Arts University Plymouth

Students' Union

The SU looks after student interests and provides services including events and networking opportunities. They also manage the college clubs and societies. All student union officers work voluntarily, with the exception of the SU president, who works full-time. The team is elected once a year by the college’s students.

The college’s inviting social space is the perfect place to unwind. By day it offers students the chance to socialise, have a coffee or snack or carry out some work outside of studio hours while by night the student bar is run by the Students’ Union who regularly hosts events and student nights here too.

The space can be booked by students to host private fundraising events, meet-ups and host societies. It also acts as a space in which students can display their work, showcasing everything from ceramics to showreels.

Plymouth College of Art students on Whatuni say:

“Brand new Students Union social space and bar so the facilities are top notch! Also great representation of the student body with different reps for things like events /charities /marketing /LGBTQ representatives, also student reps from different courses form a student council to express the interests of every student.”

“Student union is good, they host many fun things like quiz nights and drink and draw evenings.”

Clubs and Societies

PCA: SU operates a variety of clubs and societies where students can make new friends, and get involved in student life. Clubs include everything from paddle boarding, surfing and rock climbing to cinema and design and are open to everyone to join.

The SU also organises student events and trips. It is run by members of the student body who are elected every year.

Plymouth College of Art students on Whatuni say:

“There honestly seems to be something for everyone, and if there's something missing...the student union helps set that up. We also have workshops Wednesday's for people wanting to get involved in other practices for free.”

“Students unions run a great range of events and trips, like drinks and draws, paddle boarding, quiz nights. Range of societies relating to our community interests eg. D&D society. So there's definitely something for everyone.”

City life

More than 40,000 students call Plymouth home, and it’s not hard to see why.

If getting out into nature excites you, then there’s the beautiful countryside and coastlines to explore, including the breathtaking moors of Dartmoor.

​​Plymouth offers a variety of new arts and enterprise centres, including the recently reopened £40 million redesigns of The Box which houses the museum and city archives. It houses an impressive seven permanent galleries and showcases collections from the South West Film and Television Archive.

For shopping, there is a large shopping centre with big name brands as well as plenty of independent boutiques.

Come evening, students can revel in one of Plymouth’s many pubs, bars and clubs. The city has a well-established live music scene, with many intimate gigs happening across the city each week.

Plymouth College of Art students on Whatuni say:

“City Life is good, Plymouth is a great hub for creatives, socialites and professionals alike, great night-life, great food, amazing locations and activities available all year round. It's a big city-experience mixed with some small town comforts.”

“Plymouth is a lovely city by the sea. The arts and culture scene here is growing rapidly and there's a great music scene here too. You're not just a small fish in a big pond here, you feel like you can really get involved with the creative community here and make a difference.”

Cost of a pint This is the average cost of a pint.

Source: IDP Connect 2019

£2.00 - £0.75

per pint