Falmouth University is a specialist creative university with a unique coastal location and a superb selection of postgraduate degree courses within the creative and technical industries.
Falmouth University was originally founded as Falmouth School of Art in 1902 and, as such, it has more than 120 years of experience in delivering creative education. Today, it is one of the most exciting contemporary creative schools in the UK. It offers a comprehensive selection of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, alongside a rare opportunity to study in one of the country's most attractive coastal locations – or, if preferred, online.
Falmouth provides a range of postgraduate courses - both on campus and online - spanning the full spectrum of creative arts. From film and photography to fine art and graphic design, professional writing, events management, and game design, there is an excellent variety of subject areas to choose from.
Postgraduate students can join Falmouth at several levels of study, including taught master's, research, and PhD courses.
Falmouth University delivers its courses across two Cornish campuses, in the towns of Penryn and Falmouth. Penryn Campus is the larger of the two, and operates in partnership with the University of Exeter, while the Falmouth Campus is located in Falmouth town centre.
The university is a stepping-stone to a successful career in the creative industries, and enjoys positive feedback from student reviewers.
There are over 30 master's degrees available, as well as both theoretical and practice-based research programmes leading to an MPhil or PhD, which are currently awarded through Falmouth's partnership with University of the Arts London.
The university conducts leading research in a number of creative fields, and distance learning options are also available for students who prefer to study remotely.
Falmouth University offers industry standard facilities across two campuses, designed with both cutting-edge technology and traditional studios and workshops. Students will find everything they need to bring ideas to life and develop their creative identity. Falmouth's extensive library collections provide a wealth of resources, including textbooks, archives, materials libraries, journals, audio-visual materials, and industry databases. These resources are curated in collaboration with departmental teams to ensure they meet the specific needs of postgraduate students, helping to equip them for success in their chosen creative field.
Both Falmouth and Penryn campuses provide a range of accommodation options for on-campus master's students. Whether students prefer private accommodation or shared housing, the university offers support to help postgraduate students find housing and settle in.
The local private sector has numerous options, and the accommodation team is available all year round to offer advice and assistance. Additionally, there are accommodation fairs and online databases, including the Cornwall Studentpad, a platform managed by the university's accommodation team. This resource connects students with local landlords and agents, offering a variety of listings for shared houses.
Falmouth University provides a range of scholarship and bursary opportunities for postgraduate students.
Since 2017, Falmouth University has offered doctoral studentships, which provide an opportunity to join a multidisciplinary research community focused on addressing societal challenges through research, innovation, technology, creativity, and the arts.
Part-time studentships are also available to apply to, covering tuition fees and a stipend over six years, representing a valuable pathway for aspiring researchers.
Visit website for more details.
UK and home fee status tuition fees for 2025 entry
EU students who hold settled or pre-settled status may qualify for Home fees. International tuition fees may differ, and overseas applicants are encouraged to check the university website for full details.
Falmouth postgraduate students benefit from studying a range of courses in a collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environment, situated in one of the UK's most stunning university locations, or online.
Taught courses include a blend of practical and contextual learning, delivered by a dedicated team of enthusiastic teaching staff, many of whom have international experience and are committed to the success of their students.
Student feedback often mentions their approachability and communication abilities. Staff guide postgraduate students as they delve deeper into their subject area, building a strong foundation of transferable skills which act as a platform towards professional practice or research level study.
Research and PhD students benefit from being supervised by highly qualified tutors and teams, many of whom are involved in active work in some of the most innovative and interesting areas of research within the creative arts and its associated industries.
100% of Falmouth University's research impact case studies and 63.4% of its research outputs have been rated as being world-leading or internationally excellent (4* and 3*) in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF2021).
The university offers postgraduate courses in person and online in the following subject areas:
Falmouth offers a selection of taught postgraduate courses across the creative arts spectrum, both on campus and online. There are over 30 programs to choose from, ranging from film and photography to fine art, graphic design, professional writing, events management, and game design. Students are fully supported by the university and its expert teaching staff, who deliver the curriculum via a diversity of methods including lectures, workshops, studio sessions, and guest speaking events.
Falmouth's research students gain valuable insights from highly qualified academics and practitioners, many of whom are engaged in cutting-edge work of their own. The research community at the university is constantly growing, both in population and impact.
Long established as a leading centre for art and design related courses, Falmouth's recent success in the REF 2021 assessment, in which 100% of the university's research impact case studies and 63.4% of its research outputs was rated as being world-leading or internationally excellent (4* and 3*), is a healthy indicator of the school's future performance.
Falmouth University's online master's degrees provide professionals with the opportunity to advance their careers while specialising their skills. These flexible programs are designed to fit around work and other commitments. Students benefit from experienced lecturers, rigorous coursework, interactive webinars, and industry networking opportunities. All online degrees are designed specifically to be studied online, rather than amended from on-campus programmes, and so provide a high quality and authentic learning experience for students.
Falmouth specialises in a number of creative fields. It has one of the strongest games design courses in the world (Princeton Review, 2025), at the Games Academy, and also has a particularly successful art and design programme.
These departments produce some of the university's most accomplished research work, and Falmouth has enjoyed excellent feedback in the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment (REF 2021). In the field of art and design, 100% of Falmouth University's research impact case studies and 63.4% of its research outputs have been rated as being world-leading or internationally excellent (4* and 3*), which represents significant progress since REF 2014
Falmouth town is a unique university location, surrounded by beaches, harbours and some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere in the country. Students have lots to explore, and can readily get around by public transport. Falmouth is a busy town, with an array of independent shops, cafes and bars, alongside larger chain stores.
Falmouth is able to offer a wide range of clubs and societies through its collaboration with the University of Exeter Students' Union. The selection is broad and includes many sports teams that make good use of the university's sports facilities. Falmouth's coastal location makes it an ideal place to pursue water sports and other outdoor activities, such as sailing, surfing, hiking and sea swimming.
The Falmouth University Students' Union is an independent student-run organisation that represents the voice of the student community and co-ordinates more than 100 clubs and special interest societies. It is combined with the University of Exeter Students' Union, and organises an exciting yearly timetable of activities, as well as access to a comprehensive programme of support services.
Falmouth University understands the challenges many postgraduate students face when moving to a new area, or getting back into education. The university is committed to offering a wide platform of support services to ensure that every student receives the assistance they need to succeed both academically and personally.
Falmouth University was the first specialist institution to achieve the University Mental Health Charter Award in 2025, a national accreditation recognising sector-leading mental health and wellbeing support for students. The University Mental Health Charter Award from UK mental health charity Student Minds has only been awarded to a small number of universities that have demonstrated embedded wellbeing support across every part of their university experience, from course design and delivery to the way students are supported to live, learn and thrive.
Student services offer advice and guidance while also directing students to additional resources if needed. There is free, confidential counselling available, and Falmouth's support services have been highly praised by student reviewers.
Services include:
What's more, Falmouth students are also able to access many of the support networks provided by the University of Exeter, giving them access to even more resources and groups of postgraduate learners who may be going through similar challenges and can offer reassurance and guidance.
Falmouth's postgraduate students have many advantages when it comes to finding creative work after graduation. From the quality of the university's curriculum to the growing success of its international research output, as well as the industry connections to which students are exposed throughout the duration of their course, there are plenty of reasons to feel confident in building a strong career plan and setting it in motion.
Students are supported by the employability team, who can help them find internships, placements, build portfolios and CVs.
Falmouth's employability team is the university's main department for advice and career-focused resources. They are trained advisors who work with postgraduate students and researchers to guide them onto the career paths they aspire to after their studies. The employability team is available throughout the year to assist and advise with job seeking and employment applications, and there is a large quantity of information online which students have access to from anywhere in the world.
