- 4,024 full-time students
- 8,425 part-time students
- 12,449 total number of students
- 1,594 apprentices
City College Plymouth
Introduction
City College Plymouth is a large Further education / Higher education institution with 500+ staff and 12,000+ students, offering a wide range of academic and vocational education up to university level in areas such as engineering, business, travel and tourism, hospitality, science and construction.
City College Plymouth is one of the top UK Colleges in the league tables with outstanding, unique training programmes and accolades including:
- Winning TEF(Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) Gold in 2023: for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students.
- Achieved 93.9% learner satisfaction, 2nd highest nationally
- Achieved 99.5% employer satisfaction, the highest nationally
- Rated 6th best College in England (source: FE Week League Tables)
- Awarded Good in our last Ofsted inspection with Outstanding features
- First FE College to be awarded the AOC International Charter for International Education and Training
- Highly commended for Internationalisation in the AOC (Association of Colleges) highly esteemed Beacon Awards in 2021
We’re a partner College of the University of Plymouth and Marjons University, working closely to develop joint courses to ensure progression for successful students. You will be a student in both the college and partner university when you study a Level 4 to Level 5 course with us.
We have over 30 years of experience in welcoming thousands of international students to join the following courses:
- Short-term courses (existing or bespoken)
- Full-time courses from Level 3 to Level 6 (Excluding BETC, T level and Apprenticeship types)
The college has a highly experienced and dedicated team to help you from your very first enquiry, right through to graduation. Whether you want advice on courses, visas, or student life in the city, there’s always someone to help. We look forward to seeing you in Plymouth.
Our Guiding Principle
City College Plymouth has a learning environment and organisational culture that positively impacts the health, wellbeing, and sustainability of our community and enables all of our students and staff to achieve their full potential.
Our Vision
We are the learning destination of choice.
Our Core Values
- Respect
- Ownership
- Integrity
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Campus Features
Cutting-edge Facilities On Campus
We invest in some of the best facilities and equipment to aid learning and development. We work closely with employers to ensure the skills you learn are relevant and up-to-date giving you the best chance at gaining the job of your dreams.
Digital Learning Quarter
This space is designed to support your learning. It houses the library, the Maths Centre for Excellence and The Core, which boasts some of the best and most cutting-edge equipment currently being used in further education.
You will find a welcoming team who will signpost you to all the resources you need to pass your course with flying colours.
Maths Centre for Excellence
City College Plymouth is one of 21 National Centres for Excellence in Maths and was chosen after displaying its success in supporting people to improve their maths. The Maths Centre for Excellence is jam-packed with interactive gadgets that help our lecturers use the most up-to-date teaching methods to help you get that all-important grade 4 (or above).
The Core
This interactive space is enhancing our students’ learning experience. It houses Jam Boards and interactive workstations. Virtual reality equipment and a team of experts who are shaping our digital skills training at the College.
Future Skills Centre
At a cost of £ 1.1 million, the new Future Skills Centre is vital for the delivery of construction T Levels and will become a research centre for the development of new and green technologies that will revolutionise training within the construction and built environment industry.
Centre of Higher Technical Innovation & Maritime Skills
Thinking about a career in manufacturing, engineering or the marine industries? You will benefit from our new facility that lies at the heart of Plymouth’s marine industry. Our site at Oceansgate gives students access to the very latest industry equipment with the view of driving forward new technologies.
Institute of Technology
The College is proud to be part of a collaboration that has committed to investing in state-of-the-art facilities and developing courses that will develop the skills of the next generation of technicians and engineers.
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Admissions
How to apply
Step 1
The easiest way to apply is to download and complete our International Student Application Form. Then e-mail it to our admission along with:
- a copy of your current passport/all visas and travel documents
- copies of international and UK qualifications, and English language proficiency certificate (if required)
- copies of previous CASs assigned and used as part of the tier 4 application (if applicable)
- two references, including one from your current school/college/university/employer
- IELTS test report form (if required)
- details of any previous studies or visits in the UK
- depending on who is paying for your course, proof of affordability (self-funded) or written consent (funded by another person).
Alternatively, if you are applying for a HNC, Foundation Degree or BSc (Hons) top-up degree, you can apply via UCAS. However, you will still need to provide our Admissions Office with the following:
- a copy of your passport and any current visa
- copies of international and UK qualifications, and English language proficiency certificate (if required)
- copies of previous CASs assigned and used as part of the tier 4 application (if applicable)
- two references, including one from your current school/college/university/employer
- IELTS test report form (if required)
- details of any previous studies or visits in the UK
- depending on who is paying for your course, proof of affordability (self-funded) or written consent (funded by another person).
Step 2
Once we have received everything relevant from step 1, your application will be screened. You may be sent an e-mail if there is missing information or if we require further clarification.
Depending on your qualifications and the course you have applied for, you may be sent an interview date. This will be a virtual interview unless you are currently in Plymouth or the surrounding areas.
If you are applying for a creative arts course, you will also need to supply scanned copies of your artwork/sketchbook/portfolio – or if you are attending a face-to-face interview, you need to bring your sketchbook and/or portfolio. If this is required, we will let you know when you are invited to your interview.
Step 3
If you meet all of our entry requirements and are successful at your interview, you will be sent an offer letter.
In order to accept the offer you will need to provide the following:
- tuition fees paid in full
- financial documents providing evidence of the UKVI required maintenance funds if not already provided
- UKVI approved TB Health Screening Certificate (if this is requested).
Step 4
Once we are in receipt of everything mentioned in the previous steps, we will be able to assign your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
This will be provided to you in the format of a document attached to an e-mail. Please apply for your visa as soon as possible after receiving this e-mail.
Step 5
Please inform our International Office as soon as your visa is issued so that we can send you an enrolment letter. If you are currently overseas, you will need to inform the International Office of your arrival date and time before travelling.
Visa Requirements
Please read all the steps here before applying.
Please note:
- You should apply a minimum of three months before the start of the course to allow enough time for the full College application and visa application processes.
- If you have previously studied in the UK, you must apply for a higher level of study with us.
- If you are already in the UK, please get in touch with details of your visit/status and the Admissions team will be able to advise further.
- Regularly check your e-mails for correspondence from the College once you have applied.
- For more information on the Student Visa Route, you can visit GOV.UK or UKCISA.
If your application is successful, we ask for the full fee before assigning the CAS. For further education level 3 courses this is £6,100 per year. For higher education level 4 and 5 courses, this is £9,450 per year. For higher education level 6 courses this is £10,700 per year.
Please note there may be other/additional costs for some courses, such as external examination fees.
Scholarships and Funding
Did you know that most students who study at City College Plymouth don’t pay anything for their courses?
Courses for 16-18-year-olds are funded by the Education & Skills Funding Agency, and a wide range of courses for adults aged 19+ are either funded or partially funded too.
In addition, the College has a dedicated Funding Office that does everything it can to support students with what they need to succeed, including travel costs, meals, childcare, laptops and tech, books, course equipment, and much more.
How can we help?
- Support for 16-18 Students
- Students for Adults 19+
- Support for Adults Loan
- Support for Asylum Seekers
- Support for SEND Students
Visit the University website for more information.
Programs
- Diploma in Computing
- Diploma in Humanities (Literature, Creative Writing and History)
- Diploma in Science (Biopsychology)
- Diploma in Social Science (Psychology and Sociology)
- Foundation Degree in Applied Cyber Security
- Foundation Degree in Community and Public Services
- Foundation Degree in Creative Media Production
- Foundation Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Foundation Degree in Film Production
- Foundation Degree in Game Design and Production
- Foundation Degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Foundation Degree in Software Development
- Foundation Degree in Sports Therapy and Injury Rehabilitation
- Foundation Degree in Strength Conditioning and Sports Coaching
- Higher National Certificate in Applied Cyber Security
- Higher National Certificate in Applied Forensic Science
- Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering
- Higher National Certificate in Construction & Digital Innovation
- Higher National Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Higher National Certificate in Manufacturing Maintenance Engineer
- Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Higher National Certificate in Naval Architecture
- International Foundation Course - Business
- International Foundation Course - Science