Arts University Plymouth has been ranked 6th in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2027, published in June 2026.
In one of the UK’s leading national university rankings, the result places Arts University Plymouth among the country’s highest-rated institutions for student satisfaction. The result follows the university’s 5th-place ranking for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2026, keeping Arts University Plymouth in the national top ten for this measure for a second consecutive edition of the guide.
For prospective students comparing where to study, student satisfaction offers a useful indication of the teaching and learning experience they can expect. In the Complete University Guide, the measure reflects how satisfied students are with the quality of teaching they receive.
Sustained recognition from students
The result adds to a consistent pattern of student-experience recognition for the specialist arts university. Arts University Plymouth has been the top-scoring specialist arts university in the UK in the National Student Survey for four consecutive years, from 2022 to 2025. In the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026, the university was also named Winner for South West England in both Facilities and Student Support for the third year running.
Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Arts University Plymouth, said: “Student satisfaction is built through the everyday experience students have with us: in studios, workshops, tutorials, technical spaces and support services. Creative education depends on trust, access and the confidence to keep developing ideas. We are proud that students continue to recognise the quality of that experience at Arts University Plymouth.”
“This result belongs to colleagues across the university, including our academic and technical teams, student support and professional services teams. It also belongs to our students, whose work, ambition and generosity help make Arts University Plymouth such a distinctive creative community.”
Learning through making, support and professional practice
Based in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, Arts University Plymouth offers pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate study across art, design, craft and digital media. Students learn through studio-based, interdisciplinary practice, supported by specialist facilities, academic guidance and professional preparation.
The university’s city-centre campus includes more than 13,000 square metres of studios, labs and workshops across six buildings, with facilities including Fab Lab South West, Material Studio, Fabric Studio, Multimedia Studio, Imprint Lab, Fine Print Studio, Plymouth Arts Cinema and MIRROR, the university’s public gallery for contemporary art.
See the work, meet the community
Prospective students, parents, guardians and supporters can visit Arts University Plymouth during its Open Day on Saturday 20 June, from 10am to 3pm. The event takes place during Graduate Shows 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the campus, meet staff and students, and see work by this year’s graduating students.
Applications for Autumn 2026 study remain open. Visit aup.ac.uk to explore courses, book an Open Day place or find out more.
