University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

Coordinates: 50°25′14″N 04°06′36″W / 50.42056°N 4.11°W / 50.42056; -4.11

University College Plymouth St Mark & St John (Marjon)
Motto	Abeunt studia in mores ""out of studies comes character".
Established	1923
Type	Independent Church of England voluntary
Principal	Professor Margaret Noble
Students	5,000 full and part-time
Location	Plymouth, United Kingdom
Website	Official website

The University College Plymouth St Mark & St John, commonly referred to as Marjon, is a higher education campus based university college on the edge of Plymouth, England.

History

Marjon' s history in higher education goes back to the foundation by the National Society (now National Society for Promoting Religious Education) of the constituent colleges of St John’s Battersea (1840) and St Mark’s College, Chelsea (1841) a contender for Third oldest university in England debate.

The College of St Mark was founded on the belief of Derwent Coleridge, its first Principal, that the primary purpose of the College must be to widen the educational horizons of its students. Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth established St. John's to provide teacher training to meet the social and economic needs of industrialisation based on the concept of education as self realisation. Both Colleges stressed the importance of interchange between academic study and broader experience; and the role of an enlightened teaching profession in furthering social and economic development. Both Colleges were among the first to open access to degree level study outside the universities. The two Colleges merged in 1923, establishing a single institution in Chelsea which developed a wider reputation for academic excellence and commitment to teaching. The College moved to Plymouth in 1973, and its educational activities have continued to evolve in response to local, regional, national and international needs. In 1991 the College became affiliated to the University of Exeter, which accredited it to run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to degree awards of the University. In 2007, it gained university college status it has been able to award its own degrees. With the new status came the name of University College Plymouth St Mark & St John.

Campus

Marjon is based at a small campus located between Dartmoor National Park and the coast, a few miles away from the city centre of Plymouth around a 20 minute bus-ride.^[1] The campus is between the hospital and airport.

The Peninsula Allied Health Centre (PAHC) on the campus enables 1000 University of Plymouth students from Devon and Cornwall to study a range of health therapies, providing opportunities for shared learning across health professions.

Updated facilities include a Sports Centre,^[2] dining hall, retail area and reception.

Academic life

UCP Marjon has an academic community of 15,000 people and attracts students from all over the UK and overseas. The institution is most widely recognised for its expertise in Education and sport, it offers a choice of almost 30 different BA and BSc degrees.^[3]

In the news

In the 2007 and 2008 Sunday Times University Guide, UCP Marjon was ranked a top 5 University College. In 2 of the last 4 national student surveys, UCP Marjon has ranked top 10 for overall student satisfaction. The latest national employability stats rate UCP Marjon at 95% ,^[4] although fewer than average (63.2%) get graduate-level jobs.

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses are taught both on campus and overseas, with UCP Marjon lecturers delivering learning in countries such as Mexico and Ethiopia.

UCP Marjon has developed a new modern Swoosh logo and no longer uses the traditional Lion and Lamb crest as the main domestic visual identity. Although opinion is divided, some detractors believe it resembles a shoe company logo.^[5]

More than 93 per cent of UCP Marjon's graduates are either in employment or continuing in higher education, it has been revealed.^[4]

Graham Dawe, head coach at Plymouth Albion, received the honour^{[clarification needed]} from University College Plymouth St Mark & St John (Marjon), for his "contribution to the fabric of society". ^[6]

Alumni

• Bernard Cornwell
• Harry Greenway, Former MP for Ealing North
• Paul Potts ^[7]

References

1. ^ Web Team. "Plymouth City Council". Plymouth.gov.uk. http://www.plymouth.gov.uk//. Retrieved 2011-02-24. 
2. ^ "A MASSIVE new sports centre at UCP Marjon has officially opened to the public". Thisisplymouth.co.uk. http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Marjon-s-centre-triumph/article-2650681-detail/article.html. Retrieved 2011-02-24. 
3. ^ "BA/BSc Degree - University College Plymouth St Mark & St John". Marjon.ac.uk. http://www.marjon.ac.uk/courses/courses/coursesearchbylevelofstudy/babscdegree/. Retrieved 2011-02-24. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "MORE than 93 per cent of UCP Marjon's graduates are either in employment or continuing in higher education, it has been revealed". Thisisplymouth.co.uk. http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Graduates-Marjon-make-20/article-2533197-detail/article.html. Retrieved 2011-02-24. 
5. ^ http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Air-Jordan-Alpha-1-Outdoor-University-Blue-White-Love-Of-Game-1.jpg
6. ^ "A former English rugby international and tireless Westcountry charity worker has been handed an honorary degree". Thisisplymouth.co.uk. http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Honour-rugby-star-dedicated-charities/article-2576486-detail/article.html. Retrieved 2011-02-24. 
7. ^ December 2, 2009 (2009-12-02). "Mystery Solved: Paul Potts is a Marjon Graduate. — Roadturn". Roadturn.com. http://roadturn.com/life/mystery-solved-paul-potts-is-a-marjon-graduate/. Retrieved 2011-02-24. 

External links

• Student Union section of official website