Plymouth University - In Depth

Founded: 1970 as a polytechnic, later merging with colleges of education, art and agriculture. University status in 1992.

Structural features: New Peninsula Medical School, a joint enterprise with Exeter University. Also involved in Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) initiative.

Site: Main campus in Plymouth city centre; other campuses in Exeter (art) and Exmouth (education, music & performance). How to get there: Regular rail service from London Paddington, South Wales, Midlands and the north to Exeter and Plymouth; coach services from most major cities (local bus to Exmouth); by road via M5, and A38 from Exeter (3h hours London to Plymouth); to Exeter and Plymouth airports from various cities in UK and beyond; ferry links from France and Spain to Plymouth.

Academic features: Modular degree scheme covering science, social science, arts and marine studies. First year modules offered at partner colleges in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, so students in south-west can study nearer home.

Awarding body: Plymouth University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEd, BEng, BM BS, MEng, LLB, MMath, MChem, MGeol.

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4 years (BEd, sandwich courses).

Library & information services: Specialist libraries on each site: total of 502,000 volumes, 2850 journal subscriptions (increasingly electronic), plus AV materials. Annual expenditure on information provision, £59 per (FTE) student. Network across all campuses and some student accommodation, including CD-Rom, national and international databases. General induction for new students on academic and information services. IT skills normally part of course programmes; short course, workshops and seminars on computing.

Other learning facilities: Navigation simulator, computer-aided engineering facilities, diving school. Desk top publishing, colour laser printer, binding and lettering equipment.

Study abroad: Opportunities to study in Europe (through Socrates-Erasmus), North America or Australia. Students from any discipline can spend a term or a year at a partner institution and complete degree with no loss of time. Languages can be incorporated in most degree courses.

Careers: Careers education programme; careers fair; information rooms and advice on each campus; computer-assisted guidance system.

Student advice & services: Counselling; disability assist service; chaplaincy; medical, legal and other welfare services on each campus. Nurseries at Plymouth and Exeter.

Amenities: SU building and offices at all sites; SU bar on each campus; also shops, launderettes, entertainments (visiting bands, DJs etc); sporting and non-sporting clubs and societies; Student Community Action volunteers group; student newspaper.

Sporting facilities: All mainstream and a variety of other sports; university diving & sailing centre. Indoor recreation activities eg aerobics, badminton, karate, yoga, fully equipped gym.

Accommodation: Most first years in university halls (all housed who meet university conditions and live more than 25 miles from campus). 2400 self-catering places available (2000 in Plymouth, 200 in Exeter, 200 in Exmouth), £60-£72 per week (from £73 pw ensuite) term time only. Most students live in privately owned accommodation for 2+ years: average rent £40-£85 pw self-catering, £70-£85 catered lodgings. All students can live in accommodation directly managed or approved by the university.