Student guide to Plymouth

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Plymouth is located in South West England, and is one of the major cities in the region, with plenty to offer students. There are two unis on offer here, the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University. Each uni offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, so you’ll have plenty of choice here. While you’re not studying, there’s a lot of nightlife, student activities and things to keep you entertained. If you feel like Plymouth might be the uni city to you, our student guide is just what you need to answer some of the burning questions you’ve got about the city. Read on to learn all about student life in Plymouth, from what there is to do to accommodation to how much it all costs!

Student activities in Plymouth
Nightlife in Plymouth
Student accommodation in Plymouth
Transport in Plymouth
Student costs in Plymouth
Universities in Plymouth

Student activities in Plymouth

When you’re not studying, there’s plenty to see and do in Plymouth. For sightseeing, you should pay a visit to the Plymouth Hoe or Wembury Beach.

For shopping, Plymouth has over 70 stores at Drake Circus Shopping Centre, and many of the shops here offer student discount to make your shopping spree a bit easier on your bank account.

If you’re wanting to do something a bit different, then Plymouth is home to the National Marine Aquarium, the UK’s largest aquarium. The Plymouth Barbican is also a popular spot for a day out thanks to its range of shopping, eating, drinking and sight-seeing opportunities.

Read our list of the top 10 things to do for students in Plymouth.

Nightlife in Plymouth

The nightlife scene in Plymouth has plenty to offer to suit a range of different interests. If it’s cocktails and dancing you’re after, then you might want to visit Revolutions followed by PRYZM, Plymouth’s largest nightclub.

If you’re looking for a less wild night out, the Theatre Royal Plymouth might be for you. They put on a range of shows including regional productions, comedy shows, ballet and opera.

For many students, live music is a big draw. Plymouth has a range of music venues including The Junction, a pub which hosts regular gigs, and The Underground, a 175-capacity venue.

Student accommodation in Plymouth

Most students opt to live in uni-owned halls of residence in their first year of study. In halls, rent is typically all-inclusive meaning you don’t have to worry about utility bills or wifi as this is included in your rent fees.

The University of Plymouth offers rooms starting from £118 per week. There’s a range of rooms to suit different budgets, with shared bathroom options on the cheaper end of the scale and ensuite or studio rooms being the most expensive options. Students in uni-owned accommodation here may have the option to pay for a meal package, which costs £45 a week for two guaranteed meals a day from Monday to Friday.

Plymouth Marjon also has a range of different rooms on offer. Prices start from £109 for shared bathroom rooms, or £132 per week for ensuite rooms. All first year students at Plymouth Marjon living in halls must buy a Dining-in-Card for £820 a year, which covers one meal per day Monday to Friday.

If uni-owned halls aren’t for you, you may wish to live in private halls of residence which offer a similar package, or you may prefer to look into renting a room in a shared house. Typically, rooms in shared houses or flats start from £80 per week, but prices can be as high as £250 per week if you’re looking for a studio flat. You’ll likely also need to pay utility bills on top of your rent, which work out to around £50 per person in a shared house or flat.

Transport in Plymouth

The city itself is compact, meaning many students choose to walk or cycle as their main form of transportation. If you’re living further out of the city, or if you just prefer to use public transport then you’ll find a strong local bus network. Students can purchase a Unirider bus pass to save 50% on travel passes, with an annual bus pass costing £333 – less than £1 a day.

If you’re travelling further afield, it can be expensive to reach some of the UK’s major cities. For example, one-way tickets to London start at around £31. Travelling around the South West is affordable however, should you wish to visit a nearby city such as Exeter. To save money on rail travel you can purchase a 16-25 Rail Card which entitles you to 1/3 off your train tickets.

Student costs in Plymouth

As well as accommodation and course fees, typical student expenses in Plymouth each month include:

£200 on grocery and hygiene products
£25 on laundrette services (if your accommodation doesn’t provide a free-to-use machine)
£50 on utilities in a shared flat (if not included in your rent costs)

As well as essential expenses, you’ll want some money left over for socialising! Common costs associated with typical student activities in Plymouth include:

£3.50-£4 for a pint of beer
£10 per person for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant
£13 for a five-mile taxi trip

Read our detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Plymouth for students.

Universities in Plymouth

Plymouth is home to two universities – the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University.

Plymouth Marjon University ranked within the top 10 UK universities for student satisfaction according to the Complete University Guide’s 2023 rankings. The uni’s commitment to supporting students through all aspects of life combined with the state-of-the-art facilities contributes to their high satisfaction score.

The University of Plymouth has been steadily climbing the Complete University Guide’s league tables for the last few years, and in 2023 came within the top 10 UK universities in eight different subject areas including social work, creative writing and food science – a diverse range of subjects!

If you’ve got more questions about what it’s like studying in Plymouth after reading all our guides, then why not book an open day in Plymouth? If you’re sure uni in Plymouth is for you, then start searching for courses in Plymouth now.

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Student guide to Plymouth

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