Quick Read
- University of Plymouth ranking 2027 sits at #691 globally on QS World Rankings.
- Complete University Guide places Plymouth 75th out of 130 UK universities.
- Plymouth ranks 1st in the UK for Food Science, Complete University Guide 2027.
- Postgraduate tuition typically runs £17,700-£23,500 (₹22.52-₹29.90 lakh) a year.
- Visa maintenance funds required: £10,539 (₹13.41 lakh) for 9 months outside London.
- UK Graduate Route drops to 18 months for visa applications made from 1 January 2027.
University of Plymouth Ranking 2027 at a Glance
The University of Plymouth ranking changes sharply by table, and each one measures something different.
| Ranking body | 2027 position | What it measures |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | #691 globally | Research reputation, employer reputation, citations |
| Complete University Guide | 75th of 130 UK universities | Teaching quality, entry standards, graduate outcomes |
| The Guardian University Guide 2026 | 83rd of 123 UK universities | Student satisfaction, value added, career prospects |
| CUG Subject Table 2027: Food Science | 1st in the UK | Subject-specific teaching and outcomes |
| CUG Subject Table 2027: Medicine | 32nd of 40 UK medical schools | Entry standards, satisfaction, graduate prospects |
| Guardian Subject Table 2026: Medicine | 34th of 36 UK medical schools | Satisfaction, feedback, value added |
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Counselor insight: Don't average these numbers into one score. QS rewards global research reputation across roughly 1,500 institutions. CUG and Guardian measure UK-specific teaching quality across about 130. A university can sit outside the QS global top 600 while ranking 1st in the UK for a specific subject, which is exactly Plymouth's pattern.
University of Plymouth Ranking Has Changed Over the Years
| Ranking body | Recent trend | Current position |
| QS World University Rankings | Held within the low 600s-low 700s globally across the last 3 editions | #691 (2027) |
| Times Higher Education | Held in the low-500s global band across recent cycles | Low 500s band (2026 edition) |
| Complete University Guide (UK) | Broadly mid-table, no sharp movement | 75th of 130 |
| Guardian University Guide (UK) | Moved within a similar mid-table range | 83rd of 123 (2026) |
| CUG Food Science (subject) | Held at or near 1st across the last 2 cycles | 1st in the UK (2027) |
Sources: QS World University Rankings, TopUniversities | Times Higher Education, University of Plymouth | Complete University Guide, League table hidden gems
Counselor insight: A stable mid-table position year after year is not "falling behind." Read it as a sign the institution isn't over-reliant on one metric spike, and watch the subject table for your course instead of small annual movements in the overall number.
University of Plymouth Ranking by Subject for Indian Students
Overall rank rarely tells you what you need to know. Here's how Plymouth's ranking breaks down for the subjects Indian applicants search for most.
| Subject | UK ranking position | Best for |
| Food Science | 1st in the UK (CUG 2027) | Applied science applicants; backed by Plymouth's own marine research facilities |
| Marine Science / Ocean Engineering | Subject strength aligned with Food Science ranking | Final-year BSc students targeting a related master's |
| Medicine (Peninsula Medical School) | 32nd of 40 UK medical schools (CUG 2027); 34th of 36 (Guardian 2026) | Applicants prioritising GMC accreditation over subject rank |
| Business | Mid-table, close to overall UK position | Applicants comparing fee-to-outcome against similarly priced UK universities |
| Computer Science | Mid-table, close to overall UK position | Applicants for whom placement links matter more than rank |
Sources: Complete University Guide, Medicine subject table | Complete University Guide, League table hidden gems | The Guardian University Guide 2026, Medicine subject table
For 2024 entry, Peninsula Medical School received 931 Medicine applications, interviewed 679 candidates (73%), and made 419 offers (45%).
Counselor insight: A Class 12 student or parent comparing Plymouth purely on brand recognition against Russell Group names should know Plymouth is not a Russell Group member and sits well below research-intensive Russell Group universities on QS. If global prestige is your main filter, that comparison matters more than any single subject win.
University of Plymouth Fees for Indian Students: 2027 Intake
Postgraduate taught tuition is set per course, but representative 2026-27 bands for science, engineering, and business master's programs run £17,700-£23,500 (₹22.52-₹29.90 lakh) a year.
For your Student visa, the UK government's maintenance requirement (updated 11 November 2025) is £1,171 (₹1.49 lakh) per month outside London, capped at 9 months, meaning £10,539 (₹13.41 lakh) total; inside London the rate is £1,529 (₹1.94 lakh) per month, or £13,761 (₹17.51 lakh) for 9 months.
Plymouth is one of the more affordable UK cities to live in. Realistic monthly living costs, covering rent, food, and transport, typically run £700-£1,000 (₹89,075-₹1,27,250) for shared accommodation outside the city centre.
| Cost item | Amount (GBP) | Amount (INR) |
| PG taught tuition (typical band, 2026-27 baseline) | £17,700-£23,500/year | ₹22.52-₹29.90 lakh/year |
| Visa maintenance funds (outside London, 9 months) | £10,539 | ₹13.41 lakh |
| Visa maintenance funds (inside London, 9 months) | £13,761 | ₹17.51 lakh |
| Monthly living costs (shared accommodation) | £700-£1,000 | ₹89,075-₹1,27,250 |
| UCAS undergraduate application fee | £28.95 | ₹3,684 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge, Student visa (per year) | £776 | ₹98,746 |
| Graduate Route visa application fee | £937 | ₹1.19 lakh |
| Immigration Health Surcharge, Graduate Route (per year) | £1,035 | ₹1.32 lakh |
Sources: University of Plymouth, official fees page | UKCISA, Student update: Changes to the Student and Graduate Rules | University of Bristol, Graduate Route visa fees
Exchange rate used: £1 = ₹127.25. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.
Counselor insight: Confirm your exact course fee on Plymouth's own course page once 2027-28 rates are published, and budget an inflation buffer of 3-5% above the 2026-27 figures above. Peninsula Medical School and Dental School fees sit outside this standard PGT band entirely.
Scholarships at the University of Plymouth for Indian Students 2027
| Scholarship | Value | Automatic or apply? |
| International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship | £4,000 (₹5.09 lakh) off year-one tuition | Automatic on meeting entry requirements |
| International Postgraduate Merit Scholarship | £3,500 (₹4.45 lakh) off tuition | Automatic for a UK 2:1 equivalent or above |
| Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship | 50% off year-one tuition | Application required |
| Early Payment Discount | £500 (₹63,625) off tuition | Automatic if fees paid in full by the published deadline |
Scholarships are not available for Peninsula Medical School or Peninsula Dental School courses, and only the highest-value award applies if you qualify for more than one.
For government and external funding beyond Plymouth's own awards, see LeapScholar's guide to Top Scholarships in UK for Indian Students.
Counselor insight: The Merit Scholarship and Welcome Scholarship are automatic, so don't waste time preparing a separate application for those. The Vice-Chancellor's award is the only one on this list that genuinely rewards a strong, competitive application, so put your effort there.
Document Checklist for University of Plymouth
| Document | Why it matters | India-specific detail |
| Subject-table printout for your exact course | Overall rank rarely matches subject rank | Save the specific subject page, not the homepage ranking |
| Class 12 marksheet and provisional certificate | UG entry standard (60%+ typical) | CBSE, ISC, and state boards assessed individually |
| Bachelor's transcript and provisional certificate | PG entry standard (55%+ typical, 2:1 equivalent for merit scholarship) | Attach WES or equivalent conversion if requested |
| IELTS/PTE/TOEFL score report | English proficiency (6.0-6.5 IELTS typical) | Confirm any board-based waiver directly with admissions |
| UCAT score report (Medicine only) | GMC-relevant entry requirement | India test centres run on a fixed annual Pearson VUE cycle |
If your results land below the conditional offer threshold, contact admissions immediately rather than waiting; Plymouth considers marginal misses case-by-case. If your IELTS score is below the required level, check whether your course allows a retake before the CAS deadline or accepts an approved pre-sessional English course. If your Class 12 results are delayed, ask your department for a provisional CAS based on predicted grades; many universities, including Plymouth, will upgrade it once official results are confirmed.
Counselor insight: Universities rarely notify you when a document check is pending; they simply don't move your application forward. Email admissions for a document-by-document confirmation rather than waiting to hear back.
Planning Around the University of Plymouth: Your 2027 Calendar
- Now through August 2026: Shortlist using the correct subject table for your course. Register for IELTS/UCAT if targeting a January or September 2027 start.
- September-November 2026: Submit applications for the January 2027 intake (a smaller intake, concentrated in Business and Technology courses) if that timeline suits you.
- December 2026-January 2027: January 2027 intake decisions and CAS issuance. Note that visa applications from 1 January 2027 fall under the 18-month Graduate Route rule, regardless of ranking research.
- February-May 2027: Main application window for the September 2027 intake. Submit direct postgraduate applications or UCAS for undergraduate entry; request predicted-grade letters if Class 12 or bachelor's results are pending.
- June-July 2027: Track offers, confirm 2027-28 fee rates once published, and finalise your comparison against alternative universities.
- August 2027: Complete visa documentation, arrange the 28-day proof-of-funds window, and book pre-departure briefings.
- September 2027: Standard intake begins.
Post-Study Work Rights: Graduate Route for University of Plymouth Students
This rule applies to every UK university, not just Plymouth, and it is one of the most consequential planning factors right now for anyone targeting a 2027 intake.
If your course application was submitted before 1 January 2027, you retain the 2-year Graduate Route after graduating. If your application is submitted on or after 1 January 2027, the Graduate Route grants 18 months of post-study permission for bachelor's and master's graduates, and 3 years for PhD graduates.
Sources: UKCISA, Graduate Route | House of Commons Library, Graduate Route research briefing (CBP-10267)
Counselor insight: This rule is tied to your visa application date, not your graduation date or Plymouth's ranking. A student on a one-year taught master's starting in September 2027 will typically apply for the Graduate Route around September-October 2028, well within the 18-month window, regardless of when they applied to the course. Plan job search and Skilled Worker sponsorship conversations early, since the shorter window compresses your runway.
For eligibility, timing, and dependent rules, see LeapScholar's Post-Study Work Visa (PSW) in the UK guide.
3 Takeaways on University of Plymouth Ranking
- Treat the University of Plymouth ranking as course-specific. Its QS global position (#691) and its UK Food Science subject rank (1st) tell very different stories; follow whichever is relevant to your course.
- The Graduate Route change to 18 months from 1 January 2027 affects your post-study timeline regardless of Plymouth's ranking. Plan your visa application date and job search around this fixed rule.
- For Medicine applicants, GMC accreditation and clinical placement quality at Peninsula Medical School matter more than the subject rank number. Verify current entry requirements directly with admissions.
Verified by: LeapScholar's UK counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through UK admissions, ranking research, and Graduate Route planning.
Have questions about your University of Plymouth application or ranking research? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Plymouth Ranking
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What is the University of Plymouth ranking in the QS World University Rankings 2027?
The University of Plymouth ranking is #691 globally in QS 2027, confirmed on TopUniversities.com. This places it in the upper half of the roughly 1,500 universities QS assesses, a mid-table rather than top-tier position.
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Where does the University of Plymouth rank in the UK?
Plymouth ranks 75th out of 130 on the Complete University Guide and 83rd out of 123 on the Guardian University Guide 2026. These reflect teaching quality and student outcomes, not global research reputation, so don't compare them directly to the QS figure.
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Is the University of Plymouth good for Medicine?
Peninsula Medical School holds full GMC accreditation, so its BMBS graduates are eligible for provisional GMC registration like any UK medical school's graduates. On subject tables, Plymouth ranks 32nd out of 40 (CUG 2027) and 34th out of 36 (Guardian 2026) UK medical schools, so evaluate the program based on accreditation and placement quality rather than subject rank alone.
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What is the University of Plymouth's world ranking trend?
Plymouth's QS position has moved between the low 600s and low 700s over the past three editions, based on figures confirmed year to year on TopUniversities.com, reflecting relative stability rather than a consistent rise or decline.
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Does the University of Plymouth rank well for any specific subject?
Yes. CUG's 2027 subject tables place Plymouth 1st in the UK for Food Science, well ahead of its overall UK rank.
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How does the Graduate Route visa change affect students choosing Plymouth for the 2027 intake?
It applies to every UK university. Applications from 1 January 2027 receive 18 months of post-study permission for bachelor's and master's graduates instead of 2 years; PhD graduates keep 3 years. This depends entirely on your visa application date, not your university's ranking.
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What IELTS score do I need for the University of Plymouth?
Indian applicants typically need 6.0 to 6.5 overall, depending on the course. Confirm the exact requirement for your target course with admissions, since thresholds vary by department.
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What happens if my Class 12 results are delayed and I miss my CAS deadline?
Contact your department's admissions team as soon as results are delayed. Many universities, including Plymouth, can issue a provisional CAS based on predicted grades and upgrade it once official results are confirmed.
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Is the University of Plymouth ranking rising or falling?
Based on QS figures confirmed year to year, Plymouth's global position has fluctuated within a broadly similar band over the past three editions, suggesting institutional stability rather than significant momentum either way.
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