University of Plymouth
The University of Plymouth is a public university tracing back to the Plymouth School of Navigation of 1862, which took university status in 1992. Its campus is in the centre of Plymouth on the south-west coast.
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One record matters more than any ranking when reading a university page: the Home Office register of student sponsors, which is what permits an institution to issue the CAS a student visa requires. University of Plymouth is on it. The visa itself is set out at UK visas and immigration.
01
What kind of university is University of Plymouth?
University of Plymouth is a public university in Plymouth, founded in 1862 as the Plymouth School of Navigation, taking university status in 1992. Its campus is in the centre of Plymouth and its maritime origin still shapes the facilities.
The maritime origin is visible in the infrastructure: the Marine Building on campus holds a wave tank and ship simulators, and the Marine Station used by the marine biology programmes sits on the waterfront.
02
Which subjects stand out at University of Plymouth?
The subjects University of Plymouth is known for are marine biology and oceanography, nursing, midwifery and optometry, engineering, business and law, psychology and geography and art and design. Marine science is the field the institution is best known for internationally.
marine biology and oceanography
using the Marine Building and the Marine Station
nursing, midwifery and optometry
with the allied health professions
engineering
civil, mechanical, marine and robotics programmes
business and law
undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
psychology and geography
with environmental science
art and design
including digital media
Programmes are searched from the university's own course catalogue, where each page carries the entry requirement, the syllabus and the fee in one place.
03
What are the entry requirements at University of Plymouth?
University of Plymouth admits undergraduates on A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification; a Turkish high school diploma alone is not accepted for direct entry. Postgraduate admission rests on a bachelor's degree and each programme publishes its own requirement.
On English language ability the admissions pages take IELTS Academic at 6.0 as the baseline for undergraduate programmes; some departments publish a component score requirement or a higher threshold. Other tests approved by the Home Office are accepted where a programme lists them.
Which documents are required?
Degree certificate and transcript
with a certified English translation
Proof of English
IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic
Personal statement
your own account of why you chose the course
Reference letter
one at undergraduate level, usually two at postgraduate level
Passport
so the identity details match the application
04
How much are tuition fees at University of Plymouth?
University of Plymouth publishes the international tuition fee on each programme's own page; there is no single central tariff. The student visa fee and the annual immigration health surcharge are added on top, and the university offers its own scholarships to international students.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student visa application (from outside the UK) | £558 |
| Immigration health surcharge (per year) | £776 |
| Maintenance to evidence, outside London (monthly) | £1,171 |
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05
What is campus and student life like in Plymouth?
The campus is in the city centre, with the library, the sports centre and the students' union building gathered on one site within walking distance. Plymouth is a port city on England's south-west coast, and the city centre is a short journey away.
Halls sit on and around the campus, with prices by room type published on the institution's own accommodation pages. The Theatre Royal and the National Marine Aquarium are in the city.
06
How is an application to University of Plymouth made?
Undergraduate applications to University of Plymouth go through UCAS with up to five programme choices, and the equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027. Postgraduate and doctoral applications are submitted through the university's own online portal.
- Programme choice: the course catalogue gives the department, the requirement and the fee.
- Documents: transcript, diploma, personal statement, references and English language evidence.
- Submission: UCAS for undergraduate study, the university's portal for postgraduate.
- Offer: conditional or unconditional, with the conditions stated.
- CAS: issued once the offer is accepted and the deposit is paid.
The step after the CAS is the student visa itself, and its published conditions are set out at UK visas and immigration.
How does the application timetable run, month by month?
| Period | Step |
|---|---|
| May–September 2026 | Researching courses, sitting the English test and preparing documents |
| September 2026 | UCAS applications open |
| 15 October 2026 | Deadline for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, Oxford and Cambridge |
| 13 January 2027 | Equal consideration deadline for undergraduate applications |
| February–May 2027 | University decisions and firming up choices |
| June–August 2027 | Meeting conditions, receiving the CAS and applying for the Student visa |
07
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to University of Plymouth directly with a Turkish high school diploma?
A Turkish high school diploma is not accepted on its own for direct entry to an undergraduate programme. Applicants complete a foundation year, or hold A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification.
Which English language tests are accepted?
IELTS Academic is accepted and the level required is published on each programme's page, with 6.0 as the undergraduate baseline. Other tests approved by the Home Office are accepted where a programme lists them.
Does University of Plymouth issue a CAS for a student visa?
Yes. University of Plymouth appears on the Home Office register of student sponsors, which is what permits it to issue the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies a student visa application requires.
When is the undergraduate application deadline?
The UCAS equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027. Applications arriving after that date are considered where places remain on the programme.
Sources
- University of Plymouth — Admission requirements, the course catalogue and scholarship information are published on the institution's own pages. — 26 August 2026
- UCAS — The equal consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027 and an undergraduate application carries up to five programme choices.
- GOV.UK — The student visa application fee, the annual immigration health surcharge and the maintenance figure an applicant evidences are published by the Home Office. — 26 August 2026
- Discover Uni — Course-level continuation, outcome and student satisfaction data are published by Discover Uni. — 26 August 2026
