Arts University Plymouth has been ranked 5th in the UK for Student Satisfaction and 2nd in the UK for Staff-to-Student Ratio in the newly published Complete University Guide 2026. These results reinforce the university’s national reputation for personalised, student-centred education in the creative arts.
The rankings arrive just weeks after Arts University Plymouth was named University of the Year for South West England at the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards, where it also secured regional wins for Teaching Quality, Facilities and Student Support. Combined, these accolades highlight an environment where students thrive, supported by close academic relationships and sector-leading resources.
The Complete University Guide is a trusted resource for prospective students comparing UK universities. Its league tables assess performance across a range of key metrics, including satisfaction, graduate outcomes, teaching intensity, research quality and entry standards.
With a top-five national ranking for Student Satisfaction, Arts University Plymouth continues a three-year streak as the UK’s highest-rated arts university in the National Student Survey. This is the first time the university has featured in the main national rankings of the Complete University Guide, reflecting growing recognition of its distinctive student experience and creative education model. Ranking 2nd nationally for Staff-to-Student Ratio further reflects its ongoing investment in small group teaching and studio-based learning, hallmarks of its creative education model.
Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Plymouth, said: “We are proud to be recognised as one of the top universities in the UK for student satisfaction and teaching access. These results reflect the strength of our learning community and the care our staff take in supporting every student’s creative journey. It’s this combination of support and ambition that allows our students to make creativity an adventure, both during their studies and beyond.”
With over 13,000 square metres of industry-standard facilities across six city-centre buildings, Arts University Plymouth delivers courses in fine art, film, design, media, photography, fashion, craft and more. Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration, expert teaching, and open access to resources including Fab Lab South West, the Materials Lab, Imprint Lab and Adobe Creative Campus tools.
Arts University Plymouth is proud to be part of a vibrant city of learning, alongside two other award-winning universities. Plymouth Marjon University has also ranked highly in this year’s national league tables, placing joint 3rd in the UK for Student Satisfaction. The city’s higher education ecosystem continues to be recognised for its quality, diversity and impact.
Visit the UK’s top creative university for student satisfaction
An Undergraduate Open Day takes place on Saturday 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, at Arts University Plymouth. Attendees can explore specialist studios and workshops, meet academics and students, and view new work in the Graduate Shows 2025.
Running from 23 to 26 June, the Undergraduate Graduate Shows celebrate emerging talent across creative disciplines, from fashion and illustration to animation and fine art. Highlights include a NXT GEN Industry Night (25 June), and a BA (Hons) Fashion Design catwalk show at Market Hall (26 June). A Postgraduate MA Show will follow in July, showcasing advanced creativity and critical practice across design, craft, and media.
Entry to the Open Day is free and open to all. Travel bursaries of up to £80 are available to help with the cost of visiting. Book your place or find out more at aup.ac.uk.
Courses designed for the creative industries
Arts University Plymouth offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across fine art, fashion, animation, photography, graphic design, craft, media and more. All courses are taught within a supportive and interdisciplinary environment, designed to prepare graduates for careers in the fast-evolving creative sector.
Whether you're drawn to fashion, film, photography or fine art, Arts University Plymouth equips students to make creativity an adventure, supported by world-class facilities and an environment that encourages experimentation, collaboration and career confidence.