About the university
Arts University Plymouth (AUP) is a small specialist arts university in the centre of Plymouth, on the south-west coast of England. It began as Plymouth Drawing School in 1856 and teaches practice-based courses in fine art, illustration, graphic design, fashion, textiles, film, photography and game arts. The campus also houses Fab Lab South West, Plymouth Arts Cinema and the MIRROR public gallery.
For Indian students AUP offers one flat international fee for 2027/28: £18,000 a year for BA (Hons) degrees and for one-year full-time MAs. Entry needs 60% in Class 12 for a BA or a bachelor's equal to a UK 2:2 for an MA, plus a digital portfolio. Merit scholarships of £2,000 to £3,500 are available for first-year international students.
- Founded
- 1856, as Plymouth Drawing School
- Type
- Public specialist arts university
- Campus
- City-centre campus on Tavistock Place with more than 13,000 square metres of studios and workshops
- Courses
- 14 BA (Hons) degrees and 10 MA courses in art, design, craft and digital media
- Course length
- BA 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year); MA 1 year full time
- Student satisfaction
- 6th in the UK for student satisfaction, Complete University Guide 2027 (university's About page)
Rankings
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
119th of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Game Arts & Animation
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year)
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year)
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year)
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year)
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year)
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time (2 years part time)
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- September (start of the academic year)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Game Arts & Animation | 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year) | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
| BA (Hons) Graphic Design | 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year) | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
| BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts | 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year) | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
| BA (Hons) Fashion Design | 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year) | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
| BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing | 3 years full time (4 with Integrated Foundation Year) | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
| MA Immersive Media | 1 year full time (2 years part time) | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
| MA Design (Communication) | 1 year full time | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
| MA Design (Fashion) | 1 year full time | £18,000 | ≈ ₹22 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Arts University Plymouth with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- First-year undergraduate and postgraduate international entrants
Creative Scholarships
Value: Up to £2,000 off tuition
Eligibility: Awarded on merit by a panel. Applicants who submit a portfolio are considered automatically and contacted if successful.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - First-year full-time BA (Hons)
Pro-Vice-Chancellor's Creative Excellence Award
Value: £2,500 (two awards)
Eligibility: Competitive application with a portfolio and a statement of up to 500 words.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Full-time one-year MA
Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award
Value: £3,500
Eligibility: Competitive application with a portfolio and a statement of up to 500 words, selected by a panel.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 (Standard XII) with a 60% average for a BA (Hons); 50% for the Foundation Diploma.
- Apply through UCAS (some direct applications are accepted), then submit a digital portfolio.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree from a recognised university equal to a UK 2:2.
- Apply directly to AUP; creative practice and experience are also considered at interview.
- A non-refundable £2,000 deposit is needed before AUP issues a CAS, and the rest of the fee is due in full at enrolment (no instalment plans).
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Degree certificate and transcripts (for MA)
- Digital portfolio of creative work
- English test score, or CBSE/CISCE Class 12 English at 75%
- Personal statement
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (BA) | 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (2025/26 entry requirements page) |
| IELTS (MA) | 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic UKVI | 50 overall with 50 in each section |
| TOEFL iBT | BA: 4 overall (no element below 3.5). MA: 4.5 overall (no element below 4). |
| Indian Class 12 English | 75% in English Language from CBSE or CISCE only |
Accommodation and living costs
AUP has no halls of its own. It recommends private halls run by Homes for Students (The Old Dairy, Frobisher House, Cross House) and lists other providers such as Yugo, iQ and Capitol Students. Contracts often run for up to 43 weeks, and some halls offer a 'no visa, no pay' policy for international students. AUP does not publish rent figures.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|
Campus and location
AUP's city-centre campus on Tavistock Place has more than 13,000 square metres of studios and workshops.
- Fab Lab South West digital fabrication workshop.
- Plymouth Arts Cinema on campus.
- MIRROR, a public gallery for contemporary visual art.
- Centre for Circular Materials, part of its focus on sustainability.
Careers and graduate outcomes
AUP says its curriculum is shaped by practitioners and industry partners. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much are AUP's fees for Indian students?
For 2027/28, international fees are £18,000 a year for BA (Hons) degrees and £18,000 for a one-year full-time MA. A £2,000 deposit is needed before a CAS.
Can I use my Class 12 English marks?
Yes, if you studied CBSE or CISCE and scored 75% in English Language. Other boards need an English test such as IELTS.
Do I need a portfolio?
Yes. After applying you submit a digital portfolio of creative work. AUP gives step-by-step guidance.
Does AUP offer scholarships?
Yes. Creative Scholarships of up to £2,000, a £2,500 award for BA students and a £3,500 award for MA students, all for first-year international entrants.
Sources
- Arts University Plymouth: International Fees & Funding (opens in a new tab)
- Arts University Plymouth: India entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Arts University Plymouth: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Arts University Plymouth: courses (opens in a new tab)
- Arts University Plymouth: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- Arts University Plymouth: About us (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.aup.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
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