The University of Plymouth, a public university in the centre of the port city of Plymouth in south-west England, is known for marine science and oceanography, marine engineering, computing, business and medicine. A Russian school certificate on its own does not admit you to year one: the university requires a recognised foundation, and the usual option is the University of Plymouth International College (UPIC), run by Navitas on campus, at $18,530–22,170 (£14,000–16,750) in 2026/27. BSc Computer Science costs international students starting in 2027/28 $26,200 (£19,800) a year, and under its 2026/27 terms the automatic Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship took up to $7,940 (£6,000) off a bachelor's degree; the university decides each award.
Plymouth has two other, unrelated universities: Plymouth Marjon University and Arts University Plymouth. Each has its own courses, fees and admissions.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Plymouth, Devon, England; city-centre campus |
| Known for | marine science and oceanography, marine engineering, computing, business, medicine and health |
| Route from an 11-year school | foundation at UPIC (Navitas), two semesters |
| Foundation, 2026/27 | $18,530–22,170 (£14,000–16,750); health stream $26,140 (£19,750) over three semesters |
| Bachelor's, 2027/28 | e.g. BSc Computer Science: $26,200 (£19,800) a year |
| Master's, 2027/28 | e.g. MSc Data Science and Business Analytics: $28,650 (£21,650) |
| Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship | bachelor's: £4,000 + £1,000 + £1,000; master's: £4,000 |
| Halls, 2026/27 | $190–310 (£141–233) a week |
Who Plymouth suits
| Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|
| Marine science, oceanography and marine engineering in a working port city | A long way from London; the journey takes several hours |
| An automatic discount spread over three undergraduate years | No year-one entry with the attestat alone |
| A pathway college on the campus | The college is a separate provider (Navitas) |
| A room in halls for first-years who make Plymouth their firm choice | Only if the housing application is in by 4 July 2027 |
| 2027/28 fees already published on course pages | Undergraduate fees are higher than at some neighbouring universities |
Plymouth fits applicants drawn to the sea, oceans, marine engineering and logistics, or anyone who wants a calm coastal city at a mid-range English price. If Russell Group status matters, the University of Exeter in the same county is the obvious comparison. The full list is on our study in the UK page, and our guide to UK universities for international students explains the main groups of universities.
After 11 years of school: the International College
Plymouth's Russia page is explicit: the Russian school certificate must be combined with a recognised foundation. The University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) is on campus but run by Navitas, with its own contract, payments and entry rules.
| UPIC course, 2026/27 | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation: business and management; tourism and hospitality | 2 semesters | $18,530 (£14,000) |
| Foundation: architecture and construction, biosciences, computing, environment, engineering and robotics, international relations, law, marine science | 2 semesters | $22,170 (£16,750) |
| Foundation Plus | 2 semesters | $22,170 (£16,750) |
| Foundation: health and human sciences | 3 semesters | $26,140 (£19,750) |
| First year of a bachelor's at the college | one year | $23,490 (£17,750) |
| Pre-Master's | 1 semester | $10,520 (£7,950) |
Students who need more English can take a pre-sessional course at UPIC: six weeks for £2,475, eight weeks for £3,275 or eleven weeks online for £4,375 (2026 prices). Our foundation year guide compares the foundation route with A-levels.
Undergraduate fees and applications
Example: BSc (Hons) Computer Science costs international students $25,410 (£19,200) a year in 2026/27 and $26,200 (£19,800) for 2027/28 entry. An optional placement year is charged separately, for 2027/28 starters $1,990 (£1,507) abroad and $2,660 (£2,010) in the UK; the course offers a 48-week industry placement.
International applicants apply through UCAS or through one of the university's official representatives in their country. The UCAS equal-consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027, and the personal statement should be written for the chosen course; see applying to UK universities.
Plymouth warns about scammers on social media and messaging apps who claim to act for the university and offer to arrange a CAS and a visa. The university's website lists its genuine representatives by country.
Master's degrees
Plymouth accepts a Magister, a post-1991 Specialist Diploma or a post-2009 Bakalavr for master's entry, and maps Russian grades as follows: an average of 5 ("excellent") equals a UK first, 4 ("good") a 2:1 and 3 ("satisfactory") a 2:2. Example: MSc Data Science and Business Analytics asks for at least a 2:2 in any discipline plus basic computer skills, and IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each skill. International fees are $27,790 (£21,000) in 2026/27 and $28,650 (£21,650) in 2027/28. Some master's courses, such as International Business, can start in January.
Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship: for 2026/27 starters, $5,290 (£4,000) in year one and $1,320 (£1,000) in each of years two and three, up to $7,940 (£6,000) including four-year courses. It is applied automatically if you meet the academic and English entry requirements and pay international fees.
- International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship: $5,290 (£4,000) off the first year of a taught master's, also automatic once offer conditions are met.
The university applies the discount; no separate form is needed, and 2027/28 terms appear on the scholarship pages. See scholarships in the UK for external funding.
Halls of residence
Plymouth offers a room in halls, either university-managed or with an accredited private provider, to new undergraduates who make Plymouth their firm first choice, complete every part of their application and apply for housing by 17:00 on 4 July 2027. The room is single occupancy, while the building and room type are allocated by the university. Students aged 16–17 need an adult over 18 to co-sign the tenancy and are advised to book an en-suite room in a single-sex flat.
| Location and room, 2026/27 | Weekly rent |
|---|---|
| Student Village, shared facilities | $190 (£141) |
| Student Village, shared or en-suite | $190–250 (£141–188) |
| Campus, en-suite | $280–310 (£209.50–233) |
| Student Village, en-suite | $280–300 (£209.50–230) |
Rents include bills, Wi-Fi and contents insurance. Catered halls offer a prepaid 34-week package with breakfast and dinner on weekdays. See our student housing guide.
Deposit, money and payment
After you meet academic conditions and evidence your finances, Plymouth asks for a $4,630 (£3,500) tuition deposit, after which you can request the CAS. For the visa you show £1,171 a month for nine months, $13,950 (£10,539), rising to $14,330 (£10,827) for applications from 30 November 2026, plus unpaid tuition. Lawful payment routes from Russia are covered in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Student visa and post-study work
- Plymouth is a licensed Student visa sponsor and checks previous study and immigration history as well as grades.
- Visa fee $740 (£558); Immigration Health Surcharge $1,030 (£776) per year of leave.
- Funds held for 28 consecutive days, statement no older than 31 days.
- Residents of Russia and Kazakhstan need a tuberculosis test at a GOV.UK-listed clinic.
- Foundation students need a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI; see English tests for a UK student visa.
- The Graduate visa lasts 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.
UK Visas and Immigration decides the visa. See the UK student visa and Graduate Route guides.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the University of Plymouth with Plymouth Marjon University or Arts University Plymouth.
- Applying to year one with the attestat alone, when the university requires a foundation.
- Trusting "agents" on messaging apps who offer to arrange a CAS and a visa; official representatives are listed on the university's site.
- Missing 4 July 2027: later housing applications are handled under general rules.
- Relying on aggregator prices: the official 2027/28 fee for MSc Data Science and Business Analytics is £21,650, not the £17,100 quoted by some directories.
Timeline for autumn 2027
- October–December 2026: choose a foundation stream and sit IELTS for UKVI.
- By 13 January 2027: A-level or IB holders apply through UCAS; attestat holders apply to UPIC.
- Spring 2027: accept the offer, meet the conditions and pay the deposit.
- By 4 July 2027: apply for halls.
- Summer 2027: funds for 28 days, TB test, CAS and visa; the foundation starts in September 2027.
FAQ
Can I enter the University of Plymouth after 11 years of school?
Not straight into a bachelor's: the university requires a recognised foundation alongside the attestat. Most applicants take the foundation at the University of Plymouth International College on campus, and the University of Plymouth decides on progression to year one.
How much does the University of Plymouth cost?
BSc Computer Science costs international students $26,200 (£19,800) a year for 2027/28 entry, and MSc Data Science and Business Analytics costs $28,650 (£21,650). A two-semester UPIC foundation costs $18,530–22,170 in 2026/27.
What discounts do international students get?
Undergraduates receive the Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship of £4,000 in year one and £1,000 in each of the next two years, up to £6,000. Master's students receive £4,000 off year one. Both are automatic, and the university decides eligibility.
How is the University of Plymouth different from Plymouth Marjon and Arts University Plymouth?
They are three separate universities in one city. The University of Plymouth is the large university with marine science, engineering and medicine; Plymouth Marjon University and Arts University Plymouth run their own courses, fees and admissions.
Do international first-years get a room in halls?
Under the 2027/28 rules the university offers a single room to new undergraduates who make Plymouth their firm first choice, complete every part of the application and apply for housing by 4 July 2027. Its accommodation service decides the building and room type; 2026/27 rents run from £141 to £233 a week.
How are Russian grades converted?
The university publishes the mapping: an average of 5 equals a first, 4 a 2:1 and 3 a 2:2. Whether a particular degree meets a course's requirements is decided by the University of Plymouth admissions team.
Sources
- University of Plymouth: applying from Russia
- Applying for an undergraduate course (UCAS, agents, deposit, CAS)
- BSc (Hons) Computer Science: 2026/27 and 2027/28 fees, MSc Data Science and Business Analytics, MSc International Business
- UPIC (Navitas): 2026/27 fees
- Welcome to Plymouth, undergraduate, postgraduate
- Halls and 2026/27 rents, applying for halls
- UCAS: 2027 deadlines
- GOV.UK: Student visa, money, HC 584, IHS, Graduate visa, SELT, TB testing in Russia
Amounts are converted at the ECB reference rates of 1 October 2026 (£1 = $1.3234) and rounded to $10. Data checked on 1 October 2026.
If you want to work through your route, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Cranfield University: Postgraduate Admission, 2027/28 Fees and Scholarships
- University of Essex: Admission, Fees and Scholarships for 2027
- Studying in the UK for international applicants
- Foundation Year in the UK: Types, Entry Requirements, Costs and Progression
- Scholarships in the UK in 2026: Chevening, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon and University Awards — What Applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia Can Get
- Student Housing in the UK in 2026: Halls, Private Halls or a Shared House — Prices, Deposits and the New Renting Rules
