testing facilities, including: deep-water wave tanks, a ship simulator, technical labs and a support space.
• The new Derriford Research Facility, with hi-tech equipment which will accelerate our world-leading research.
• The Brain Research and Imaging Centre (BRIC) is the most advanced multi-modal brain imaging facility in the South West.
• And many more innovative improvements to our main campus are planned or underway.

My course is really practical and built around growing connections and experiences that transfer from the classroom to employment. I have one module that consists almost entirely of guest lectures by people working in conservation. The speakers talk about their own career paths as well as the field in general, and often have workshop exercises to help us better understand the practicalities of what they do. I feel like that module is setting me up to succeed after graduation.

Vasia – MSc Digital & Social Media Marketing

Funding

Did you know the average salary of working-age postgraduates is £42,000 which is £6,000 more than undergraduates?
Studying for a masters is undoubtably a significant financial commitment, but it’s worth the investment. You may be eligible for a government funded loan of up to £11,863 towards the cost of your masters degree.

There are also a number of additional ways to fund postgraduate study at the University of Plymouth, including scholarships, studentships, and grants from charitable trusts. Details of these can be found on our general funding webpages.

Support for Postgraduate Students

Our dedicated Careers & Employability Service offers free and impartial one-to-one careers information, advice and guidance throughout the year. All of our advisers are professionally qualified and experienced, and are able to offer a range of services. Visit our website to find out more.

Whether you choose a taught masters programme or undertake a research degree or professional doctorate, you are supported by staff who are internationally recognised in their field. Their experience, expertise and professional networks help you plan your future career. Our postgraduate programmes – most of which can be studied full time or part time – comprise input from researchers, current practitioners, professional bodies, businesses and industry. This ensures our programmes are current, relevant and stimulating, and enables you to develop practical skills sought by employers.

Not only this, but our Careers Service provides you with support for life, guiding you along your career path for as long as you need after graduation.

Our Doctoral College operates across the entire University and offers a range of support specific for postgraduate students including:

• Access to scholarships, studentships and bursaries for research degrees, professional doctorates and taught masters programmes.
• Professional skill development
• Support from the Postgraduate Society through monthly exchange sessions.

Being a postgraduate has given me an everlasting bond to the University, and the staff have been so supportive, I really feel like I’ve found a second home here.

Aaron – MA Illustration

International Students

Students from over 100 countries currently study with us, attracted to Plymouth by our reputation for teaching and research as well as the opportunity to experience one of the UK’s most beautiful regions. We support you during your studies and before you arrive.

Visit our international pages

Find Out More

Visit our Postgraduate webpages to find out all the latest information including our courses, fees and how to apply