Falmouth attracted record numbers of applications — more than 8,000 — and new student enrolments totalled 2,600, with just 6 per cent to be found in clearing. It is moving beyond its original founding as Falmouth School of Art, established in 1902. Courses range from film, fashion design, theatre and performance, and music to business and entrepreneurship, marketing, photography, journalism, game development, and architecture — as well as a comprehensive offering in its founding specialisms of art and design.

Falmouth was awarded £7.2 million in government funding to develop its Centre for Blended Realities, where the mission is to blend cutting-edge computer science with innovation in the arts. Its innovations should further the burgeoning research profile of this small, specialist, south-coast institution. 

What is Falmouth University’s reputation?

Falmouth, which gained university status in 2012, achieved remarkable results in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). Sixty-three per cent of its art and design submissions were rated world-leading or internationally excellent. The outcomes spurred a huge 52-place rise for Falmouth in our research quality rating.

Awarded triple silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), the panel noted that physical and virtual learning resources “are used effectively to support very high quality teaching and learning”, and commended Falmouth’s “use of research in relevant disciplines, innovation, scholarship, professional practice and employer engagement”. 

Teaching is largely practice-based and takes place in studios, workshops or industry-based environments with a small amount of online learning. Lectures, though an uncommon teaching format at Falmouth, are captured for playback. Falmouth also offers specially designed online courses for fully remote learning — the option for people juggling studies with caring or work.

Satisfaction with teaching quality (62nd) and the wider undergraduate experience (93rd) are on the slide, however, according to our analysis of the National Student Survey. 

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

From 2025 the curriculum gains a new degree in software engineering.

What are Falmouth University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Applicants need 80 Ucas tariff points to qualify for an offer for an International Foundation Year (IFY) and a minimum of 104 points for an undergraduate degree. Falmouth holds interviews or auditions for most of its courses and will make contextual offers. 

What are the graduate prospects?

Students across all academic departments have opportunities to work on real projects in collaboration with industry partners. Exploring entrepreneurship is encouraged too, via a range of initiatives that include Falmouth’s own incubator, Launchpad. Some courses have industry accreditations from organisations including the Chartered Institute of Marketing, ScreenSkills and Riba. That has yet to translate to high rates of graduate employment, however. In common with fellow arts specialists, Falmouth struggles in our graduate prospects analysis, based on the proportion of leavers in high-skilled work or further study within 15 months. At 129=, Falmouth lies second from bottom in our table. 

What is Falmouth University’s campus like?

Located near the town centre and a short walk from Gyllyngvase beach, the campus is distinguished by its creative spaces designed to capture the natural light and subtropical gardens. Teaching facilities for photography include an in-house photo agency that takes on live industry projects. The purpose-built Penryn campus nearby is shared with the University of Exeter. Performing arts students have the Academy of Music & Theatre Arts at Penryn, where facilities include a cinema, motion-capture studio, video-editing suites with specialist animation software, fully sprung dance floors, rehearsal studios and theatre space. It is also a performance venue for student and visiting productions.

Everything you need to know about Falmouth University’s student life and wellbeing support

One-to-one appointments and same-day drop-ins on campus with trained therapists are on hand for students suffering with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. More broadly, Falmouth’s student support and wellbeing teams offer guidance and help with all that student life involves — from academic issues to personal relationships. Students also have access to Spectrum Life, a free and confidential mental health support service available round the clock online, by phone or via a message app. 

There is the AMATA performance venue on Penryn campus, and workshops, studios and facilities are open on Wednesdays to students from across the university. The Sports Centre on Penryn Campus has a gym, sports hall and an outdoor orienteering route. The local area provides the setting for activities such as wild swimming and water sports.

Students can choose from more than 100 clubs to join, from surfing to LGBTQ+ groups. Cornwall’s coastal charms are hard to beat. The student-friendly social scene is bijou but not without buzz; think pop-up bars, beach bonfires, festivals and clubs on farms. Most of student life is within walking distance and Falmouth’s high street is the epicentre. Part-time jobs in the tourist trade help with living costs. 

What do the students say?

“Studying in Cornwall means you'll find beautiful beaches, cosy coffee shops, eclectic bars and cool vintage stores. Falmouth University and the University of Exeter share the students' union and the campus in Penryn, so there is a community of students from a diversity of backgrounds with a huge variety of interests and passions.”
Orestis Collins-Alamanos, vice-president of Falmouth & Exeter Students' Union, and a fashion marketing graduate

What about student accommodation at Falmouth University?

A place in halls of residence is guaranteed to all first-years who apply by the deadline. Students can opt to have meals included at the Glasney Student Village accommodation. Eight per cent of rooms are catered. 

How diverse and inclusive is Falmouth University?

Just inside the top 90 of our social inclusion index (89th), Falmouth’s outreach activities target schools and colleges in areas across the UK where progression rates to university are low. Initiatives include one-to-one peer support sessions with students to help applicants prepare for interviews.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Falmouth University

About two thirds of 2023’s new entrants qualified for financial assistance in the form of means-tested bursaries, international scholarships or hardship awards. The Falmouth bursary of £250 to £500 per year of study is awarded to students from households with incomes under £25,000. To help with the cost of course-related materials students may be eligible for a bursary of £100 to £400.