Welcome to Plymouth College of Art, where you are now a member of a very special, as well as specialist, arts community, run by artists and designers for artists and designers. We believe in high quality education for life in contemporary arts practice, as the creative catalyst for personal, professional and cultural transformation.

We place the aspirations and support needs of every student at the very heart of our creative enterprise and your Student Handbook is designed for you as an easy point of reference for guidelines and advice on all aspects of your studentship and describes some of the facilities available to you. I hope you find it useful.

Here at the College we know that studentship is not just a matter of skills - it is also a question of attributes: creative confidence, commitment, imagination and resilience. Qualities where we don't just count what can be measured - we measure what counts. We know that these qualities are the key to your personal and creative development, transformation and fulfilment. They are what make you, here and now; an artist, a filmmaker, a costume designer, an animator, a photographer - a maker. And they are also what drives your practice across art forms.

So in these terms we celebrate social and cultural diversity, and encourage engagement with the community and cross-cultural dimensions of learning locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. We respect the environment, and have a strong commitment to sustainability, and we aspire to the highest standards of contemporary art practice and achievement.

We hope that you will share these values, and make them your own. Most of all, we expect you to take ownership of, and responsibility for, your learning; your studentship, in other words. In the Student Handbook you will find pastoral and academic information and advice covering studentship, learner support, resources, assessments and useful contacts and guidance to help you on your journey.

Use this advice, so we can help you to help yourself.

I look forward to meeting you in your time here and I wish you every success.