Welcome to the University of Plymouth 2022
What to expect from your student experience during this academic year
Welcome
Whether you’re starting an exciting new chapter with us or returning to campus for a new academic year in 2022/23, we want you to succeed and make the most of university life, stay safe and enjoy yourself. There is so much for you to experience at university and we aim to help you shape your future far beyond your chosen subject, giving you unique experiences and skills that help you stand out.
We are excited for the start of the academic year when you’ll spend time learning and developing your skills – and what’s really important is that from your lecturers, tutors and learning technicians to your Faculty admin staff and the advisors in our Student Hub, there’s a whole team of people here, ready to help you achieve your ambitions and support you every step of the way.
Find out how to complete online enrolment, access course induction information and more through University induction.
What to expect
Welcome Week and Freshers
The week before teaching starts is Welcome Week, sometimes also referred to as Freshers Week, Arrivals Week or Induction Week. This week is designed to help you find everything you need for the best possible start to your life at the University of Plymouth. During Welcome Week, we’ll help you settle in quickly and easily. You can visit our friendly Arrivals Lounge, set up to help you with any questions you have or just with settling in. Our cafés will be open for you to pick up a coffee, and the campus will be buzzing with people joining us for the first time or returning to Plymouth. This is a really exciting week totally dedicated to you – lots of student ambassadors will be available across the campus to help you with anything you need.
As part of your welcome week, our Students' Union puts on Freshers, a whole series of events, fairs, welcome activities, drop-in sessions and entertainment where you can join your favourite clubs and societies, buy things for your room, connect with other students, join in with the special evening entertainment or simply explore the city and meet new people at your own pace.
Academic induction
Academic induction is an essential part of joining your programme. From early August, your new course will post an academic induction schedule which tells you key information about your programme, such as any books or kit you might need to buy and where you need to be going and when during September. Most importantly, academic induction is your chance to meet your new tutors and coursemates for the first time, and to get stuck in to your programme.
Your studies
When you choose to study at Plymouth, you get so much more than a great qualification and an experience in one of the most amazing student cities in the UK. There’s lots to navigate and we’re here to make sure you get the best possible university experience.
Our teaching and research is on-campus and in-person. We’ll help you engage in real-world problem-solving, giving you the skills we know employers value. University is also a social time. We want you to have as much live interaction with your lecturers and your coursemates as possible – to learn alongside one another, develop new relationships and support one another.
How we teach
We teach a huge range of subjects, from design to dentistry and maths to marine biology. Each subject has its own unique mix of classes and teaching formats, varying from lectures to practical assessments, seminars, tutorials, group work, projects and independent study.
Our courses are divided up into modules, some compulsory and others optional, allowing you to specialise and tailor your learning to the path you want to follow. Some of our courses also include the opportunity to go on a placement or spend some time studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.
There are also field work, trips and opportunities to undertake work-based learning, all of which give you practical hands-on experience and can make a big difference to your future career, as well as being a great addition to your CV and online profile.
Learning to learn
We want our students to come out with new skills and feel more independent, confident and resilient. You’re not just learning about your subject, but how to learn and work more effectively. Every student is assigned a personal tutor for academic and personal support, so there is always someone around for you. Our award-winning Writing Café is available every day during term time to help you express your ideas more clearly and achieve to the best of your potential. There’s also SUM:UP , a friendly drop-in support service to help students with maths and statistics. We have a team of dedicated information specialists who can give advice on topics including what to expect from your teaching and assessments, looking after yourself online, finding specialist library journals and resources, understanding copyright issues and everything in between.
Study and social spaces
Our campuses are friendly and fun places to be with plenty of great spaces to work, relax, meet and socialise with friends. If you’re looking for somewhere to study, our library has silent work areas and relaxed spaces for group work, while there are plenty of open access computer stations in the library as well as social and study pods located around the campus.
Our lively cafés and Students' Union are great spaces for relaxing and meeting friends. You can enjoy the Plymouth sunshine on the student plaza located on the SU roof, find a spot on one of the grassy landscaped areas or even take a 10-minute stroll up to Plymouth Hoe, where you can enjoy fantastic sea views.
Growing and changing at university
For many of us, coming to University is an opportunity to branch out and experience new independence. You’ll have lots to manage in your day-to-day life. As well as your studies, you could be exploring your exciting new city, searching for work placements, or dealing with the admin that comes with living away from home. It’s important that you know support is available for you take control of your wellbeing and get answers to any questions you may have. Whatever your question, our friendly advisors are here to help and can refer you to specialist support if you need it.
Our dedicated Student Hub is your one-stop shop for all non-academic queries. You might want to ask questions about your student loan, check your study timetable, find out more about volunteering, hone your LinkedIn profile or share a business idea – our advisors based in the library can help you with this and more.
If you’re in our managed halls, our specialist halls officers are also on hand to support you with everyday questions as you settle into university life. Our SU Advice Centre can help with practical advice on everything from budgeting tips and money, to navigating the city and its nightlife, to dealing with your landlord.
The Careers Service can help you find flexible part-time work to contribute to funding your studies or help you with your career planning – supporting you to figure out your next steps and make the right choices for you and your future.
Taking care of you
It’s crucial to look after yourself as you study. There are evidenced links between good mental health and sport and exercise. Regular exercise can help to maintain personal wellbeing and mitigate the effects of mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
Through our SU, on-campus gym and wider sporting connections throughout the city, the University offers a range of fitness sessions and classes. There are also numerous sporting clubs and societies to get involved with.
Our Student Hub is also on hand to provide a range of individual support. Wellbeing has always been, and continues to be, a priority for us and if you’re struggling, you’re not alone: our Student Services team are on hand for support, including our dedicated our Mental Health team. We have specialist staff who run drop-in counselling services and confidential telephone and face-to-face appointments for a range of individual services to support you and your wellbeing at every stage of your University life.
Your university family
Interacting with others and making friends is such a crucial part of your university experience, which is why it is very important that you feel supported by us and each other. Finding your tribe is key. As well as coursemates and housemates, you can start by joining one of our many SU societies, from Anime and Afro-Caribbean groups through the Harry Potter Society, right through to Vegan Soc and the Zoological Society. What’s more, if you can’t find a society for a hobby that you’re interested in, we’ll help you start one!
Your Students' Union
The University and Students' Union work closely to support students and ensure that your voices are heard. Independent advice is always available and the SU and University are partners in our student charter, which ensures that we provide a safe and supportive environment and keep students’ success at the heart of everything we do.
Support for international students
Plymouth is a home away from home for our international students – we have a thriving international community made up of 2,000 students from over 100 countries. We are so pleased to be able to welcome our international students onto campus for this academic year and are here to support you every step of the way.
As an international student, you can access help and advice from the International Advice Team, find out more about your visa from the UKVI compliance team or improve your English language skills at the English Language Centre.
Need more information? Our teams will help you get the answers to your questions. Please read our advice for international students or email studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk. If you’ve not managed to visit Plymouth yet, it’s not a problem; take a virtual tour of the campus and the surrounding city to get ready for exploring the city when you arrive.
Our support for you
Digital skills
You will need to use digital platforms as part of your learning experience and we will support you to make sure you have the digital skills you need to access learning and programme materials and share information and coursework with others.
We have developed training materials and online sessions to support you in the use of these as part of your studies. You can access all of these materials as soon as you have completed your online enrolment.
IT equipment: support and recommendations
We recommend that all students have access to their own technology to access their programme including the right hardware (for example, a laptop), software and connectivity (for example, broadband). If you’re purchasing a laptop, you should review our recommended IT equipment specifications for new students.
If you’re unsure about the specific computer requirements for your course, make sure to speak to our Student Services team on +44(0)1752 587676 who can put you in touch with the tutors on your course.
If you find that obtaining the right technology is difficult because of financial reasons, the University might be able to support you. Have a look at our bursaries and other funding options.
Please note: if your programme requires the use of specialist applications that are computing or graphics intensive, for example, CAD, gaming, film or design, you may need a higher specification computer. In this case please contact our Student Services team on +44(0)1752 587676 who can put you in touch with tutors on your course for advice.
Supporting your wellbeing
Your wellbeing has always been, and continues to be, a priority for us. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Reach out to our Student Services team for support, including our dedicated Mental Health team and a range of other services including:
- Disability Services
- Learning development
- Mathematics support through SUM:UP
- Support for care leavers
- Pastoral and spiritual support
Did you know that students suffering from anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions may be able to access additional funding to support their studies?
Get in touch with our Student Services team or directly with Disability Services.