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For the designers & makers of tomorrow
For the designers & makers of tomorrow
For the designers & makers of tomorrow
As the UK’s highest-ranked Arts University in the National Student Survey 2022–2025, Arts University Plymouth is proud to provide smaller class sizes where lecturers, who are active professionals in their fields, know and support each student.
Join a vibrant creative community, where collaboration across courses sparks new ideas and innovative projects. You’ll learn from practising artists, designers, and makers, while industry partnerships bring professional insight directly into the studio.
For a recent live brief set by industry partner Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in England, Arts University Plymouth students were invited to respond to the park’s centuries-old heritage through site-specific craft. One of these students, BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices graduate Liz Vass, transformed fallen timber into sculptural forms that echo both nature and geometry. Her work has already drawn wider recognition. Vass recently received a £11,000 (US$14,659.76) grant from Arts Council England to further develop her multi-sensory, site-responsive sculptures.
Stories like this are common at Arts University Plymouth. Across the creative industries, Arts University Plymouth graduates are carving out distinctive careers. Two alumni now work at Fermoie, the interiors studio known for blending hand-drawn design, traditional printing, and contemporary production to create textiles used in homes around the world. Another graduate collaborated with Arsenal Football Club on its N7 Firepower collection — a 23-piece streetwear range now sold internationally.
These outcomes reflect the ethos of Arts University Plymouth, where creative practice is closely connected to the real world. Located in the centre of Plymouth on a 13,000-square-metre campus, the university places sustainability, social responsibility, and material experimentation at the core of its teaching. Designers, ceramicists, filmmakers, and illustrators work across disciplines, exploring how creative practice can respond to the challenges of the present.
This is where creative futures begin.
#2
in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024)
Top Scoring
arts university in the UK 2022-2025 (National Student Survey)
University
of the Year for SW England (Whatuni Student Choice Awards, 2024 & ‘25)
1856
Founded in
Top 5
student organisations
Top Scoring
student organisations
Top 5
student organisations
TOP 5
in the UK for student satisfaction - Complete University Guide 2026
TOP 5
in the UK for creative facilities - Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024 & 2025
TOP SCORING
arts university in the UK - National Student Survey 2022 - 2025
1856
Founded in
5
in the UK for student satisfaction - Complete University Guide 2026
TOP
Scoring
arts university in the UK - National Student Survey 2022 - 2025
TOP
1856
Founded in
5
in the UK for creative facilities - Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024 & 2025
TOP
Embrace your creativity with a BA or MA
Lester Hui Long,
BA (Hons) Illustration
“I was thinking about studying abroad and I was trying to find a school overseas to study art - the staff here were very helpful and responsive, and if there were any difficulties with my application, they were more than happy to help me.
I just love being around the ocean, and Plymouth is very relaxing - people here are very approachable and very open to different cultures and different personalities.”
Hear from the students
Hear from the students
Lillie Steel, USA
BA (Hons) Costume Production
“I knew I wanted to study costume, and the options in the US are quite limited, expensive, and not very technical. I was able to do some online chats with course leaders as well as coming to visit, which was really great as I had never been to the UK before.
Plymouth was the best fit for me because I was able to explore many other things alongside my degree. I am very much a person that doesn't like to sit still, so AUP [Arts University Plymouth] is really my paradise. I also loved the proximity to the ocean. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest I have been surrounded by trees, ocean, and mountains my entire life, and I wasn't about to give that up.”
Nefeli Naoum, Greece
BA (Hons) Graphic Design
“I loved how open Arts University Plymouth is for everyone to try new things and use different workshops. I wanted an environment where I knew all my course mates and all the lecturers knew the students and their work.
I also loved how much Arts University Plymouth is connected to the design scene in the area, where it is common to visit networking events and invite guest speakers. My time at Arts University Plymouth was invaluable!”
Elena Ruiz, Spain
MA Visual Communication
“Before the MA, my work focused more on branding and packaging. Returning to Arts University Plymouth gave me the space to develop new expertise in editorial design, 3D applications, and conceptual work. I used the time to experiment and think more deeply.”
Lester Hui Long, Hong Kong
BA (Hons) Illustration
“I was thinking about studying abroad and I was trying to find a school overseas to study art - the staff here were very helpful and responsive, and if there were any difficulties with my application, they were more than happy to help me.
I just love being around the ocean, and Plymouth is very relaxing - people here are very approachable and very open to different cultures and different personalities.”