TEACHING
QUALITY
Falmouth University
51
st
NATIONAL
RANK
RANK
70.4%
FIRSTS
2:1s
2:1s
88.6%
COMPLETION
RATE
RATE
Key Stats
n/a
78th=
STUDENT
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
94th=
RESEARCH
QUALITY
QUALITY
44th
GRADUATE
PROSPECTS
PROSPECTS
Contact details
ADDRESS
Woodlane, Falmouth, TR11 4RH View on map >
Telephone
Email
Website
Open days
October 4 and 25; November 8; May 22, 2015 (foundation diploma in art and design only); June 8
University Profile
Falmouth made its debut in the league table of the new The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide last year, and rises sharply in the rankings this year.
The university almost doubled in size in the five years before being awarded full university status in 2012 and there are now 4,700 students taking a range of subjects including architecture, digital media and creative writing, as well as the art and craft courses that were its exclusive territory for almost a century.
Falmouth still regards itself as a specialist institution, but is sufficiently diversified to be included in our institutional table. Degrees now include acting, architecture, business entrepreneurship, creative writing, digital media and marketing, among many others. Recruitment remains strong, although applications have dropped significantly in each of the last two years.
Founded in 1902 as Falmouth School of Art, the institution merged with Dartington College of Arts, in south Devon, in 2008, thereby adding a variety of performance-related courses to its portfolio. The former Dartington courses relocated to a purpose-built Performance Centre at Penryn two years later.
Falmouth has
The Exchange, which contains teaching and library space as well as study areas, opened in 2012 on the Penryn campus, where there has been a major extension to the library and the establishment of an Academy for Innovation and Research, which has a particular focus on the digital economy and sustainable design, and includes an open-access digital manufacturing laboratory.
More than 70% of the staff submitted work to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise in music, theatre, choreography, visual performance and performance writing. The research programme covers areas such as smart technologies, future transport solutions, pervasive media, eco-town developments and Britain’s ageing population, as well as art.
The original Falmouth campus, near the town centre, boasts subtropical gardens and an outdoor sculpture canopy, as well as studios, library and catering facilities. Most courses demand between 260 and 300 UCAS tariff points, but portfolios or auditions are as important as A-levels on many courses. A few degrees hold out the possibility of unconditional offers for promising applicants.
About 60% of the undergraduates are female, and 95% are state educated, with a little under 30% coming from working-class homes.
The university has an internal teaching qualification for staff to ensure high standards in teaching, learning and assessment. Most of the degrees are single honours. The university has introduced new “externally facing” courses, including programmes that enable students to set up a business while studying. The unique BA in business entrepreneurship, introduced in 2014, uses the successful Team Academy model for teaching – prioritising practical experience and mentoring.
There is also new provision in the growing creative industries sectors, with courses in creative computing, gaming, social media, creative leadership, business and management. Alacrity Falmouth, launched in May 2014, is a graduate entrepreneurship programme with a focus on digital games, including a new degree in the subject, which will benefit from the university's recent European Research Area Chair in digital games technology.
There will also be a focus on the “learning and leisure” market, making use of Cornwall’s tourist attractions, businesses and landmarks.
There has already been considerable expansion in media teaching and research, with an extended Media Centre on the Penryn Campus, which also houses the Photographic Centre. Falmouth has been awarded Skillset Academy status for its media courses. The animation and visual effects department has become part of the Cross Channel Film Lab, a project that aims to develop an innovative visual effects for use in low-budget feature film production, working on films alongside experts from the within the industry. Partners include BBC Films, Film 4 and Arte France, and the university benefits from new computers, a 3D printer and stereoscopic projector, all of which will be available for student use.
The university offers each new arrival a student mentor for a year to help support them during their transition to university life. Student residences are shared with the University of Exeter. Glasney Student Village, on the Penryn Campus, opened in 2004 and expanded in 2012 and there are also residential places in Falmouth, so the university can guarantee all full-time first years accommodation as long as they apply by the published deadline.
The Sports Centre has a gymnasium, exercise studio and multi-use games area. As befits the seaside location, there are many water sports activities. Students make full use of Cornwall’s coastline and rugged moors, but there are good transport links to London and Europe. Plenty of tourist-related work is available and there is a lively nightlife during the holiday season.
The university almost doubled in size in the five years before being awarded full university status in 2012 and there are now 4,700 students taking a range of subjects including architecture, digital media and creative writing, as well as the art and craft courses that were its exclusive territory for almost a century.
Falmouth still regards itself as a specialist institution, but is sufficiently diversified to be included in our institutional table. Degrees now include acting, architecture, business entrepreneurship, creative writing, digital media and marketing, among many others. Recruitment remains strong, although applications have dropped significantly in each of the last two years.
Founded in 1902 as Falmouth School of Art, the institution merged with Dartington College of Arts, in south Devon, in 2008, thereby adding a variety of performance-related courses to its portfolio. The former Dartington courses relocated to a purpose-built Performance Centre at Penryn two years later.
Falmouth has
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also collaborated with the University of Exeter since 2002, sharing the Penryn campus. There is a unique £10m joint students’ union, FXU, which serves all Falmouth students and those attending Exeter’s Cornish outpost.The Exchange, which contains teaching and library space as well as study areas, opened in 2012 on the Penryn campus, where there has been a major extension to the library and the establishment of an Academy for Innovation and Research, which has a particular focus on the digital economy and sustainable design, and includes an open-access digital manufacturing laboratory.
The original Falmouth campus, near the town centre, boasts subtropical gardens and an outdoor sculpture canopy, as well as studios, library and catering facilities. Most courses demand between 260 and 300 UCAS tariff points, but portfolios or auditions are as important as A-levels on many courses. A few degrees hold out the possibility of unconditional offers for promising applicants.
About 60% of the undergraduates are female, and 95% are state educated, with a little under 30% coming from working-class homes.
The university has an internal teaching qualification for staff to ensure high standards in teaching, learning and assessment. Most of the degrees are single honours. The university has introduced new “externally facing” courses, including programmes that enable students to set up a business while studying. The unique BA in business entrepreneurship, introduced in 2014, uses the successful Team Academy model for teaching – prioritising practical experience and mentoring.
There is also new provision in the growing creative industries sectors, with courses in creative computing, gaming, social media, creative leadership, business and management. Alacrity Falmouth, launched in May 2014, is a graduate entrepreneurship programme with a focus on digital games, including a new degree in the subject, which will benefit from the university's recent European Research Area Chair in digital games technology.
There will also be a focus on the “learning and leisure” market, making use of Cornwall’s tourist attractions, businesses and landmarks.
There has already been considerable expansion in media teaching and research, with an extended Media Centre on the Penryn Campus, which also houses the Photographic Centre. Falmouth has been awarded Skillset Academy status for its media courses. The animation and visual effects department has become part of the Cross Channel Film Lab, a project that aims to develop an innovative visual effects for use in low-budget feature film production, working on films alongside experts from the within the industry. Partners include BBC Films, Film 4 and Arte France, and the university benefits from new computers, a 3D printer and stereoscopic projector, all of which will be available for student use.
The university offers each new arrival a student mentor for a year to help support them during their transition to university life. Student residences are shared with the University of Exeter. Glasney Student Village, on the Penryn Campus, opened in 2004 and expanded in 2012 and there are also residential places in Falmouth, so the university can guarantee all full-time first years accommodation as long as they apply by the published deadline.
The Sports Centre has a gymnasium, exercise studio and multi-use games area. As befits the seaside location, there are many water sports activities. Students make full use of Cornwall’s coastline and rugged moors, but there are good transport links to London and Europe. Plenty of tourist-related work is available and there is a lively nightlife during the holiday season.
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Detailed Statistics
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
CATEGORY
SCORE
RANK
Ranking
-
51 (77=)
Student experience
81.1
78th=
Research quality
2
94th=
Ucas entry points
316
82nd=
Graduate prospects
70.9
44th
Firsts and 2:1s
70.4
48th
Completion rate
88.6
44th
Student-staff ratio
23:1
117th=
Services/facilities spend (£)
1,877
35th
VITAL STATISTICS
Undergraduates
(Full-time)
3,670
Undergraduates
(Part-time)
5
Postgraduates
(Full-time)
155
Postgraduates
(Part-time)
165
Applications/places
4,940/1,425
Applications/places ratio
3.5:1
STUDENT CITIES
Ellie Scouller, students’ union president
Halls of residence look like ski chalets in a little village.
Seagulls really are the biggest bullies on campus.
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Cost of living
Nightlife
Transport
Culture
ACCOMMODATION
FEES
UK/EU fees
£9,000
Fees (placement year)
£1,350
Fees (international)
£11,500
Finance website
Graduate salaries
£15,167
BURSARIES/SCHOLARSHIPS
>
Support to be given to students from households with low incomes. Details not available in August 2014.
>
Range of scholarships and bursaries by subject, for travel and for care leavers and disabled students.
SPORT
Sports points/rank
56, 106th=
Sport website
Student satisfaction
90.1%
87.5%
77.6%
71.9%