Bachelor in Coastal Cultures

The application deadline for Bachelor in Coastal Cultures is Aug 31, 2027. Tuition is 17,000 GBP per year.

From the rhythmic pulse of South Devon’s fishing ports to the complex social currents of Cornish surfing communities, this programme immerses students in the lived reality of maritime societies. By focusing on the South West of the United Kingdom as a living laboratory, the course interrogates how human identity is inextricably linked to the shoreline and the shifting tides of the Atlantic.

Students move beyond traditional classroom theory to examine:

• The socio-economic evolution of sea-based industries, ranging from historic dredging and commercial fishing to contemporary tourism and leisure activities.
• The Anthropocene's impact on coastal communities, specifically addressing sea-level rise and the ecological fragility of maritime ecosystems.
• Complex debates surrounding sovereignty, ownership, and the gentrification of coastal landscapes.
• Multi-species relations, exploring how humans coexist and compete within these highly contested environments.

This is an essential course for those who want to understand the human dimension of global warming and the impact of modern capitalism on the world's most vulnerable borders: our coasts.

University of Plymouth, situated on England’s southwest coast, is a modern, student-centred university with around 18,000 students and a welcoming international community. The campus blends contemporary facilities with strong industry links, particularly in marine science, health, engineering and business. Plymouth emphasises practical learning and employability, offering placements, internships and project-based modules that connect students directly with employers and local partners.

International students find Plymouth attractive for its supportive campus services, range of student societies and manageable city scale that balances urban amenities with coastal lifestyle. The university provides pre‑arrival guidance, English language support and dedicated international student teams to ease transition and help with accommodation, visas and wellbeing. Teaching approaches combine lectures, labs and applied projects, while research-active staff bring real-world problems into the classroom.

Graduates from Plymouth benefit from strong regional and national employer engagement, which can lead to placements, graduate roles and entrepreneurial support through incubators and career services. The city’s quality of life, lower cost compared with larger UK cities and emphasis on hands-on learning make Plymouth a practical choice for students seeking a balanced academic experience and strong prospects for work or further study after graduation.