Employee benefits

Enjoy our comprehensive package of core and flexible benefits

The University's culture of innovation actively encourages people to be creative and to do things differently
We work with our core values to create a continuous learning and development plan personal to you, ensuring you’re constantly challenged, engaged and invigorated.

Enjoy our comprehensive package of benefits and be part of a fresh community, where we communicate clearly, embrace diversity and value ideas.

Settling in

Whatever your role we’ll ensure you receive a warm welcome and are supported as part of our team, making sure you feel equipped and ready to do your job. Your manager will provide you with all the information you'll need in your first few weeks, and introduce you to your colleagues and the University campus. This planned personalised induction programme promotes mutual respect and ensures there’s good communication between managers and employees from the outset.

You’ll also attend a Welcome to the University event where you’ll hear more about our vision and values, and begin to experience how it feels to be part of the University of Plymouth.

It’s also a great networking opportunity that will help you start building strong contacts and connections right from the beginning.

Drake's Place in the sunshine

Core benefits

Your salary

Developed in line with the National Framework Agreement for Higher Education Institutions, our pay structure uses a single pay spine underpinned by analytical job evaluation. Pay for employees on a senior manager contract is negotiated locally and is not part of the framework agreement. 

Salaries are normally reviewed annually and many staff are on incremental scales. You’ll usually be paid on the 25th day of the month, dependent on which day of the week this falls, and pay is credited directly to your bank or building society account.

University of Plymouth campus

Occupational pension schemes

You’ll be eligible to join generous national public sector occupational pension schemes relevant to your post. Your percentage contribution will depend on your salary. Read more about University of Plymouth personal pensions.

Annual leave

Senior managers, professors, academics, researchers and staff on professional terms and conditions (grade 7 and above) are entitled to 35 days leave per annum. Professional services and operational facilities staff (grade 6 and below) are entitled to 25 days leave per annum.

Flexible working

Each faculty will take account of the needs of individual members of staff. Requests for changes to working patterns to fit in with family-life/caring responsibilities will be considered fully and, subject to operational needs, will be supported where reasonably practicable.

Family-friendly policies

We have a range of family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave to support our employees. We also have facilities for expectant and nursing mothers. In addition, Freshlings Nursery offers childcare to University of Plymouth staff and students, and childcare vouchers are also available.

Performance Development Review (PDR)

Providing a framework for honest and open two-way feedback, your annual PDR allows you to make a development plan to meet your own individual objectives. It’s also a place to check on progress and ensure we’re supporting you, so that you're confident in delivering what really matters and can achieve your own ambitions, as well as those of the University.

Learning and development

Here at the University we understand that our success revolves around the people who work here. Together we’re building a culture where ideas become reality. Where knowledge and education genuinely transform lives. We’re equipping staff to fulfil their potential so that together we can build on our collective strength and deliver our vision.

All new academic staff at the University are required to hold, or be working towards gaining, a teaching qualification or accreditation in higher education. 

University of Plymouth Charles Seale Hayne Library bookshelves
Drake's Place Garden and Reservoir

Health and wellbeing at work

Working with the University of Plymouth you'll have access to a range of facilities and programmes supporting your health and wellbeing.

Occupational Health Service

Access advice and information on employment and other health issues with our Occupational Health Service.

University pastoral and spiritual support (chaplaincy)

Pop in to find a welcoming face and a friendly ear, as well as a multi-faith prayer room. Find out more on our spiritual support pages.

Flexible benefits

The University is working with Sodexo, to offer an extensive range of flexible benefits for University of Plymouth staff under the MyBenefits Portal, which is available to access upon joining. This will offer exclusive access to a full range of discounted opportunities including deals on retail/shopping, dining, days out, holidays, local cinema, theatre access, IT and much more. Existing staff can access current offers at MyBenefits Portal.
You will also have access to campus leisure facilities such as free swimming, sports membership and access to activity classes as well as the cycle to work scheme.
We want to help you to make the most of our location – a thriving waterfront city in the heart of the South West with all it has to offer. Come and join us.
Plymouth Hoe showing Plymouth Sound