City College Plymouth

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

Click here to get a virtual tour of our campus

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.

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.