Arts University Plymouth

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Arts University Plymouth, formerly known as Plymouth College of Art, is a public university located in Plymouth, South West England. It gained university status in May 2022, following the granting of taught degree awarding powers (TDAP) by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in 2019. This recognition allowed the institution to independently award its own undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The university specializes in creative education across undergraduate, postgraduate, and pre-degree levels, with a strong focus on art, design, crafts, and media. Its pre-degree offerings include the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, taught at Palace Studios, a dedicated facility for foundation-level students. As an official Adobe Creative Campus, the university emphasizes digital creativity and access to cutting-edge design tools.Founded in 1856 as the Plymouth Drawing School, Arts University Plymouth is one of the few remaining specialist art institutions in the UK. It has provided higher education for over two decades, initially through a partnership with the University of Plymouth to offer foundation degrees. In 2006, it gained direct funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), later moving its degree validation to the Open University. The institution was renamed Plymouth College of Art in 2008. In 2013, it launched the Plymouth School of Creative Arts, a free school for students aged 4 to 16, establishing a comprehensive pathway for creative education from early years through to postgraduate level. The school’s iconic building, The Red House, was inaugurated by Tate Director Sir Nicholas Serota, marking a significant moment in UK educational history. The university’s evolution culminated in the 2020 graduation of its first independent cohort, followed by the official recognition of university status in 2022, solidifying its role as a leader in creative arts education.