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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

University of Plymouth

55 replies

thetailorofgloucester · 08/02/2023 11:14

My DS has an offer to study Oceanography and Coastal Processes at Plymouth. He will be going to the offer holder day this month but has anyone got any insights about the course and living in Plymouth as a student?

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Original poster
thetailorofgloucester · 08/02/2023 11:16

I should add that I do know Plymouth having grown up in Cornwall and this has informed my personal (rather negative) bias.

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TizerorFizz · 09/02/2023 00:18

My friends DD is there. Doing that course! She likes it but prefers her boyfriend. Student life revolves around him. I would think somewhere like Southampton or Liverpool would be better if he has the grades. If he doesn’t, Plymouth is good. Is he intending to come home all the time? Are his friends going there? Plymouth is very near Cornwall and maybe a safe, academically ok but somewhat uninspiring choice?

Original poster
thetailorofgloucester · 09/02/2023 09:18

Thanks. Southampton is his preferred option. He is thinking about Plymouth as insurance. The course specification for Plymouth looks excellent and the tutors talk about their joy of teaching as well as research which is a positive for undergraduates IMO. The faculty has won more research funding and recent financial statements suggest the uni is financially stable.

We have loads of family on both sides of the Tamar so he has options for visits if he wants to.
It's just the city centre is rather bleak with a dodgy vibe in the evenings.

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TizerorFizz · 09/02/2023 14:43

@thetailorofgloucester
I think that if students go out together and get a taxi home they are safe. The DD I know seems ok with life there. It’s a navel city, like Portsmouth, and a bit rough in places. You will find that pretty much everywhere so students who are new to a city always need antennae. It’s surely unusual for students to be harmed though?

If it’s insurance, is there enough housing/halls for insurance students? That’s a big issue these days.

Beachsidesunset · 09/02/2023 14:45

Plymouth is 'near' Cornwall? Not if you're Cornish GrinGrinGrin

Oblomov23 · 09/02/2023 14:46

Plymouth has a superb reputation for this subject.

GinBlossom94 · 09/02/2023 14:50

Plymouth is a dump, none of my DCs friends are attending uni here, they can't wait to get away. The city centre is terribly run down and crime is skyrocketing

Original poster
thetailorofgloucester · 09/02/2023 16:45

GinBlossom94 · 09/02/2023 14:50

Plymouth is a dump, none of my DCs friends are attending uni here, they can't wait to get away. The city centre is terribly run down and crime is skyrocketing

Yes, that's my opinion too. I think it has always had that reputation and I wonder (hope???) if student life might insulate one from some of it if you socialise with your tribe on campus etc.

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TizerorFizz · 09/02/2023 18:06

Plymouth is nearer than Bristol or Nottingham! Cornwall has Falmouth. That’s it. So Plymouth is the next nearest. Or Exeter if you are north Cornwall.
If students don’t go off campus, surely life is limited? What about accommodation in years 2 and 3? It’s inevitable the students are in Plymouth itself.

GinBlossom94 · 09/02/2023 20:06

@thetailorofgloucester so much of the city centre is aimed at students now, especially the bars/clubs etc. I be older teens and tbh I'm glad they don't go out in town at the weekends

Lulu1919 · 09/02/2023 20:24

My daughter studied there
She turned down offers from RG universities as she felt comfortable there and the course was good ....she had a fab three years and got a first ,she then went in to do a PGCE and is now teaching !

Verite1 · 09/02/2023 20:27

My friends DD is there. Seems to be enjoying it as far as I can tell.

Checkthemeaning · 09/02/2023 20:28

I live in Plymouth and have done for 30 years. Like any city, it has its good and bad points. But it's extremely safe and has a great student community.

It's not the most aesthetically pleasing in places but I can go to the moors or the sea within 20 minutes. Plus Cornwall is a short bridge ride away.

Original poster
thetailorofgloucester · 09/02/2023 20:29

Lulu1919 · 09/02/2023 20:24

My daughter studied there
She turned down offers from RG universities as she felt comfortable there and the course was good ....she had a fab three years and got a first ,she then went in to do a PGCE and is now teaching !

Your daughter sounds impressive. That's really good to hear.

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Reinventinganna · 09/02/2023 20:40

My ds is at Plymouth and loving it. I had the same thoughts as you but it seems that overall Plymouth is better than it was in the past.

SorrelForbes · 09/02/2023 20:51

I lived in Plymouth for 20+ years and saw it decline. However, I now live in Hampshire and I can honestly say that I find parts of Southampton way dodgier!

pastypirate · 09/02/2023 21:12

I went to Plymouth uni. Not for this subject but I know UOP is v good for marine related subjects and I have friends who lecture.
It's a mixed bag though.

Pluses -

It's a proper campus uni which is right in the city centre not out of town. There's loads of accommodation purpose built as well as a huge Victorian housing stock of student digs. All walking distance from the uni buildings. You could cope quite well in Guz with no car it's all in a square mile. Plymouth isn't that expensive. Plymouth has loads of moors and beaches etc within a couple of miles. Crime is relatively low.

Minuses -
It's not the most cosmopolitan city and the shopping and nightlife isn't that great. It's a bit run down in places and it's small. It's quite far away from anywhere.

Lived here since 2006.

TizerorFizz · 10/02/2023 09:13

Where else did dc apply to? Other than Southampton. What job does he want? I wouldn’t turn down RG if it mattered for his career. It doesn’t matter for teaching. Has he applied for identical courses everywhere? Few universities offer it.

Original poster
thetailorofgloucester · 13/02/2023 09:52

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful comments. I know Plymouth has an excellent reputation for the subject (top in impact rankings in the Times World Uni guide) and has good links with industry for the sector my DS wants to go into.

I was more concerned about the city itself. My DS is not one for the nightlife and clubbing so it could be a good fit. The offer holder day will be helpful. I'm very impressed with their communication about the day. They have negotiated discounts with local hotels, free bus travel and a travel bursary of £40.

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TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 12:49

I’ve known Dc who never went out at home (where would you go in Cornwall) but university really is different! There is alcohol, fun snd new friends. Life opens up. Would he really stay for weeks on end at a campus?

Original poster
thetailorofgloucester · 13/02/2023 13:33

TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 12:49

I’ve known Dc who never went out at home (where would you go in Cornwall) but university really is different! There is alcohol, fun snd new friends. Life opens up. Would he really stay for weeks on end at a campus?

Of course, I'm not saying he would be a recluse staying on campus. What I mean is he is not so concerned about needing a bustling metropolis. He is happy to go to the theatre, cinema and go around to his mates. We are not in Cornwall, we live in a busy area within commuting distance of London so although he has had plenty of opportunity to go clubbing etc he has chosen not to. I'm hoping he will find a group of like-minded friends to socialise and go out with.

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TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 13:39

@thetailorofgloucester
Apologies. I see it’s you who grew up in Cornwall. I thought it was DS. I still think it’s a bit limiting but if he’s got London life nearby, maybe it won’t matter.

UsingChangeofName · 19/02/2023 19:08

It's just the city centre is rather bleak with a dodgy vibe in the evenings.

eh ?

My dc likes Plymouth, but it is definitely a lot quieter and calmer than many City Centres. They are glad they can come home for a bit more of a livelier vibe in the holidays.
All Cities have 'bleaker' areas, and areas you might not seek out. I am not sure Plymouth ranks up there with a bad city vibe. Like all Cities, there are also some lovely areas.

Booooot · 19/02/2023 19:17

I’ve done 3 degrees at plymouth! Never actually did one as a teenager living on campus though so not sure on that front but many of my friends loved it there.

RedCarsGoFaster · 19/02/2023 19:46

Plymouth is a lot better than it used to be as a city - lots of gentrification work ongoing at the moment, so it's definitely not as bleak as it used to be. The Barbican is still thriving, the new Barcode is great for non-drinking options for evening entertainment. The uni has lots of clubs and societies. Plenty of options as a student for non-alcohol related activities these days.

It's fairly safe in Plymouth even of an evening, although we've had some high profile cases in the last few years which were a bit of a shock. However for balance, I went to university in Portsmouth 2001-2004 and found my front door was inside a police cordon on 3 occasions - for a murder, an attempted murder and a rape, so I guess it can happen anywhere.....

I'd say that the most important thing is for the student to like the campus. I remember going to Bristol, Glamorgan and Portsmouth for open days and only liking Pompey. And I was a lass from the arse end of West Cornwall, so the Big City Lights were definitely a thing, but so was a view of the sea!

Do the open days, see how he feels.