A wonderfully supportive environment with staff that are practicing artists themselves. Facilities for a range of disciplines with interdisciplinary practice encouraged! Very clean campus, plenty of spaces for study and creativity.

My tutor took great interest in my project and took his time to explain other ideas/directions as well as reading suggestions and artists to look into.

No

Arts University Plymouth (AUP) is a unique place of learning, exploration and personal development in the heart of Devon’s ocean City. Despite being an art school with 150 years of history, AUP is forward looking, progressive and innovative in its approach. There is an eclectic mix of students from many different backgrounds, age groups and cultures. The open and friendly atmosphere enables students with differing life experiences to readily share their ideas and perspectives. Students are encouraged to collaborate both within and across disciplines and across year groups, both within the university and outside in the community. The staff are committed to encouraging students to become self directed and readily facilitate students to explore their ideas. New ways of thinking and working are supported and staff actively work to remove any barriers that students might face during their studies. Being a small institution, staff and students form close working relationships making progress certain. Art and craft Workshops are easily accessed and tutors and technicians are approachable and always very helpful. The available tools and machines needed to make work are well maintained and plentiful. Computer access and IT support is excellent. However, the platform for communication and uploading work is more complicated than it should be. This can mean that important information and guides is sometimes hard to locate. Links with galleries, businesses and external manufacturers is very good and the university encourages and supports projects beyond the campus. Perhaps, more links could be forged with businesses beyond Plymouth and an increased number of placements and residencies within the arts and applied arts would be welcome. AUP is trying hard to encourage students to study abroad for some of their course and will help students secure exchange experiences and funding. More experience with in the staff with this program will probably make this easier for students in the future. The university is central in the development of arts in Plymouth and beyond and the impact of AUP is evident in the city and surrounding community. It is clear that AUP is not trying to copy other art schools but is actively pursuing an arts education that reflects its location. This makes AUPs output unique within the UK. The university library is well equipped and the library team are supportive and help students who are able and less able academically. Like all tutors at AUP they are approachable, expert and patient. The only barrier to creativity is a student’s own inhibition.

Master’s students are encouraged to develop their own professional practice and to develop their ability to become self directed. Lecturer and tutor contact is limited by staff hours. However, tutors and lecturers are approachable and answer requests for assistance quickly. When contacted, all staff members are helpful and certain to facilitate the requested support, either directly or by liaising with the appropriate staffs. Studio space is limited by student numbers but staff have tried to ensure space is available to any student that needs it, when they need it. Staff try hard to accommodate requests and help students realise their creative aims. Lectures are from a mix of internal and external artists. Most of the artists invited to speak about their practice are from a fine art or print background. Perhaps a broader range of creative practices may be offered in future including both traditional and contemporary experimental art forms. More mixing between Postgraduate and undergraduate students might be possible with joint projects working.

Next to the sea. Close to moors and countryside. Easy to find relatively cheap accommodation compared with other UK cities. Interesting history with longstanding links to the sea. On the up culturally with increasing emphasis on a place for the arts in the city planning which will lead to new opportunities.

No