<p dir="ltr">One of the most talked about topics at the moment is the cost of living. It’s affecting everyone, including and especially students as you weigh up your options for higher education. Taking into consideration your tuition fees is one thing, but there’s also the expenses that come with living in a city for study. This can include rental costs, bills, subscriptions like Spotify and Netflix, food costs and spending money. It’s not all bad news though. StudentCrowd ranked Plymouth as <a href="https://www.studentcrowd.com/page/cheapest-uk-cities-for-student-accommodation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one of the cheapest cities in the UK for student accommodation in 2022</a>, securing 20th position among more than 70 other university cities in the UK. </p> <p dir="ltr">Not only that, according to statistics provided by <a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Plymouth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Numbeo</a>, Plymouth is on average cheaper to rent than in Exeter, Falmouth and Bristol, and is one of the top cities in the UK for affordable living for students.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Plymouth isn't just affordable; it's also one of the safest cities in the UK. The city was awarded the <a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/purple-flag-award#:~:text=Areas%20awarded%20the%20purple%20flag,for%20a%20good%20night%20out!" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purple Flag in 2019</a>, which the city has retained since, for being a safe place to enjoy a night out. With initiatives such as night buses, taxi marshalls, street pastors and the Best Bar None scheme, you can relax knowing you're in one of the safest cities in the UK</p> <p dir="ltr">Comparethemarket also ranked Plymouth as the <a href="https://www.comparethemarket.com/life-insurance/content/top-cities-for-young-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK’s Top City For Nightlife For Young Adults</a>. With 27 venues per 10,000 young adults, the city easily outshines major cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and London, so you can feel safe while you have a blast on a night out in the city. Overall, Devon and Cornwall remain one of the safest areas in the UK according to crime statistics, with one study ranking Plymouth as the <a href="https://www.insulationexpress.co.uk/blog/revealed-safest-cities-in-england-and-wales-according-to-crime-data.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safest major city in England and Wales</a> and another citing the city as <a href="https://www.studyinternational.com/news/safest-cities-in-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one of the four safest cities in the UK for international students</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr">One of the great things about Plymouth is that most everything you need is within walking distance of either our campus or your student accommodation. Whether you’ve decided to live in the city centre, or slightly further afield in Greenbank or Mutley Plain, everything you’d need is right on your doorstep.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are a number of local supermarkets available, from convenience stores such as Co-Op to budget retailers like Aldi and brand favourites such as Sainsbury’s. Whether you’re pinching the pennies or having a little splurge, there’s plenty of options with walking distance.</p> <p dir="ltr">Plymouth also boasts an incredible selection of restaurants, bars, eateries and cafés. From waterfront eateries serving fresh seafood to a variety of international cuisines, celebrity chefs have made the city their home with brothers <a href="https://barbicankitchen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris and James Tanner</a> and <a href="https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/food-and-drink/marco-pierre-white-steakhouse-bar-and-grill-p2219223" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marco Pierre White</a> restaurants in Plymouth, adding to the high standard of food in the city. For more affordable options, the <a href="https://www.plymouthmarket.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pannier Market</a> in the city centre is a melting pot of different cultures and cuisines, to suit everyone’s tastes and budget. Plymouth also plays host to annual food festivals, such as <a href="https://www.flavourfestsw.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flavour Fest</a> in June, featuring over 100 traders and chef demonstrations, and the Plymouth <a href="https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/major-events/seafest-plymouth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seafood Festival</a> in September, a two day event celebrating the city’s rich seafood heritage and offerings.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If you’re looking for a little retail therapy, there are some great options in Britain’s Ocean City. All within walking distance, Plymouth’s city centre boasts <a href="https://www.drakecircus.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drake Circus</a>, the West Country’s most popular shopping centre with over 70 top brand names and stores. Along with the mall and a huge range of independent shops in Plymouth’s city centre, you can find more independent boutiques and art galleries at the city’s waterfront, the Barbican. If you’re willing to go a little further out of town to <a href="https://royalwilliamyard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal William Yard</a> in Stonehouse, you can find an amazing mix of retailers and businesses, offering fashion, beauty, food, drink, local art and much more. There’s also plenty of pop up markets and events throughout the year to grab some unique items and great bargains.</p> <p dir="ltr">We couldn’t write an article about Plymouth without boasting about its incredible location in the South West. The city is a haven for nature enthusiasts, perfectly situated between the stunning English Channel coastline and the scenic Dartmoor National Park. With beaches like Bovisand and Wembury just a short drive or bus ride away, and the South West Coastal Path offering breathtaking cliff-top walks, Plymouth is a gateway to some of the UK’s most captivating natural beauty, making it a great combination of urban living and outdoor adventures.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At Arts University Plymouth, we're committed to providing an enriching educational experience. We've been rated as the top arts university in the UK for overall student satisfaction in the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/nss-2022-big-increase-in-student-satisfaction-levels-at-arts-university-plymouth">National Student Survey (NSS) 2022</a> and came above the national average in every category in <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-excels-again-in-the-national-student-survey-2023">2023</a>. We also won the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-wins-at-the-whatuni-student-choice-awards">Best Small or Specialist Institution at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards in 2022</a>. Our diverse range of courses, from illustration and graphic communication to filmmaking and animation, reflects the UK’s world-leading creative industries.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">We invite you to become part of our international community of academics, graduates, technicians, and visiting lecturers. Our alumni have worked for prestigious clients including Marvel, Sony, Disney, Netflix, the BBC, LEGO, FENTY, Rockstar Games, Amazon, Burberry, Kerrang, Vans, Red Bull, Animal, and Princess Yachts.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">With affordable living costs, a safe environment, and a vibrant cultural scene, Plymouth offers an ideal setting for students. Coupled with the world-class education at Arts University Plymouth, you have all the right reasons to make this city your new home.</p> <p dir="ltr">So why wait? Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling and affordable student life in Plymouth. For more details, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/prospectus">download our prospectus</a> or<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/contact"> contact us</a> to discuss your future in creative education.<br /></p>