University of Plymouth

The United Kingdom is a sovereign state in Europe. Lying off the northwestern coast of the European mainland, the country includes the island of Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands. The UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea in the east and the English Channel in the south; the Irish Sea separates Great Britain from Ireland. Its capital city is London, an important global city and financial centre. The UK consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is known for its parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy, and its membership in international organizations such as the United Nations and NATO.

Plymouth is located on the south coast of Devon. The amazing landscapes of the River Tamar and Cornwall are to the west, and the beautiful open spaces of Dartmoor National Park are to the north. You can take a trip to the largest indoor rainforest in the world at the Eden Project or try surfing on one of the South West beaches. A short walk from campus takes you to the Hoe, where you can find beautiful views across Plymouth Sound and visit the famous Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse. It’s a perfect spot for a barbecue with friends in the summer! Take a stroll down the promenade and you’ll enter the Barbican, Plymouth’s old town and home to its independent scene. As you explore its historical cobbled streets, make sure you check out the vintage shops, galleries and eateries. You can also find the Plymouth Gin Distillery, as well as the National Marine Aquarium on Sutton Harbour – both perfect for a rainy day!

The University of Plymouth is located in the coastal city of Plymouth, England. It is dedicated to excellence in research, academics, student success, and sustainability. In 2022, the university placed in the Top 5 UK Young Universities in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.

To view available courses for exchange students, click here, choose a department, choose a program, then select “course details” and look at “program specifications” at the end of the section.

• Level 4 modules are introductory and are best suited to students without a background in the subject. 
• Level 5 modules deal with the subject in much greater detail and should be appropriate for students in their second or third year of higher education. Specific prerequisites can sometimes be a condition for enrolment on these modules. 
• Level 6 modules require extensive background knowledge before the module begins and should only be taken by students with the prerequisite knowledge. 

Exchange students may select courses from the following faculties:

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business 

• Plymouth Business School 
• Plymouth Institute of Education 
• School of Art, Design and Architecture
• School of Society and Culture 

Faculty of Science and Engineering 

• School of Biological and Marine Sciences (limited) 
• School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences 
• School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics 

Faculty of Health 

• School of Biomedical Sciences (limited) 
• School of Health Professions (limited) 
• School of Nursing and Midwifery (limited) 
• School of Psychology 

Students may take up to 60 Plymouth credits (30 ECTS) per semester 

The European academic structure varies from the North American system. Courses completed at a European exchange partner will not be transferred back to the U of L on a course-for-course basis. Rather, students will be required to successfully complete a certain number of ECTS (European Transfer Credit System) credits to earn U of L credit equivalency. Typically, a full course load is 30 ECTS, and 6 ECTS = 3 U of L credits. 

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

If you plan to stay in the UK for 6 months or less, you do not need to obtain a study visa. However, you should ensure you are absolutely certain you will not want to work in the UK and you will not want to extend your stay. For more information about short-term entry requirements click here.

If you plan to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months, you will be required to obtain a Student Visa. To view the University of Plymouth’s step-by-step guide for applying for a visa click here. The application fee is £363 (2023). To apply, you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University of Plymouth. The CAS is a unique number that will be issued to the University of Plymouth by the UK Border Agency. You will receive a 90-day entry visa with your passport followed by a BRP (residence permit) card once you arrive in the UK.

For more information, visit the University of Plymouth’s website or www.gov.uk/student-visa.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting the UK, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences 

• Cost: £120 – £190/week (2023)
• Furnished rooms; mostly shared bathrooms and kitchens 
• All halls of residence are located on or within a short walking distance (1-5 minutes) of the main campus 
• Applications can be made through the university’s Accommodation Portal. You will be given access as soon as you are accepted to the university.

Private Housing 

• Students who do not wish to stay in student residences may arrange for private accommodation 

Arrival Information

Students may book a seat on one of University of Plymouth Meet and Greet coaches leaving from Heathrow Airport. The coaches leave from Terminal 2. If you book a seat, you will be emailed instructions before the date of arrival. For more information about arriving in the UK click here.

In Plymouth

Students at the University of Plymouth have access to a discounted student bus pass from Stagecoach. The pass allows for unlimited travel within your chosen zone. A full semester pass costs £146 (2023).

In Europe

For those planning a lot of travel throughout Europe, it is recommended to buy a Eurail pass. The pass must be purchased before going to the UK.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is advisable that you obtain fully comprehensive travel and health insurance before departing for the UK. For more information, click here.