University of St Mark and St John

HISTORY

The university’s history dates back to the foundation by the National Society (now National Society for Promoting Religious Education) of the constituent London colleges of St John’s College in Battersea, London (1840) and St Mark’s College in Chelsea, London (1841).

The St Mark’s College was founded on the belief of Rev Derwent Coleridge, its first principal and son of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge that its primary purpose was to widen the educational horizons of its students. St John’s College was established by Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth, together with Edward Carleton Tufnell, to provide teacher training to meet the social and economic needs of 19th-century industrialisation and promoted the concept of education as self-realisation. Both colleges stressed the importance of applied education, the interface between academic study and broader experience and the role of an enlightened teaching profession in furthering social and economic development. The two colleges were among the first to open access to degree level study outside the established universities.

The colleges merged in 1923, establishing a single institution in Chelsea which developed a wider reputation for academic excellence and commitment to teaching. The College of St Mark & St John then moved to Plymouth in 1973 when the Chelsea site became too small, 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 of Exeter. In 2007, the College of St Mark & St John gained University College status and was able to award its own degrees. With the new status came the temporary name of University College Plymouth St Mark & St John. The University of St Mark & St John, which now awards its own undergraduate and taught postgraduate degrees, still enjoys a strong relationship with the University of Exeter which continues to award research degrees to students of the university.

COURSES  

The university has over 70 taught programmes of study with teaching informed by research. There are three faculties. These are:

• Sport & Health Sciences
• Education & Social Sciences
• Culture & Language Sciences

It has a reputation for teaching quality and student support and offers small classes. Programmes have links with employers. In 2013 the university became the first in Devon and Cornwall to be awarded Stonewall Diversity Champion status. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are advised to check the university website for specific course entry requirements.

The university is committed to its outstanding record for social mobility and will consider applications from students with different prior experience.

GCSE A–C in English and Maths are required.

ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

A distinct values-based university with high academic standards across three faculties of Sport & Health Sciences; Education & Social Sciences; and Culture & Language Sciences

Students gain additional skills and experience by being exposed to the ‘Marjon EDGE’: a range of Entrepreneurial, Digital, Global and Ethical insights and skills each student has the opportunity to develop.

Small class sizes and high levels of class contact lead to significant added value. Expert lecturers who are currently practicing in their field get to know their students personally and work with them as individuals.

All students are supported by an Academic Adviser who looks after a group of eight students and supports them through their studies.

Work placements and partnerships with employers are at the core of many programmes and over 94% of students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2015).

Students have easy access to cutting-edge facilities such as sport laboratories, health science clinics, live music studios, radio and TV editing suites, a theatre and simulated classrooms for trainee teachers.

Some courses include extra coaching and professional qualifications to accelerate students’ graduate career prospects.

Marjon is the top university in the UK for social mobility (Graduate Social Mobility Index 2014).

TEACHING STANDARDS

The university has developed a highly effective learning environment with small class sizes, high levels of class contact, world-class facilities and outstanding student support.

All modules are taught by highly qualified lecturers: the university has one of the highest percentages of staff with PhDs and university teaching qualifications.

Many academic staff are also practising professionals in the sectors of health, sport and creative arts and use their current practice and networks to inform their teaching.

In the 2015 NSS the majority of programmes achieved results well above the sector average of 86% for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey.

In the Faculty of Education & Social Sciences the BA Children and Young People and BA Early Years programmes both achieved 100% and the BEd Secondary Education with Physical Education achieved 94% overall satisfaction.

In the Faculty of Culture & Language Sciences the BSc Speech and Language Therapy programme scored 94% and BSc Speech Sciences achieved 90% student satisfaction.

In the Faculty of Sport & Health Sciences the BEd Physical Education achieved 94%, BSc Applied Sport Sciences for Coaching achieved 94%, and BSc Coach and Physical Education and BSc Health Exercise and Physical Activity both achieved 91%.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

The university achieves graduate employability rates consistently above the national average and in 2015 94% of students were in employment or further study six months after graduating.

Their experienced Employability Team offers resources, support and advice on how to develop the necessary skills and profile to secure employment.

This service continues to be available after graduation.