Student Life Applicant Journey Edition 2022 by University of Plymouth

STUDENT Applicant Journey Edition 2022

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

YOUR OFFER HOLDER DAY CHOOSING BETWEEN YOUR UNIVERSITY OFFERS A PARENTS’ AND SUPPORTERS’ GUIDE TO THE APPLICANT JOURNEY

Admissions +44 (0)1752 585858 applications@plymouth.ac.uk University of Plymouth Drake Circus Plymouth Devon PL4 8AA United Kingdom

Inside...

Applicant Journey Edition 2022

HOT TOPIC P.6 Why attend an Offer Holder Day? Questions you should ask

Welcome to the Applicant Journey edition of Student Life and massive congratulations on your offer of a place at Plymouth! We’re here to help you to make the most of the opportunities university has to offer. This edition will provide you with the essential information you need for the exciting times ahead. Your student life starts here.

FEATURES P.8 Find your home All you need to know about halls P.14 Your finances Fees and funding explained P.20 We Support Student Hub – looking after your wellbeing

Meet some of this issue’s contributors:

P.22 We Explore Our students’ favourite places in and around Plymouth P.24 We Campaign Our sustainability goals Charlie BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing From spatulas to pillows and everything in between, Charlie gives his top tips for moving out of home. P.10

Emily BSc (Hons) Psychology Emily gives an insight into her experience as a first-year student at the University of Plymouth. P.12

Robyn Outreach and Events Team Leader Advice on how to go about making your choice between university offers. P.16

STAR T YO UR J O UR NE Y Visit us at an Offer Holder Day

Start exploring – take a virtual tour

Attending an Offer Holder Day is a great way to get a deeper insight into your course – and to meet your coursemates. Chat to current students and the ones who might be your future peers and friends a few months from now.

Our virtual tour allows you to experience first-hand what it is like to be on campus and explore the environments and facilities that inspire and shape our learning every day.

THE GUIDE P.18 A Parents’ and Supporters’ Guide to the applicant journey Tackling the next important steps together

A MESSAGE TO OUR FUTURE STUDENTS FRO M PAT R I CI A MURCHIE , D IR EC TO R O F E X T ER N AL R EL AT I O N S

Congratulations on taking the first step of your applicant journey. This is just the beginning of your university adventure and the start of a whole world of new experiences both inside and outside of your studies. Our University prides itself on how it balances the importance of study along with the importance of a diverse and vibrant social life. Amidst a world that has faced many adjustments in the past few years, more than ever we have placed our students’ wellbeing at the forefront of our work, and we are confident that we can support you in feeling part of a community that can help you to reach your goals. We look forward to helping you through every step of this exciting journey ahead, to introducing you to a lifestyle and location where both people and our planet are valued, and where you will be able to look forward and create a positive and impactful future. CONGRATULATIONS! You have your offer of a place at the University of Plymouth. This guide will help you understand the next steps of your applicant journey and provide you with the essential information you need for the exciting times ahead.

Understanding your offer A conditional offer means you still need to meet the requirements – usually exam results. You can find the conditions of your offer in your UCAS account. An unconditional offer means you’ve got a place, although there might still be a few things to arrange.

Attend an Offer Holder Day Your invitation to attend one of our offer holder days is in this pack. These events are subject specific and tailored to give you the chance to explore your chosen subject in much more detail.

Accept your offer Once you’ve received decisions from all of your institutions/ course choices, select your firm (preferred) and insurance (reserve) choice via UCAS. You will also need to respond to any requests for further information in your offer letter.

Apply for your accommodation Think about where you would like to live during your studies. We guarantee a place in halls – either University managed or from accredited private providers – to all undergraduate first-year students who make Plymouth their firm first choice and apply before the deadline stated on our website.

Apply for your loan

This guide provides further information on student loans as well as the scholarships and bursaries available.

Get the right support

As well as supporting you academically, we’re also here to support your overall wellbeing with a wide range of resources to help you to get the most out of your time at university.

Explore your new home By living and studying in Plymouth you have the opportunity to explore the stunning beaches and countryside Devon and Cornwall have to offer.

Keep connected

See the back of this magazine for more information on how you can stay connected with us.

Get the right support

For more information on the services available to you while you are with us, visit:

APPLICANT JOURNEY Our helpful timeline shows you the key dates to be aware of throughout the year. If you hold an offer with us, you will be invited to an Offer Holder Day or an interview. There is an Offer Holder Day invitation inside this pack.

Sep 2022 – Mar 2023

• UCAS deadline. • Student Finance opens. • Make an application to Student Finance – you do not need an offer to start this process.

25 Jan 2023

The process of applying for university accommodation begins. See pages 8 –11 for further details.

Jan 2023

You need to reply to all offers – firm, insurance or decline. You will also need to respond to any requests for further information outlined in the offer letter. You can check your personal reply deadline on UCAS Hub.

May 2023

The University of Plymouth Offer Holder Days – another chance to visit our vibrant campus, take an in-depth look into your chosen course, ask questions and explore the city.

Jan/Feb/Mar 2023

The University of Plymouth Open Day – a chance to visit us before the September start.

June 2023

• A level results and Clearing • Y ou need to check UCAS Hub to see the status of your application. If the entry requirements have not been met, you should contact the university as soon as possible.

Aug 2023

Enrol at university!

Sep 2023

WHY ATTEND AN OFFER HOLDER DAY? You may have already visited us at one of our open days, but the questions you have now are likely to be very different to the ones you had before making your application and initial choices.

YOUR TAILORED OFFER HOLDER DAY IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION ABOUT YOUR UNIVERSITY AND GIVE A DEEPER INSIGHT INTO YOUR CHOSEN COURSE.

• Access more details about your chosen course. • Speak with academic staff who will be teaching you. • Take part in interactive workshops and subjectspecific activities. • Explore the city, campus and our state-of-the-art learning facilities.

See your enclosed Offer Holder Day invitation for more details.

•C hat to current students about their university experiences. • Learn more about your accommodation options. • Get to know your Students’ Union and discover more about your sport and leisure opportunities, societies and available support.

Find out more and book your place:

“Meeting the academics who will become your lecturers can be an invaluable experience as the course is often a result of their own specialisms.” Will, BA (Hons) English student

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT YOUR OFFER HOLDER DAY: What are the contact hours for my course?

How do I access help and support at uni?

Are there any field trips?

What is there to do in your spare time?

Where did you live in your first year and how did you find it?

Which halls are the most popular?

What have been your favourite modules to learn?

Is there anything you wish you’d known before you came to the Uni?

Will I have time to take on a part-time job?

We know how important finding the right accommodation is when choosing your university, especially if it’s your first time moving away from home. Living in halls helps you to build lifelong friendships and adjust to university life in a supportive environment during your first year. We have a wide range of room types to suit all budgets.

9 We guarantee a place in halls, either University-managed or from accredited private providers, to all undergraduate first-year students who make Plymouth their firm first choice and apply before the deadline stated on our website.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Applications for a place in halls can be made through our dedicated Accommodation Portal, which will be open for new applications from the end of January 2023. When the portal opens, we will be in touch to invite you to make a booking. F Here is a quick step-by-step guide to the application process:

Confirm Plymouth as your firm first choice on UCAS Hub and apply for your accommodation from the end of January 2023.

Made your choice? Your booking will be confirmed within 72 hours. You will not need to pay anything at this stage to secure your booking.

Make it official! In the summer you’ll be contacted to sign your licence agreement and pay your two weeks’ advance rent to finalise your booking.

After A level results have been officially confirmed, we’ll contact you to tell you your room number and share the details of how and when you can move into your new home!

@PlymUniResLife @plymouthuniaccommodation

TOP TIPS FOR MOVING OUT OF HOME

“I wanted to live on campus to be close to everything. There’s loads of storage, a desk and a pinboard, which I used to put photos up. The Accommodation team ran loads of socials and competitions all year too. I honestly loved living in halls and I don’t think I know anyone who wouldn’t say the same.” Kathryn, BSc (Hons) Events Management student

CHARLIE, BA (Hons) ENGLISH AND CREATIVE WRITING STUDENT The Accommodation team is here to support you throughout your application journey and during your time living in Universitymanaged halls. You never quite realise how invaluable a frying pan is until you leave home. Or bowls. Or spoons. I can’t quite tell you how many pieces of cutlery I’ve lost over the years. For some reason, cutlery at university takes on the role of socks in the dryer: they just… disappear! Leaving the comfort of your home where meals are cooked for you each night, everything is readily available, and there are no fights over who used your barbecue sauce (cue black and white war flashback) can be quite a daunting task. You soon realise you don’t quite know what you use at home and what you don’t. I can guarantee there will be, or has been, a shopping trip for supplies where you’ve asked questions such as: “Do I need an air-fryer?”, “How many spatulas will I use?” (probably at least six), and “Do I sleep on two pillows... or nine?”

Start by making a list of everything you might need. The best bet here is to ask your parents or older siblings as they most likely will have gone to uni before, or at least have definitely moved out of home. Kitchen supplies are the most useful, but don’t forget things like towels and toiletries for the bathroom.

Each day, make a note of the items you use around your home... and would want to use again at uni. Remember, things like toilet paper, shampoo, soap and conditioner can all be bought when you’ve moved in so they don’t need to be taken with you. The same goes for food and snacks.

The next step is whittling down your wardrobes and cupboards to clothes you actually wear. Start by picking up the things you might wear and create a pile of things you definitely don’t. Packing for uni is a great way to declutter as you soon begin to realise how

many items you never actually use anymore. If you have too many things, then start to be a bit more brutal. When was the last time you actually used each item or wore that item of clothing? The chances are, there are a few things you’ll take with you thinking you’ll use but never will, but this gets easier the more you move.

If I were you, I would pack everything that you can fit in the car. Say you get to uni and there’s a variety of things you don’t need, you can always give them to a charity shop, lend them out to friends, or store them away to be taken home.

As long as you have the necessities, then having too much isn’t really an issue. You’re always going to forget something, but there won’t be anything you can’t nab from a quick trip into town. Not to mention, you can always pick up anything when you go back home for Christmas.

University-managed Halls of Residence GILWELL

FRANCIS DRAKE

MARY NEWMAN

Indicative cost per week:

£165.50–£192

£107

£165.50–£172

Number of rooms:

330 – all en suite

197 – all shared-facility

157 – all en suite

Location:

On campus

Student Village

On campus

Located at the heart of the main campus, this hall has lift access to all floors and has its own café nearby. It is close to the library, lecture theatres and Students’ Union while the city centre is only five minutes’ walk away.

Gilwell Hall has a strong community feel with a friendly atmosphere, and offers great value for money. The hall has the city centre on its doorstep and is only a minute’s walk away from the Students’ Union, library, campus cafés and lecture theatres.

Ideally located in the centre of the main campus, Mary Newman has lift access to all floors and is just a minute’s walk from the gym, the library and the beautiful Drake’s Place Gardens and Reservoir.

PILGRIM

RADNOR

ROBBINS

Indicative cost per week:

£156.50–£179.50

£156.50–£179

£107–£142.50

Number of rooms:

237 – all en suite

408 – all en suite

Location:

430 – offers both en suite and shared-facility

Student Village Nestled in the heart of the vibrant student quarter, Pilgrim is always a popular choice. Situated just a short walk from the campus, city centre and trendy cafés, it’s ideal for those looking to enjoy a sociable atmosphere.

Student Village Radnor is another popular hall choice for our students. Radnor’s blocks are situated around a spacious outside courtyard which acts as a great central hub for outside events and socialising with friends and neighbours.

Location: Student Village Robbins is our largest hall, offering both shared-facility and en suite options to suit a range of budgets. This lively hall is just a short walk away from the University campus and city centre.

All prices are inclusive of utilities, basic insurance, free membership to the Residence Life social programme, the full range of accommodation services and 24-hour security. Please note the properties, contract lengths and prices listed are correct for the academic year beginning in September 2022. These details are subject to change, so please visit plymouth.ac.uk/accommodation for the most up-to-date information.

Find out more

about our Universitymanaged Halls. Scan here!

12 12

EMILY’S FIRST YEAR

Going into my first year, I expected to find the process very difficult in terms of the course content, the move, making friends and finding my way around a new city – however, this was not the case at all. Emily, BSc (Hons) Psychology student

IT WAS SUCH A NATURAL, EASY PROCESS TO GO THROUGH FOR ME. ALTHOUGH AT FIRST IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH A ROUTINE WITH SOCIAL LIFE AND UNI, OVER TIME THIS WORKED OUT AND I HAVE LEARNT TO ADAPT. With studies, in particular, I thought that the change from A levels to university was going to be really difficult in the sense that there would be loads of work and it would be really difficult to wrap your head around. For me, this wasn’t difficult as I studied my subject at A level. I found the challenge resided more in that you are now responsible for completing all of the work to the

deadline, there are no reminders, no one pushing you to do it. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you are organised and ask for help as soon as you realise you need it because the work is manageable when you are on top of it, but when you fall behind that is where the stress comes in. I also found that a major difference between A levels and uni was that you can no longer just sail through, memorising the content and regurgitating it, but you have to deeply understand it, apply it and be able to use it across different contexts. However, I think this makes it more engaging and interesting.

ACCOMMODATION I lived in Francis Drake halls of residence, which is on campus, and I genuinely found that there were only pros to this. It’s really sociable. I found that the vast majority of my friends/ coursemates lived there, meaning it was really easy to meet up either socially or to go through work together, and even just walking to lectures together was really nice. One of the best things was that you could leave the flat ten minutes before your lecture started and still get there early. I could literally see my lecture theatre from my flat. Although I lived in Francis Drake, I have friends who lived in Radnor and

Robbins halls, which are about a three-minute walk from campus, and found it just as convenient and maybe even a more sociable environment as it is bigger. MAKING FRIENDS Before starting university, I was really worried that I had forgotten how to make friends, but as soon as you get there you realise there are so many different ways to make friends, and everyone is in the same boat. I met one of my best friends literally in the queue to get my ID card. I have friends who I met in clubs, lectures, group chats, through flatmates/other friends and through societies.

My main advice would be to keep all doors open, don’t write anything off, and say yes and smile – it will get you far. I know everyone says it, but join societies even if it’s just for nights out! You meet so many people and have so much fun. Good luck!

YOUR

Finances Tuition fees and student loans Our undergraduate fee for 2022–23 entry is £9,250 per annum for home students. You can either pay your fees by applying to the Student Loans Company, subject to its approval, or pay the fees yourself. You won’t repay a penny of the student loan until you’re earning over £25,000 a year if you are a new borrower starting a course from September 2023. Repayments vary according to personal circumstances, but as an example, if you’re earning £28,000 a year you would pay back £17 a month. Fees and funding for international students will vary, so for more information please visit:

Scholarships and bursaries We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to help you fund your studies. Visit our website for more details:

Cover your living costs If you’re studying full time, you’re eligible to apply for a living cost loan. This will help fund your everyday spending for things like food, travel and accommodation costs. Contact our Student Funding Unit for more advice.

“One of the best things that I got into the rhythm of doing was simply planning my expenditures when my loan came through. It takes about half an hour(if that) and is absolutely invaluable in the long run. Firstly, work out how much you have left from your loan after your rent is taken out. After that, work out how many more weeks it is until your next loan comes through. Divide the money you have left over by the weeks you have left and adjust for any extra spending for things like gym contracts, as well as any extra income from work. By the end of it, you have an exact amount of how much money you can spend each week and even each day.” Charlie, BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing student

“You can download the UniDays app for free and get lots of good discounts — you just have to show the app in store. Many shops offer a 20% discount for short periods of time, so make sure you download it! Loyalty cards are also good to get and are normally free. Also, just ask at any shop if they offer a student discount, because in some shops you only need your student ID to get money off.” Nina, BA (Hons) Fine Art and Art History student

Budgeting tips As the student loan is paid in three instalments, it is up to you to budget this so you don’t get caught out! Our current students have suggested the following budgeting tips. 1. DON’T SPLASH OUT TOO MUCH ON ACADEMIC BOOKS in the first year – look out for second-year students selling their old books. 2. USE A BUDGETING APP if you struggle to keep tabs on how much you’re spending. 3. A PART-TIME JOB can be a great experience if you can manage your time well while you’re studying. 4. TRY NOT TO EAT OUT TOO OFTEN but when you do, always use vouchers and discount codes if you can. 5. DOWNLOAD THE UNIDAYS APP AND BUY A 16–25 RAILCARD as this will save you lots of money when travelling and shopping. 6. DON’T KNOCK SUPERMARKET BASICS until you’ve tried them. Rather than buying branded foods, go for cheaper alternatives. 7. HAVE A SEPARATE ACCOUNT to your student loan and rent so you can see what you are spending your money on and what is coming in and going out.

“Reassess what you consider essential. Do you need to buy the top-brand food or can you settle for the shop’s own brand? Making small changes all around adds up significantly, so try this for a few weeks and see where it gets you. University is all about getting an education and having fun, so try and keep a little bit aside from your monthly budget for those unexpected nights out or to buy the latest video game, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.” Gaurav, Bachelor of Dental Surgery student

Here are some things to consider that might help you decide if the University of Plymouth is right for you. Attend an Offer Holder Day These are for students who have received an offer from the University. Ask as many questions as possible – it’s a great opportunity to grill current students, support services and academics! Your support network Community and support are crucial to a happy student experience. Your university family is wider than you think at Plymouth! Whether it’s mental health support, advice on careers and placements or financial aid, we’ve got your back.

Explore the accommodation We guarantee a place in our halls to all undergraduate first-year students who make Plymouth their firm first-choice institution and apply before the deadline stated on our website. Look around the local area You’ll be living in the city for at least three years, so make sure you’ll be comfortable here and it has all of the amenities you want.

Outreach Events Team Leader Robyn Langdon If you have received your uni offers, now comes the difficult part: choosing your favourite two. Your reply deadline will depend on when you get the last decision from your university choices. Check your UCAS Hub account to see your personal deadline.

STUDENT TIPS

You will then need to reply with the following three decisions: This is your first-choice course and university.

This is your ‘back up’ choice, just in case you don’t meet the requirements.

You do not want to attend this course or university.

Why does it matter? It’s important that you’re happy with both your firm and insurance choices and that they are in the right order as you cannot choose between the two when you get your results. Since 2014, there has been a 34% increase in applicants going to their insurance choices, and 8% of all applicants attend their insurance choice university, so it is just as important as choosing your firm choice! What if you change your mind? You have 14 days after making your choices to change your mind, and you can do this through UCAS directly. After these 14 days it becomes very difficult to switch, so make sure you are happy with your choices before you submit. Any changes after this point will need to go through the Clearing process.

When choosing, remember… Make sure you choose an offer from a university which is achievable, and that your insurance choice has different conditions than your firm choice. A lot of offers will have additional conditions – i.e. DBS check, learning assessment or occupational health check – not just your grades, so make sure you check these too. Researching from home Once you have received an offer from a university, you should be invited to a specific open day just for applicants. Don’t worry if you didn’t get a chance to visit one of these earlier in the year. A lot of universities now have virtual open days or tours, so it is worth checking their websites.

Don’t choose a firm or insurance choice university without either visiting or doing considerable online research first.

Don’t base your decision purely on reputation and league tables as you need to find a university that is right for you.

Don’t make hasty decisions. Use this time to do in-depth research online by checking uni websites and contacting enquiries teams to ask any questions.

Trust your instincts and don’t go to a university just because it’s where your friends or family are going/have been.

VISIT US

THE PARENTS’ AND SUPPORTERS’ GUIDE TO T HE APPLI C AN T J O UR NE Y

With the challenges of the last few years, we want to reassure you that your family member can still expect a quality education and a fantastic experience, and at Plymouth we are here to support their applicant journey every step of the way so they can secure the future they richly deserve.

We understand that preparing for university and the next phase of their lives may feel overwhelming at times. As a parent or supporter you will want to lend your backing as much as you can, which is why we’ve put together this helpful guide so you can tackle these next important steps together. The transition from school or college to university can be a big jump, but there are lots of tools to help your family member along the way.

There is a University of Plymouth app for keeping on top of emails and timetables, study skills sessions integrated into the first semester, and the PAL (Peer Assisted Learning) scheme, where new students can get help from current students. University helps to develop so many transferable skills, including: • Time management – your family member is provided with a lot of free time around lectures, and they have to organise how they use this time best to complete their research and coursework. • Independent learning – many employers are seeking to recruit adaptable, selfmotivated learners. This doesn’t mean your family member is alone; regular office hours for course-related drop-ins are built into many courses so that students can get one-to-one feedback and assistance from lecturers and personal tutors. • Confidence – your family member is taught a huge amount on their course. Modules and assessments are designed to provide indepth feedback and ensure that students are encouraged to present their ideas with confidence and pride. Some tips for parents and supporters Going to university can seem a little overwhelming, but there are plenty of ways for both students and their supporters to get involved: • Attend events such as open days and Offer Holder Days. These are a great opportunity to talk with university representatives and explore the campus. • Ask questions! Try to get an understanding of what your family member will be studying, especially if it’s something you’re not familiar with. • Encourage your family member to get involved in events and societies.

W H Y HI GHER EDU C AT I O N? Completing an undergraduate degree is a big decision to make and a life-changing experience.

To meet new people and find new interests

Graduate benefits include improved career prospects, increased earning potential, improvement of key life skills, higher levels of independence and making new friends for life.

96%

Over of University of Plymouth graduates are working, or due to start employment or further study, 15 months after graduation.*

A CHANCE TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN THEIR FIELD OUTCOMES 15 MONTHS AFTER GRADUATION‡ 5.7%

8.9%

Other

Unemployed, including those due to start work

52.3%

Working full time in the UK

11.4%

Working and studying

INCREASE

12.4%

THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND ENHANCE THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE

Working part time in the UK

9.4%

University graduates could earn on average £10,000 more a year than non-graduates; on top of that, they have a 16.5% greater likelihood of being employed. †

“You quickly become adjusted to university life and the only real difference I would say in terms of education when compared to school is that you are a lot more independent.” Nina, BA (Hons) Fine Art and Art History student

Allows students access to

WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES and RESEARCH

* Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20 (based on all work and further study types). † Department for Education Graduate labour market statistics 2021, June 2022.

Further study FIRST-DEGREE GRADUATES FROM ALL SUBJECTS 2021/22

‘What do graduates do?’ 2021/22 https://luminate.prospects.ac.uk/what-do-graduates-do

‡

University jargon buster

Here are some of the phrases you’re likely to come across while researching universities and courses: Campus university – a university with all of the facilities and teaching spaces in one place rather than spread across the city. Alumni – students who have graduated with a degree; our graduates are University of Plymouth alumni. BA (Bachelor of Arts) – an undergraduate degree awarded for a course in an arts-related subject. BEd (Bachelor of Education) – an undergraduate degree awarded for a course in teaching. BSc (Bachelor of Science) – an undergraduate degree awarded for a course in a science-related subject. BEng (Bachelor of Engineering) – an undergraduate degree awarded in an engineering-related subject. Fresher – an informal name for a first-year student. Seminar – a discussion that takes place in a classroom setting in small groups. Faculty – a community of students, academics and other staff members who are grouped together for teaching, research and administrative purposes. School – each faculty is made up of schools which house a diverse range of courses. Semester – a university teaching term.

WE SUPPORT Student Hub

Heading off to uni is exciting, right? Your time there is a chance to discover who you are and build your network and community of friends, and for many of you it’s an opportunity to start living independently for the first time. Our Student Hub is on hand to help you navigate through this exciting, and sometimes daunting, chapter in your life with a friendly smile and the offer of some wellbeing and practical support.

DISABILITY SERVICES

PEER ASSISTED LEARNING SCHEME (PALS)

Find advice and guidance on disability, including help with study requirements and the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Take advantage of opportunities for enhanced learning in sessions led by students.

COUNSELLING

PASTORAL & SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

Professional counsellors can help you develop effective coping strategies and life skills for issues which may be affecting your time at university.

There is pastoral and spiritual support available to everyone on campus, whether you have a faith or just want to meet new people in a friendly social space.

LEARNING DEVELOPMENT We work with you to develop skills for learning, promote critical and creative thinking, and enable you to achieve your potential.

MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE Are you concerned about your mental health or the mental health of another student? Is your mental health impacting your life at university? Our friendly Mental Health Advisors offer 1:1 appointments as well as a daily drop in.

“For me the biggest thing that the University did to help students with mental health issues was the fact that all of the lecturers and support staff were very understanding towards it. It wasn’t stigmatised at all within the University and people were actively discussing it and encouraging people to seek help if needed.” Gaius, BSc (Hons) Physical Geography and Geology student

STUDENT FUNDING UNIT Advice on all aspects of student funding, from loans to financial support.

“My experience of the counselling sessions was great. It was very professional, I was able to access support quickly and the counsellors were all experienced. It really gave me a safe place to talk about what was going on and get some good advice!” Emma, BSc (Hons) Psychology student

“The first place I went for support with writing was the Writing Café, which is set in a laid-back coffee shop. The Writing Café is run by the Learning and Development team and has trained student writing mentors on hand to help students in a relaxed and friendly environment.” Julie, BSc (Hons) Dietetics student

“It’s really important to me in my role as the leader of the Student Hub team that we are able to provide a space where all students feel welcomed and comfortable to talk to us about anything. As a parent of a teenager myself, it brings me real comfort to know that my son will have this kind of support available to him when he heads off to university next year. The role and presence of an offering much like ours in Student Services is becoming ever more important to young people as they enter higher education. We are passionate about being a part of the student journey with you and we are on hand to help, wherever you are. The Hub is a bright, inclusive and welcoming space that has been designed with students in mind and we would love to see as many of you as possible when you arrive on campus.” Claire Chinnock, Student Services Operations Manager

The British Medical Association suggests we should all take action to support our wellbeing as it has numerous benefits, including greater self-confidence, improved quality of life and healthier behaviours. Simple ways to look after yourself include: getting into a good sleep routine being mindful of your surroundings and environment, from decluttering to getting fresh air doing the things you enjoy eating healthily and treating yourself occasionally taking exercise spending quality time with friends and family as well as on your own.

Student Hub

Find out more about the services and support we provide to our students and where to go if you need help or advice.

WE EXPLORE

We may not be the biggest city, but Plymouth certainly has its own unique culture.

“Rame Head in Cornwall is one of my favourite places to go next to Plymouth. You can either walk there along the coast from Plymouth, or drive/get a bus. I have seen a number of sunrises at this place, and every time, it is so different. In the quiet mornings, finding yourself alone (or with your best friends), surrounded by deer and horses, listening to birds while the sun comes up from the ocean on your left, there’s a true sense of magic. You could probably come here every day and each time will bring a different experience.” Louise BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology student

“The Barbican is a new favourite place of mine, not only because of the amazing views but because it has history attached to it, which I loved discovering. It is also a great spot for late night walks when you just want to think.” Jessica BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations student

“Whether it be for transport, fun or exercise, I’ve always incorporated cycling into my lifestyle and I’m eager to push it further here in the South West. My favourite observation around here is the diversity of terrain in such a closeknit yet open-air region. You quickly move from muddy moors to clean,

clear coastlines with ease… I’m pretty certain that the beautiful riding experiences in and around the city are in my top five memories as an undergraduate student here.” Xavier BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability student

23 23

From the city that’s alive with the spirit of discovery to the breathtaking landscapes of the coastline and countryside, the South West is a region that lives up to its reputation as a place to live the lifestyle you want. Find out more:

“Plymouth is so beautiful – it’s very difficult to choose one favourite place as most places I absolutely love! The top locations for me are the seafront, Sutton Harbour and Devil’s Point because being by the sea is actually the best thing ever! I love going to watch the sunrise by the sea as it’s just so tranquil and such a great start to the day!” Christina BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science student

“The great thing about studying in Plymouth is that you can see the sea pretty much all the time! One of my favourite things after a stressful week is to walk to the Barbican for fish and chips, which you can follow up with a hot chocolate sitting on the Hoe.” Sumbel Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery student

WE CAMPAIGN WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENVIRONMENT, WE KNOW THAT EVERY CONTRIBUTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE. We’re proud to have won awards for our eco-initiatives and have established ourselves as a leading university for sustainability. The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings show how universities are working towards the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have maintained our position as one of the world’s top five universities for marine research and teaching in relation to SDG 14: Life Below Water, ranking 4th out of more than 450 universities for the quality of our marine research and teaching and our efforts to reduce the impact of campus activities on the marine environment. We were also ranked 15th worldwide for SDG 13: Climate Action, recognising our work to drive climate innovation, reduce energy use across our campuses and preparing to deal with the consequences of climate change.

Three big goals 1. 2.

To have a sustainable campus.

T o discover solutions to the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

T o motivate the next generation of students to tackle the sustainability challenges they’ll find in their workplace.

Discover our sustainability credentials:

Small things we’re doing to make a big difference FD iscounts on hot drinks at our cafés when you use a reusable cup. FM ore than a dozen water refill points across campus to encourage the use of reusable water bottles. FW e’ve reduced CO2 emissions by 54% since 1990, and aim to achieve net zero emissions from direct emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 2025. F Our Students’ Union runs frequent beach clean volunteering trips. F Encouraging biodiversity on campus with our green spaces. F The University of Plymouth Beekeeping Group manages our apiary on campus for British Black Bees (Apis mellifera mellifera). F Dedicated to developing a sustainable food culture at the University, we work with local food partners to increase the demand and supply of seasonal, local and organic food. FW e have the highest rating achievable from the Sustainable Restaurant Association for our campus eateries. F We had 59% of waste recycled in 2020–21.

SAVING OUR SEAS FROM PLASTIC Richard Thompson, Professor of Marine Biology and Director of the University’s Marine Institute, continues to set the international agenda on research into the causes and effects of marine litter. Under Richard’s leadership, Plymouth has produced more scientific publications on the subject of marine plastic than any other university worldwide, with Richard himself having led or co-authored more than 180 scientific papers.

“The work we have done at the University has had a really major role in raising awareness of this topic. There are a number of independent accounts that cite the early work we did...which was a tipping point in the level of interest in the whole topic in the academic community and wider public.” Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

Where will

YOUR DEGREE TAKE YOU? The Careers Service is here to help you no matter what year or course you are studying. We offer impartial information, advice, guidance and a vast array of opportunities to ensure you are fully prepared for a fulfilling career after you graduate. We have a lot of opportunities and resources to support you, as detailed on the following pages.

This Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Quality Standard recognises the high standards of professional delivery, conduct and good practice of the Careers Service.

Events Across the year we have a number of events, enabling you to: • meet a wide range of professionals and employers • broaden your horizons and explore career opportunities • develop important transferable employability skills • secure part-time, placement, graduate and work experience roles. We have a range of events for you to get involved with, including a part-time jobs week, a placements and graduate recruitment fair, employer insight panels, business competitions, employer workshops, and much more. We look forward to welcoming you to our events.

Mentoring Did you know the University has many mentoring schemes to support you on your career journey? Check out how these can give you an insight into industry, pair you with a professional, and enable you to increase your employability and personal skills.

Placement and work experience Undertaking a placement as part of your course, or gaining other work experience while at university, will greatly improve your chances of achieving the graduate role that you want. The Placements team can help you with

all of this, including how to improve your CV and ace an interview. There are a number of opportunities to gain work experience through our emerging micro-internships programme of up to two weeks within the work environment. Careers education and activities are embedded as part of your academic course. Our careers consultants work in partnership with your lecturers to design and deliver tailored career development activities within your course. These range from talks, workshops and competitions, helping you to bring your future into focus as you study… make sure you take advantage of them! We have also created ‘Where your degree can take you’ web pages, which help you identify skills, employers and activities to enhance

“The mentoring programme has been invaluable for me, and my mentor Steph was a perfect match. In March, Steph took me to Oceanology International and introduced me to people in the industry. This helped with my confidence and networking skills, and without the mentoring programme I wouldn’t have had this amazing opportunity!” Eloise, BSc (Hons) Marine Science student

your degree experience and future employment:

myCareer As a student, and for as long as you need it after you graduate, you have access to myCareer, our innovative online system, supporting you to develop your skills and career. This gives you the chance to find part-time, placement and graduate vacancies, book onto workshops, webinars and career fairs and find 1:1 appointments with our career consultants and employability advisors.

Get in touch! Follow us on ,  or  @uniplymcareers Email careers@ plymouth.ac.uk, call +44 (0)1752 587456 or visit plymouth.ac.uk/careers for more information.

Digital resources myCareer digital resources has a whole host of activities, tools and videos which can help you build your employability skills. Using this, you can: • get instant CV feedback using CV360 • understand the interview process, take mock interviews and get advice from employer videos using our interview simulator • use our psychometric and aptitude tests to practise some of the most commonly used assessments to improve your chance of performing well in the real thing.

“I could not recommend the mentoring schemes and networking opportunities enough. They have given me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and understand the value I could add to a business – in addition to really enjoying myself in the process.” Katherine, BSc (Hons) Business Management student

THINGS I WISH I KNEW IN MY FIRST YEAR OF UNIVERSITY by Student Information Assistant, Kiara Boobyer The first year of university is the year where you learn the most, not necessarily in terms of content of your degree but in terms of life skills and living alone. These tips are designed to help first-year students make the most of their time as a fresher.

1. TA K E A DVA N TAG E OF THE ADDED E X T R A S T H AT T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O FFE R S This includes the Careers Service, library resources, societies, events and competitions. The University is so much more than just the degree, it comes as a package deal – but not all students take advantage of this. The resources and opportunities on offer are endless and you should explore a wider variety even if they’re not directly relevant to your degree.

2 M A I N TA I N A WO R K- LI FE B A L A N C E You are here to get a degree, but that doesn’t mean you’re not here to enjoy yourself. Maintaining a work-life balance is indeed a skill that a lot of students struggle with, but learning this early on can enhance not only your university life, but your career journey too. Schedule your breaks, explore classes on offer, join clubs or dedicate time in your diary for other things you enjoy such as books, exercise, or meditation.

4 K E E P O N TO P O F YO U R WO R K LOA D A little bit a day goes a long way, even if it is only 30 minutes. Putting aside this time reduces the stress and demand that is put on deadlines, allowing you to have a healthy relationship with revision during the exam period and assignment submissions.

5 B U DG E T, B U DG E T, B U DG E T 3 G OOG L E C A L E N DA R I S YO U R B E S T FR I E N D We all need some sort of schedule and routine at university, even if it does change last minute sometimes! Keeping on top of your workload can be difficult but planning will help you balance this, as well as your social life!

Having the freedom to buy what you want is a privilege. You don’t have to buy it all to have it all. Learning to live on a budget is all part of adult life, even if you are living off a loan. Don’t forget that the loan has to last you all summer too! Learn how to budget to avoid unnecessary stress.

6 A LLOW YO U R C A R E E R PAT H TO CHANGE

8 PL A N A H E A D Your time at university is limited, so planning is a must! Use your holidays and time off to complete work experience or take on different projects alongside your studies to make yourself stand out from others. Internships are often advertised months ahead and applying for work experience can take weeks or months to arrange so thinking ahead is important.

The average person changes their job every five years. Therefore, just because you choose a career path at school, doesn’t mean you won’t change your mind once exposed to a wider variety of options and opportunities. Changing courses is not the end of the world – now is your time to make these decisions and have no regrets. If you are considering whether the course is right for you book a careers guidance session to chat about your options.

7 UNIVERSIT Y I S N ’ T A LWAYS W H AT I T ’ S M A D E O U T TO B E It’s not all about partying. The workload is demanding, and deadlines are strict and mentally challenging. The concept of university is to push yourself and try new things. Having a mentor is a great way to help you throughout your degree and to help with the transition from being a student to being in a work environment.

10 GA I N WO R K E X PE R I E N C E

9 LE A R N H OW TO R E FE R E N C E N OW If you know it, you know it, if you don’t, you don’t. Do that hard bit now and you’ll thank yourself later! The key is to practise and ask for feedback on all your work so you can gain a good understanding now before your workload builds up.

It is continuously repeated during your time at university that experience is extremely desirable to employers. Whether it’s a parttime job, related or unrelated to your degree, experience within a working environment is beneficial to gain soft skills that can be transferred across all industries. Explore opportunities on the jobs board on myCareer and take advantage of the 1:1 support that is available in an information and advice session.

YOU’RE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK! We are well connected by road and rail to the rest of the country, so it’s easy to get here to start your journey of a lifetime. By rail Plymouth railway station is just a few minutes’ walk from the campus. The regular train service from London Paddington to Plymouth takes around three to four hours. Other direct train services head to Plymouth from across the South West, South Wales, the Midlands, and the North of England. By coach Plymouth Coach Station in the city centre is about ten minutes’ walk from the campus. There are regular coach services from most major cities to Plymouth. A typical coach journey from London Victoria to Plymouth takes around six to seven hours. By car Plymouth is easily reached by following the M5 motorway and then continuing on the A38 Expressway at Exeter. It takes about four and a half hours from London to Plymouth. Sat nav ref: PL4 8AA.

Leeds s 5 hours 15 min

gham Nottin 15 mins 4 hours

ingham Birrsm 30 mins 3 hou

2 hours 45 mins

Newquay

ristol B 2 hours 15 mins

Lond30on mins 4 hours

1 hour

1 hour 15 mins

Plymouth

Approximate

car journey tim

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