The University of Plymouth is a research university on England's south-west coast, best known for marine science, medicine, engineering, computing and health. Its marine institute is one of the largest in Europe, and the campus sits a short walk from the historic harbour. Choose it for a science degree with the sea as a laboratory, at low cost.
Plymouth, United Kingdom
Official website: plymouth.ac.uk
#661
Home to one of Europe's largest marine research institutes
Over 75% world-leading or excellent (REF 2021)
Consistently top 10 in the People & Planet University League
£16,000 – £21,000
International students, undergraduate and taught Master's
£9,000 – £11,500
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on plymouth.ac.uk before you apply.
MSc Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MSc Data Science and Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MSc Marine Biology
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MSc Civil Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
BSc Nursing (Adult)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Marine Institute — one of Europe's largest, with research vessels and a coastal test site.
Peninsula Medical and Dental schools — trained in one of the UK's newest medical schools.
Marine Station — a waterfront teaching and diving centre on Plymouth Sound.
Plymouth — Britain's Ocean City, with Dartmoor and the Cornish coast nearby.
Marine science graduates join the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and offshore energy firms.
Engineering alumni work at Babcock's Devonport dockyard and the south-west's marine industry.
Computing graduates move into Bristol's and Exeter's tech sectors.
Medicine, dentistry and nursing graduates take NHS posts across the south-west.
Undergrad
14 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Rolling
The campus is a compact city-centre site with the library, students' union and most teaching within a five-minute walk, and the Marine Station on the waterfront ten minutes away.
Plymouth is a coastal city with a historic harbour, low rent and Dartmoor National Park and Cornwall's beaches within easy reach. London is three hours by train.
CAS from the University of Plymouth
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS with an equal-consideration deadline of 14 January 2027 for September 2027 entry; medicine and dentistry close on 15 October 2026. Taught Master's courses accept applications on a rolling basis, with most closing in July for September and November for January.
September is the main intake for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Plymouth also runs a January intake for many taught Master's programmes, including computer science, data science, the MBA and civil engineering. Marine biology is September only.
You need a Student route visa. Plymouth issues your CAS once you accept an unconditional offer and pay the deposit. Apply online up to six months before your course starts, showing proof of funds, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with the application.
Computer science, data science, the MBA, marine biology and civil engineering are the most applied-for programmes. Most Master's courses ask for a 2:2 or above and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 5.5. Undergraduate offers typically range from BBB to CCC, with medicine requiring AAA.
Yes. Plymouth offers international scholarships that reduce tuition for undergraduate and Master's applicants, including awards for students from India and other countries, usually assessed automatically from your application. Check the university's scholarships page for the current amounts and any separate application steps.
