Study at Plymouth Marjon University

Why study at Plymouth Marjon University

All programmes include a work placement, and small class sizes mean close contact with tutors. The university holds Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework and reports strong student ratings, including first place in England for social inclusion in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027 and seventh in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2027. Facilities on the one-site campus include sports and exercise science laboratories, a theatre, media centre and music studio, added in a 2013 investment programme.

Location and student life

The university occupies one campus at Derriford in the north of Plymouth, next to Derriford Hospital and about 15 minutes' drive from the city centre. Plymouth, marketed as Britain's Ocean City, combines a historic waterfront at the Barbican and the Hoe, with Smeaton's Tower lighthouse, alongside theatres such as the Theatre Royal, the music venue Plymouth Pavilions and the Box museum and gallery.

Because study, halls, dining, sport and social facilities share one site, students settle quickly and mix easily. The campus hosts its own arts centre, and the city gives easy access to beaches, Dartmoor and the South West coast for trips further afield. Transport connections between campus and city are straightforward, so evenings out end with a short trip back to halls.

Courses and subjects

Subject areas listed by the university include Business; Criminology and Law; Education, Communities and Children; Health and Wellbeing; Literature and Journalism; Sport, PE and Coaching; and Teacher Training, with postgraduate teacher training (PGCE), taught masters such as MSc Business, Management and Enterprise, MA Education and MSc Psychology, plus research degrees including PhDs.

Every programme builds in a work placement, and the university works with employers across its courses to support graduate employment. Applicants without standard entry qualifications can consider foundation degrees or Access to Higher Education routes, and international students can apply across undergraduate, postgraduate and professional development courses. Exact course titles and availability should be checked on the university course pages.

Entry requirements for international students

International undergraduates apply through UCAS and postgraduates apply directly to the university, with requirements varying by course. For Student Visa entry the university publishes IELTS for UKVI minima of 6.0 in each category for undergraduate study and 6.5 in each category for postgraduate study, with equivalents such as LanguageCert and PTE Academic UKVI also listed; teacher training and linguistically demanding programmes may ask for more. Check the English language requirements and individual course pages for exact criteria before applying.

Accommodation

The university owns and manages seven halls of residence and a student village of 38 houses, all on campus, with utility bills, broadband and contents insurance included and 24/7 support from duty staff during term time. Marjon guarantees accommodation to first-year students studying at its Plymouth campus for the first time, either on campus or in approved off-site housing, subject to applying by the closing date and meeting admissions requirements. Private options in the city provide an alternative after the first year.

Scholarships and funding

The university advertises Elite sport scholarships for athletes alongside its Scholarships and bursaries information and a Student Funding Advice service covering loans, the University Hardship Fund and postgraduate and doctoral loans. International applicants should check the funding and international-student pages for current opportunities, as Marjon's own awards are limited and criteria change. Awards vary each year, so confirm eligibility, values and deadlines on the official scholarships pages before relying on them.