University of St Mark & St John

Overview

The University of St Mark & St John originates from two separate colleges founded in 1840 and 1841, and was formally given university status in 2012. It is located near the south-coast city of Plymouth and has just over 4,000 students enrolled on a single campus.

The Graduate Social Mobility Index ranked St Mark & St John as the best university in the UK for social mobility, while the Times rated the University amongst the UK Top 10 for overall student satisfaction. 94% of students are also in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

It was originally the oldest teacher-training college in the UK and the subject remains a traditional strength. Sports and journalism programmes also perform wel at the University, with the latter benefiting from a new Journalism and Media Centre opened in 2013. Many vocational courses have good links with industry and accreditation bodies.

Services for International Students

As well as undergraduate and postgraduate courses the University of St Mark & St John offers an international foundation programme, as well as academic English preparation courses for international students. During term time, there are flexible English language courses available for groups or individuals in areas such as business English, academic writing and English and contemporary British society.

Ranking

• 105th in the Times University Guide 2017

It was ranked 4th in UK in 2014 for student satisfaction and teaching quality by The Times, as well as being ranked 2nd highest for employability in the south-west of England.

Accommodation

There are seven catered Halls of Residence on campus and 38 self-catering Village Houses, offering places for almost 500 students. Accommodation can be used by all students, with the Village Houses generally used by returning and postgraduate students. Private rented accommodation is also available in and around Plymouth, as well as in homestays with local families.

Location

St Mark & St John is located in Plymouth, south-west England, on a single self-contained campus between Dartmoor National Park and the coast. Plymouth is a modern, vibrant city with a distinguished history and strong seafaring tradition. It is about 350km south west of London. The spectacular West Country coastline abounds with opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and there are several glorious beaches within a few miles of the city.