Plymouth University alumni and friends

Today we’re sharing a photo from 1980 and asking if anyone remembers this Polytechnic building on Cobourg Street? What was it used for?

July news round-up: stories you might have missed.

Around 10,000 people were welcomed to the University of Plymouth last week for the annual Graduation celebrations. After the ceremonies had taken place in the Methodist Central Hall, the graduates, lecturers, family and friends gathered for a post-ceremony reception in the campus park, in glorious sunshine.

Plymouth researchers have led the production of a new report highlighting the impact of climate change on marine plankton and pelagic habitats in UK waters. It also demonstrates how these effects are being amplified by human activities, including commercial fishing and the development of offshore energy infrastructure, as well as run-off from agriculture and other land-based industries.

The University welcomed 26 students and staff from NSBM Green University Sri Lanka, HKU SPACE Hong Kong, Shanghai Jianqiao University, Shanghai Maritime University China, and Delta University for Science and Technology Egypt for a summer school of academic sessions and city exploration.

Medical student Sophie Lawrence is leading work for students to wear reusable scrub caps – and her impact has already been celebrated in the Houses of Parliament.

You can catch up on all the latest stories on our website via the link in comments below.

Today’s throwback photo looks down Portland Villas towards the centre of the campus, with what is now Mary Newman Halls of Residence visible in the distance. Does this street look familiar?

To continue this week's 50 years of Psychology celebration, we're sharing a group photo from 1978. See if you can spot some familiar faces!

This year marks 50 years since the first Psychology students graduated from what was then Plymouth Polytechnic, and earlier this week we were delighted to welcome a group of 40 alumni and staff from some of the earliest cohorts back to campus for a reunion!

Today’s photo has been kindly shared with us by Phil Wookey (centre) and features three Heads of School back in 1980! Do any of these faces look familiar?

A big thank you to Ian, who has shared this group photo of Geography staff and students from 1976, standing outside the recently opened SU! Do any of these faces look familiar?

💚 Today is University of Plymouth Thanking Day 💚

We're taking a moment to celebrate and thank the incredible community that supports and champions Plymouth.

Whether you're an alumnus, volunteer, mentor, donor, partner or friend of the University, you've helped make a difference to our students, researchers and wider community.

Your support helps people build confidence, discover opportunities and achieve things they never thought possible.
Thank you for being part of our story.

🎥 Watch our Thanking Day message via the link in comments below.

If you'd like to help create opportunities for current and future students, you can support the University via the link in comments below.

This week we’re diving into the pages of the 1976 Plymouth area student handbook! Both Perillas fish and chips and the Chapter and Verse bookshop opted to run adverts here. Did any of you send custom their way during your time here?

June News Round-up: stories you might have missed.

Professor Melanie Austen has been named among the 100 people to have made the greatest impact on the UK environmental sector over the past two years. She is one of only 10 academics featured in the 2026 ENDS Power List.

The University has been awarded up to £1.7 million funding by the UK Government to expand opportunities for students in programmes including science, engineering, computer science and artificial intelligence.

Student Milya Mohd Asyraf has designed an affordable device that can translate spoken words into written text in real time, directly in our field of vision. The project was Milya’s focus for her final year studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering, which she presented at the recent showcase.

The University has welcomed the Minister of State for Care to officially open its new high street Dental Education Practice. The £5 million clinic sees aspiring dentists and dental therapists care for patients without an NHS dentist who are suffering with pain, infection or trauma.

You can read all the latest news stories on our website via the link in comments below.