So you’re coming to Plymouth in September; congratulations! Well done on securing your place, we can’t wait to welcome you to campus.

You might be wondering what to expect, what’s on campus, what you can do in Plymouth and what student life is like generally. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you find your feet.

As your Students’ Union, we’re here to help you. If you feel stuck or don’t know what to do, please reach out. Send us a DM or join our WhatsApp Community and someone will get back to you as soon as they can.

What Is University of Plymouth Students’ Union (UPSU)?

The Students’ Union (SU) is here to represent you, support you, and facilitate a fun uni experience. We’re separate from the University and exist as an independent and impartial third party.

How we help: there are lots of things we do to help you through the year, to give you some examples:

• Working with our elected team of 26/27 Presidents, plus School Reps and Course Reps, we represent you and your voice
• We put on a varied calendar of events throughout the year from Freshers Week to Summer Ball
• We offer free, impartial advice and support on a range of issues that may affect you during your time here
• We support a huge variety of Student Societies and Sports Clubs
• We provide employment opportunities to students through the year; keep an eye on our social media to be the first to hear when we’re hiring

Where to find us: the main SU building is located between the Library and Davey buildings. You can access the SU from the North or South entrances. Inside, you’ll find the Bar and a variety of student spaces like the Hive and Lounge.

On the roof, there’s our SU Shop where you can buy food, drinks, stationery, Plym Uni merch, and more! If you head to Endsleigh Place, you’ll find the entrance to our SU Gym. The gym provides affordable gym membership to all our students, so don’t forget to sign up today!

When we’re open: Most of the year, we’re open 9am – late, we shut on Sundays. During special events, like Freshers, those times may vary.

We’ll always let you know about different opening times or arranged closures, so keep up with us on socials for all the important info.

What Is Available On Plymouth University’s Campus?

We are a campus uni; that means everything you need is in one place. Outside of The SU, you’ll find our Library; Level 0 is open 24/7 for you to study, read, or work at a time that suits you. Your lecture buildings will depend on which course you’re studying, and these should be clearly outlined in your timetable.

You’ll be given more information about your timetable, relevant buildings, and lectures during your induction period.

Here’s an up-to-date map, in case you haven’t already seen it:

As we’ve already mentioned, there’s the SU Shop and Gym which are affordably priced for students. On top of this, we’ve got a whole host of cafés, serving a variety of food options. Read more about Plymouth University Campus Cafés here.

How To Find Plymouth University Campus:

How to find the University: being in the heart of the city, you can access our campus in a few ways. On foot, we are a 10-minute walk from the city centre and a 15 minute walk from Mutley Plain.

Plymouth Train Station is a 5-10 minute walk away.

There are several bus routes that stop on Coburg Street and North Hill, giving you direct access to campus; we recommend using the CityBus journey planner to check which is the best for you.

We also have plenty of bike racks across campus if you choose to cycle in.

We don’t have parking available on-site, however there are local Park & Ride car parks with regular bus services to the city centre.

Student Accommodation in Plymouth

If you’re in Halls this year, you will be sent all the necessary information directly from the University. As they are responsible for Halls, they are the best people to contact if you have any questions or concerns before you move in.

Once you’re moved in, if you have serious concerns or complaints about your Halls, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If it’s affecting your wellbeing, you can use our free and impartial Advice service.

If you’re in private rented accommodation, like a shared house in the city, please make sure you know your renters’ rights. There were some big changes made to the law earlier this year, and there are things in place to protect you while renting.

Each year, we have a student accommodation fair in The SU building. This is a great chance to speak to many different accommodation providers in the city before you make any decisions about the year ahead. This year, it will be held from October onwards, so make sure you come along! 

University of Plymouth Freshers Week 2026

Freshers is a full-on week of events to help you meet people and settle into university. We’ve got a packed calendar of Freshers events at UPSU.

Our advice is to attend as many as possible; whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, drinker, sober-curious, party hard or prefer home life, there’s an event for you. Everyone is in the same boat when they arrive at uni for the first time. You don’t know anyone, it’s an unfamiliar environment, and you’re bombarded with a lot of new information. That’s why it’s vital to put yourself out there and make friends with people who get it. Some of the people you meet in Freshers Week will be your friends for life!

With three unis in the city, we have a lot of students and our nightlife reflects that. It’s important to know that there’s plenty going on in the daytime during Freshers, too. From our Campus Markets – which bring brilliant local businesses to uni for you to enjoy food, drink, crafts and gifts – to our Sports Fair and Societies Fair – giving you the chance to meet different student groups and decide if you’d like to join one – you don’t have to party to kick-start your uni experience.  

For a full calendar of events, venue and timing details, and last-minute notices, make sure to follow UPSU on Instagram! This is where we will keep you up to date with everything happening in Freshers Week 2026.