Falmouth University

Summary

University Environment

Falmouth University is a multi-arts university based in Falmouth and Penryn, Cornwall, England.

Falmouth Campus

Falmouth Campus is the University’s main administrative hub and is the main centre for the Schools of Art, Design and Fashion. The University is a ten-minute walk from Falmouth Town station and the town centre, a short stroll to the shores of Gyllyngvase beach and five minutes by train from Penryn and 20 minutes by train from Truro.

The campus’s facilities include the University Art Shop, a bar and live music venue, Fashion studios, Fine Art studios, Graphic Design studios, Illustration studios, Drawing studios, IT suites, a Library, a Printmaking studio, a Refectory, a reprographics service and subtropical gardens.

Surrounding the Falmouth Campus within the town of Falmouth are several annexes; as the University has grown it has overtaken the original School of Art buildings which are now used for undergraduate classes and accommodation.

Penryn Campus

Penryn Campus, standing proud above Penryn town, is home to a spectrum if disciplines, from design and media to performance and writing. The train to Falmouth takes 5 minutes while the train from Truro takes 15 minutes, with Penryn station a 20-minute walk from the campus.

The Stannary is one of the country’s largest live events venues, and the campus’s other facilities include the Glasney Student Village, the Sports Centre, The Exchange and Library, The Compass, a Student Shop, a reprographics shop, The Performance Centre, a Design Centre, a Media Centre, a Photography Centre, and an Animation Studio.

History

Falmouth University has its origins in Falmouth School of Art, founded in 1902 in response to the diminution of scientific activities in Cornwall that was brought about by the decline of the Cornish mining industry.

It received taught degree-awarding powers in March 2005 and in December 2012 was officially granted university status.

Academics

Departments

• Academy for Innovation & Research
• School of Architecture, Design & Interiors
• Falmouth School of Art
• School of Communication Design
• Fashion & Textiles Institute
• School of Film & Television
• Games Academy
• Academy of Music & Theatre Arts
• Institute of Photography
• School of Writing & Journalism

Research

The Academy for Innovation & Research (AIR) is the hub for research and innovation at Falmouth and facilitates collaboration with a range of partners including businesses, charities and public sector organisations.

The University is currently concentrating on two cross-cutting strategic themes: digital economy and sustainable design. The digital economy theme concentrates on the opportunities and challenges that digital technologies present in the arts and creative industries, as well as areas such as e-health and wellbeing, and smart environments.

Research within the sustainable design theme focuses on how they make best use of the planet's resources through innovative design, covering topics such as future transport solutions, energy challenges, eco-town developments, the ageing population and the potential of Next Generation Broadband.

International & Industrial Opportunities

Studying and working abroad is actively encouraged at Falmouth and there are plenty of opportunities for exchange programmes with European and international partner universities. Partner university countries in Europe include Croatia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, while students also have the opportunity of studying further afield in countries such as Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and the USA.

Further Information

Most courses will ask you to provide a portfolio or to take part in auditions if you’re applying for a performance course. You may also be required to attend an interview, which is a chance for you to meet University representatives in person and discuss your knowledge, engagement and potential.

Fees & Finance

Bursaries

The Cornwall Award offers applicants who live in Cornwall up to £2,200 to help towards equipment, internships and the funding of end-of-year shows.

Students with household incomes of £25,000pa will automatically receive a Materials Award which varies in size depending upon your area of study. This will be an annual award, assuming that your circumstances don't change.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The Exchange, the University’s award-winning £10m learning, teaching and research hub on Penryn Campus houses the largest library and helpdesk, Career Zone, collaborative learning spaces, a large auditorium, quiet study areas and 24/7 access.

Falmouth’s libraries have extensive collections for research, all supported by innovative technology. The University subscribes to a huge variety of magazines, specialist collections and journals, and has one of the largest and most richly diverse collections of DVDs, Blu-ray and streaming videos in higher education, with 30,000 individual titles are at your disposal. Other digital resources include image banks, newspaper archives and business databases,

The Centre for Performance Research Resource Centre is home to an extraordinary collection contains DVDs, videos, journals, books and archival material that specialises in world theatre/dance and experimental performance, allowing students access to materials that are usually unavailable in a conventional theatre library

Fully-equipped, 24/7 open access IT suites and Wi-Fi is available throughout the University.

The University’s new graphic design building was completed in 2014 and includes Makernow, a digital fabrication laboratory, which allows you to explore digital fabrication and electronic prototyping.

Falmouth’s fashion and textiles courses provide students with an original printmaking studio and fashion studio. With resources such as stone lithography, ultrasonic welders and digital fabric printers, it’s one of the best sampling facilities in the UK.

ASK Advisors are available to offer one-to-one guidance and information on all aspects of academic study and skills. Their services include information on essay writing, managing dissertations, giving presentations, time management and prioritising, critical reading and note making, revision strategies and exam techniques, and citation, referencing and avoiding plagiarism. They can also provide a feedback service on written assignments and offer individual appointments and small group tutorials, as well as lunchtime workshops and drop-in sessions.

Sporting Facilities

The newly extended fitness centre has all the latest equipment in a 45-station fitness suite. It offers an exercise studio for classes where you can try your hand at everything from Pilates to Kettlebells. The University’s clubs and societies make full use of the sports pitch, running path and weekly surf trips.

Students' Union

Students' Union

Falmouth and Exeter Student’s Union (FXU) has been runner up two years in a row in the NUS awards for Best Small and Specialist Students’ Union (2012 and 2013) and is the only Union in the country to represent students from two different universities. FXU Students' Union clubs and societies provide a vibrant and eclectic social life with over 120 opportunities available, whilst the Stannary, Falmouth's on-site 1,250 capacity venue, offers regular weeknight events including quizzes, film screenings and open mic nights.

Give it a go volunteering provides a range of one off activities for you to try, and find out what you like to do. If you really like a activity FXU will support you in setting up a student-led volunteering project and it will give you the chance to lead, form a like-minded social group and really invest in a project that you care about.

RAD stands for Raise and Donate with previous, more traditional RAD activities including street collections, sponsored events (skydive or fire walk), raffles, bingo, quizzes, themed nights, cake sales and jumble sales. Last year students raised over £37,000 for a whole range of worthy charities.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

Falmouth’s multifaith chaplaincy service provides spiritual and emotional support to all students of all faiths and none. There is one full-time multifaith chaplain and a team of friendly volunteers who are ambassadors for various churches and faith communities, whilst the service is also involved in community building on and off campus and provide leadership, advice and guidance.

The Chaplaincy has close connections with the Cornwall Faith Forum who help them link students and staff with smaller faith communities that have a less visible presence on campus.

Health & Wellbeing

Falmouth’s GP is based on the Penryn Campus five days a week during term-time, whilst the wellbeing team also support students experiencing anxiety, stress and other mental health concerns.  They offer you a confidential, safe space to explore the things that might be troubling you and help you move forward and counselling is freely available to all students.

The Compass, a student information service developed from consultation and feedback from students and staff is situated on the lower ground floor of The Exchange building and is a unique interface connecting all users to relevant campus services or information. The friendly team of advisers are well-trained to answer common questions, unpick complex queries and will refer you to the right team in the University.

Falmouth offers help to those with Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. Dyslexia Skills offers a free online screener for all students called Do-IT Profiler which helps you identify your preferred learning style, gives you an overview of your study strengths and weaknesses and helps you decide whether or not you need a full SpLD assessment.

After completing the Profiler, you will be able to access a personalised report and resources aimed at improving your study skills. If you are diagnosed with a SpLD, you may be able to claim Disabled Students' Allowance. This entitles you to one-to-one sessions with a specialist Dyslexia Skills tutor and you can work with them to develop more effective study skills.

Career Facilities

The Careers and Employability team at Falmouth are on hand to help you, whether you’re seeking part-time work while studying or your first job after graduation. Their support, much of which can be access through Career Hub, their online portal, includes: 1:1 appointments; employability and enterprise training; in-course workshops and seminars; industry talks from the BBC and Channel 4 to Santander, Saatchi and Ogilvy & Mather; and vacancy listings. 

Throughout the year the team host a range of careers fairs and events.

Falmouth’s courses are designed with practical, employer-focused learning in mind. During your degree, you’ll benefit from work placements, study trips, industry partners, visiting speakers and live briefs on real-world projects.

Accommodation

Falmouth are joint 1st in the UK for student accommodation according to the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2014. The University’s accommodation is only a walk away from the heart of Falmouth and Penryn, with great transport links between the two towns and campuses.

A tthe Falmouth campus is Tuke House, offering en-suite single bedrooms with a work station, telephone and secure entry system clustered around five-bedroom flats with kitchen and living area. Free high-speed internet access and laundry facilities.

Glasney Student Village and The Sidings on Penryn Campus offer a range of bedrooms in flats with desk areas, from en-suite doubles to discounted shared rooms. The communal area includes full kitchen facilities, a TV and free Wi-Fi. CCTV and 24-hour security, laundrettes and external bike stores are also available.

International

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language the University asks for a minimum 6.0 IELTs if you are looking to apply for an undergraduate degree.

International Support

Falmouth have over 300 international students from 53 countries studying at the University.

For new students travelling from outside of the UK The University offers an airport meeting service. Their dedicated team of staff and ambassadors can meet you at London Heathrow Airport and take you by coach to the Penryn Campus. On arrival they help you to move into your accommodation and find your way around campus and the local area.

In order to support students whose first language is not English, there are free in-sessional English language classes during term time. These courses are designed to help you with your study and life in the UK, and they also provide an opportunity to meet other students from around the world. The courses run during term-time and include: a range of discipline-specific academic English courses; social English; presentations and pronunciation; and English for CVs and applications.

Through the awarding of scholarships the University aims to support academic enrichment by encouraging diversity and excellence. In 2015 Falmouth awarded over £80,000 worth of international scholarships.

Media