Plymouth Marjon University

About Plymouth Marjon University

Plymouth Marjon University is the preferred operating name of the University of St Mark & St John, rather than a department or campus of another university. The institution is regulated by the Office for Students and remains active for the 2026–27 academic year. Its governing body’s members also act as charity trustees, supporting its classification as a private nonprofit institution in an international directory context. Marjon traces its foundation to St John’s College, which received its first students in Battersea in 1840. St Mark’s College followed in Chelsea in 1841, and the two teacher-training colleges amalgamated in 1923. The combined institution relocated to Plymouth in 1973, became a university college in 2007, and obtained legal confirmation of university title in 2013. That history explains the university’s continuing prominence in education and teacher preparation, although its present curriculum extends well beyond those areas. The university operates principally from one green campus in Derriford. Teaching spaces, student support, the library, Students’ Union, accommodation, food outlets, and sports facilities are concentrated there. This arrangement may suit students who prefer a smaller, integrated campus environment. Applicants seeking the scale, subject breadth, or city-centre setting of a large multidisciplinary university should compare Marjon’s current course catalogue and location carefully before deciding.

Most full-time undergraduate applications are submitted through UCAS using institution code P63 (PMARJ). Marjon advises applicants to apply by the main January UCAS deadline, while noting that later applications may be considered if places remain. Part-time undergraduate applicants normally apply directly to the university. Entry requirements are course-specific: published course pages may specify UCAS tariff points, particular school subjects, interviews, portfolios, occupational-health conditions, or DBS checks. The university also considers contextual circumstances and may assess non-standard qualifications or relevant experience individually. Most taught postgraduate programmes other than PGCE and School Direct accept direct applications to Marjon. Teacher-training routes use the relevant national application service specified on the course page. PhD applicants follow a separate enquiry-led process and should allow time for the university to assess the proposal and identify appropriate supervision. All undergraduate applicants need GCSE English Language at grade C/4 or an accepted equivalent. For applicants not requiring a Student visa, the university lists IELTS Academic with at least 6.0 in every component among its accepted undergraduate options. Student-visa applicants face separately specified approved-test requirements: the published minimum is 6.0 in each IELTS for UKVI component for undergraduate study and 6.5 in each component for postgraduate study. Some courses, particularly initial teacher training or linguistically demanding programmes, may set higher standards. International undergraduates apply through UCAS, while international postgraduate applicants normally apply directly.

Marjon awards undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications and supports doctoral research. Its current undergraduate provision includes subjects across education and teacher training, sport and exercise, coaching, health, psychology, business, criminology, community and youth work, and related applied fields. Available awards and course availability can change between intakes, so applicants should use the live course page rather than relying on an older prospectus or programme specification. Teacher education remains a defining academic area. Routes include undergraduate programmes leading to Qualified Teacher Status and postgraduate teacher training, with substantial school-based learning on applicable courses. Sport provision spans coaching, physical education, sport business, therapy, and sport and exercise science. Many professionally oriented programmes incorporate placements, practical work, accreditation requirements, or checks such as a Disclosure and Barring Service check. These conditions are course-specific and should not be assumed across the university. At postgraduate level, Marjon offers taught master’s study, postgraduate certificates and diplomas, PGCE routes, and an MRes. PhD applications are welcomed in four broad research areas: Education; Sport and Exercise Science; Health and Wellbeing; and Business and Social Science. Doctoral applicants first submit a research-degree enquiry with a short outline of their proposed topic. Progress depends on the university having suitable supervisory expertise and capacity; the published process may take approximately six months. This makes early discussion particularly important for research applicants.

Key Highlights

• Independent OfS-regulated university operating in 2026–27
• Heritage begins with St John’s College’s first students in 1840
• Moved to Plymouth in 1973 and received university title in 2013
• Preferred name is Plymouth Marjon University; the legal institution is the University of St Mark & St John

Student Life & Environment

Student life is centred on Marjon’s single campus, where teaching, social spaces, the library, sports provision, support services, and university-managed housing are close together. The Marjon Students’ Union represents students and supports activities and events, while university services cover wellbeing, disability-related needs, academic support, and practical concerns. Applicants who value a compact community may find this arrangement appealing, although those wanting to live amid a city-centre student district should consider the Derriford location. University accommodation includes six halls, 38 student-village houses, and The Oaks, which is reserved for master’s and PhD students. The official accommodation information states that applications for 2026 entry opened on 1 March 2026. Applicants need an offer, and undergraduate applicants using UCAS must have selected Marjon as their firm choice before an application is considered. Standard first-year contracts run for 42 weeks and include the Christmas and Easter vacations; arrangements for returning and postgraduate residents may use 45-week contracts. Accommodation charges include utilities, Wi-Fi, contents insurance, and pastoral support. The university also reports round-the-clock security and out-of-hours support. Resident parking is restricted, with exceptions including Blue Badge holders, so students expecting to bring a car should review the current parking rules before committing to housing.

Location & Surroundings

Marjon’s campus is on Derriford Road in northern Plymouth, rather than in the city centre. Derriford is also associated with major health and employment facilities, while central Plymouth provides the city’s principal retail, cultural, nightlife, and waterfront areas. Students should factor local travel into plans for off-campus work, entertainment, and rail connections. Plymouth is a coastal city in Devon in South West England. Its position gives students access to the waterfront and beaches of Devon and Cornwall, while Dartmoor lies inland. These surroundings are particularly relevant to students interested in outdoor activity, sport, education, or community placements, but access to specific sites depends on transport and course arrangements. The university recommends local bus services and notes that operators offer student discounts through their apps. On-campus residents generally cannot park at the university during the working day unless an exemption applies, although evening and weekend permits may be available. Prospective students should check current timetables and placement travel expectations, especially when a course requires attendance at schools, clinics, sports organizations, or other sites away from campus.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, the published annual fee for a standard undergraduate or foundation degree is £9,790 for home students and £15,200 for non-UK students. The work-based foundation-degree rate is listed separately at £6,186 where applicable. The university states that undergraduate fees may rise in later years in line with government-approved annual increases, so a first-year figure should not be treated as the total price of a multiyear degree. For 2026–27 postgraduate study, the published full-time taught master’s fee is £8,800 for home students and £16,500 for non-UK students. PGCE fees are £9,790 and £15,200 respectively. Certificates and diplomas are charged pro rata, while research-degree fees and course-specific professional or accreditation charges require separate checking. Funding eligibility depends on residency, programme, and personal circumstances. University accommodation currently advertises weekly prices that vary by room type, with utilities and several support services included. Because the accommodation pages do not consistently label every displayed rate by academic year, applicants should confirm the rate attached to their 2026 offer before budgeting. They should also allow for food, transport, study materials, visa and immigration expenses where relevant, and costs connected with placements or professional checks. Marjon emphasizes work-related learning across its programmes. Its Futures service provides career information, guidance, employer connections, and professional-development resources to students and graduates. Placement structure and professional recognition remain course-specific, and no unsupported salary or employment guarantee should be inferred.