Transitioning to Uni

Welcome to the Transitioning to Uni page where you will find a list of useful links and materials to set you up for starting with the University of Plymouth. Keep checking back as more resources will be added over the coming weeks.

Starting University

Induction

Support Services

Our University has a whole host of Support Services open and available for you to access.

Find out about our students’ experiences at Plymouth

Course Resources

Click on your subject area of interest, or scroll down, to find out more about what to expect when you start studying with us here at the University of Plymouth.

Architecture

We believe in diversity, intelligent questioning of norms and in a society of independent thinkers. We believe in architecture being available to all and a future beyond that currently known; we believe in creating history. Below you will find some tips to succeed in Architecture.

Be: Informed

-       Check out “101 Things I learned in Architecture School” by Frederick, Matthew. 2007, MIT Press”.

Start by thinking about what you think you might be doing when you study architecture and compare it to what is suggested in this book (note that the experiences of the author are a useful prompt for discussion, but the author’s experience is not necessarily what everyone experiences).

Be: Inquisitive

-       Find a sketchbook and a drawing tool (i.e., pen, pencil, etc) that you like.

Start sketching things you noticed and are interested in; neatly add key notes to these sketches, which identify why you like them and whether those things are an  object, a building, a space within a building, a detail of a building, a place outside/between buildings, or people inhabiting/using any of the above.

Explore familiar ways and a new ways of sketching.

 Be: Inspired

-       Find curious stories and places in the world either via a book such as “Atlas Obscure: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders by J. Foer, D. Thuras, E. Morton, 2016, Workman Publishing Company”; or access the web magazine: https://www.atlasobscura.com/ to read articles online or hear podcasts.

Discover what types of curiosities that inspire you the most. Make a list of stories that you were intrigued by.

For further stimulation: Reading list

-       A World History of Architecture (3rd edition). By Moffett, Marian, Fazio, Michael and Wodehouse, Lawrence, London: Laurence King.

*If you are interested in purchasing this book directly from the publisher, access to the URL link: https://www.laurenceking.com/student/sign-up/ Once you create a student account, you should be able to purchase books from the Laurence King with a 35% discount throughout your degree.

-       Architecture: a very short introduction by Ballantyne, Andrew, 2002, Oxford:

Oxford university Press.

-       Thinking Architecture by Zumthor, Peter, 1998, Basel: Birkhauser.

-       Body Memory and Architecture by Bloomer, Kent and Moore, Charles, 1977,

New Haven: Yale University.

-       Place and Placelessness by Relph, Edward, 1976, London: Pion.

Biological Sciences

On our BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences programme, students get the opportunity to undertake fieldwork in the Azores. Watch the video below to find out more about this unique environment.

Our students also have access to world-class facilities on campus. The University’s LabPlus facility contains everything that our students need to engage as real, research-active scientists.

Dance, Theatre and Performance

Take a tour of The Conservatoire - your study spaces whilst here at University.

History

So, what comes next? It’s often said that the best way to see the future is to understand the past.

Watch Dr Elaine Murphy talk about Women and the Navy in the Age of Sail - A historical perspective

The human costs of the British Civil Wars | Making It 2021, The Arts Institute

Plymouth Blitz 80th Anniversary

Health

Making a difference - through research. Below you will find some inter-professional talks on how many careers as an Allied Health Professional can make a difference in people’s every day lives. We hope these will help you think ahead to the start of your career as you embark on your training to become an Allied Health Professional and the difference you can make.

Head injuries, follow a one year journey of someone who has had a brain injury. Take a look at the team of Allied Health Professionals involved in helping a patient’s recovery.

Nutritional Wellbeing - a vital role of any Allied Health Professional

Making the Grade, take a look at how to be a confident and competent health professional

Making a difference

Law

The Law Clinic is a unique feature of the Law School here at the University of Plymouth. Find out more about how you can be involved and the benefits of having such a fantastic opportunity at your fingertips.

Mathematical Sciences

There are plenty of online tutorials on the University of Plymouth’s Mathematical Sciences YouTube channel. Below is just one example. Visit our YouTube channel now, and don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell notification icon. Hopefully our mathematical sciences applicants will find this content useful and helpful to them before starting their mathematics degree.

Nursing and Midwifery

Our Clinical Skills Simulation Wards offer you the opportunity to learn new skills without the pressure of having to get it right first time. It enables you to do things at your own speed with the support of not only your lecturers, registered nurses and other health care professionals, but also your peers.