Falmouth University

Address and Location

One of the UK's leading specialist arts institutions, Falmouth University is based in Falmouth and Penryn, Cornwall. The university also hosts a partner institution in Dartington, Devon, with all campuses benefitting from the beautiful southern coast and countryside.

 

Background and History

Founded in 1902, the university was variously known as Falmouth School of Art, Falmouth College of Art and Design and Falmouth College of Arts until it received the right to award degrees in its own name in 2004. In April 2008 the institution merged with Dartington College of Arts to create a third campus near Totnes, Devon. At the end of 2012 the institution changed its name once more to become Falmouth University.  

Location and Accessibility

By Rail: The university is served by National Rail services to Truro, then regional ones to Falmouth and Penryn. From Truro, journey times are approximately 20 minutes to Falmouth and 15 minutes to Penryn.

By Road: Take the A30 from Exeter or the A38 from Plymouth. Continue along the A30 until the exit for the A3076 to Truro. Take this road until it joins the A39 to Falmouth. This route passes alongside the Penryn campus and onto Falmouth itself.

Accessibility: Most university facilities are wheelchair-accessible, and accommodation is provided for students with disabilities.

What's on Offer

Falmouth specialises in the study of art, design, media and performance. Within these subjects undergraduate, postgraduate, foundation diplomas and short courses can all be studied.

Entry Requirements

Falmouth does not consider applications based solely on academic achievement. A prospective student's portfolio, interview performance, motivation and thirst for the subject are key in determining whether the university is right for them. Many entry offers given are unconditional. Conditional ones require an average of 260 UCAS tariff points, subject to variation between courses.

University Accommodation

Accommodation is guaranteed for first years in one of the university's modern halls. A range of self-catered and catered options are available.    

Private Accommodation

Second and third-year students have the option of looking for private accommodation off-campus. The university offers help and support for house hunters. Visit the website for more details.

Faculties and Departments

Falmouth specialises in the arts, and the variety of courses offered by the different departments demonstrates the university's creative expertise. The Department of Media alone offers undergraduate courses in animation, visual effects and underwater photography.  

Tuition Fees

Undergraduate courses currently cost £9,000 per year. Fees for international students and postgraduates vary.

Financial Support: A variety of scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available to undergraduates and postgraduates. Check the university website for more details.

Academic Facilities

The university's Penryn campus has everything students need for work and play, including a Learning Resource Centre, modern IT suite, the Stannary bar and event space, and design, photography and media centres. Falmouth's Woodlane Campus hosts dedicated studio spaces for each course, IT suites featuring industry-standard software, a state-of-the-art fashion studio and an outdoor sculpture canopy.  

Other on-site Amenities

The Woodlane Campus hosts an on-site bar, refectory and art shop and subtropical gardens. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere means that students tend to spend more than just their 9-5 here. In addition to the Stannary - Cornwall's largest event venue - the Penryn campus provides a university gym and sports facilities for students wanting to maintain their fitness.  

Social and Medical Care

The university works hard to support students through their studies. A dedicated Student Services team is on hand to offer help and advice, and the university student union also runs a number of support services.

What's on in the Area

The area around Falmouth has much to offer students, foregoing a stressful city lifestyle for coastal walks and afternoon trips to creek-side villages and gardens. Falmouth hosts many of Cornwall's most colourful and vibrant events, including Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week, Falmouth Oyster Festival, Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival and Falmouth Spring Festival. The town is also home to a wealth of restaurants, pubs and cafes, many with outside areas to take advantage of some of the best weather in the UK.  

Moving On

The university's excellent reputation in the arts means graduates are well-placed to enter the creative industries upon completing their studies. Falmouth provides a Careers Advisory Service to provide CV guidance, training for jobseekers and student careers fairs.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Falmouth School of Art was a private college offering classes in Freehand Drawing, Model Drawing, Painting from Still Life, Drawing from the Antique, Drawing in Light Shade, and Memory Drawing of Plant Form. Students were charged between four and ten shillings per class. Notable alumni of the university as it exists today include newsreader Luisa Baldini, artist Mark Jenkins, actress Liz Fuller and folk singer Ben Howard.

Is Falmouth the place for you?

Falmouth offers one of the most idyllic student lifestyles in the country. If rural-countryside living, forward-thinking attitudes and creative excellence appeal to you, Falmouth is the place to be.