As a maritime college, Plymouth University was founded in 1862. It is a leading modern higher education institution in the world. It has been awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for three times. It has the world-class research pedigree and innovative educational ideas.

In 1928, accompanied by houen, Xu Zhimo visited the datington manor of Puda (later known as the Dartington Academy of Art), and praised: "datington is the fastest shortcut to paradise on earth as I know it. Nature is very kind to datington, just like pure and beautiful poetry, without noisy noise."

In the early 20th century, the University opened degree courses in science and engineering. Nobel laureate George Bernard Shaw donated the first undergraduate dormitory in 1929.

In the 1960s, puhk was granted the status of Plymouth Polytechnic by the British Parliament. The teaching focus began to shift from application-oriented degree education to research-oriented education provider in science and business.

In the 1980s, Plymouth Polytechnic, Exeter School of art and design, Rolle Institute of education and Searle Hain Agricultural College merged into the Southwest Institute of technology.

In 1992, the Southwest Institute of technology gained the status of research university and changed its name to Plymouth University.

In 2007, the University of Exxon and the University of Cornwall jointly established a unique partnership with the University of Southland medical school, the University of England, and the University of Cornwall to jointly establish a new school of dental education in the UK Shortage.

On August 26, 2003, the science and education channel of CCTV released a series of documentaries entitled "world famous universities". Plymouth University ranked among 100 world famous universities and was evaluated as "a famous university integrating traditional theoretical research and innovative teaching mode".

In 2012, Peninsula Medical and Dental College was officially incorporated into Plymouth University, making it the first modern university with its own medical college.

In November 2019, she won the 13th Queen's anniversary Award for "groundbreaking research on revealing the scope of microplastics and garbage in the ocean and their impact on marine life and food chain".

In December 2019, Plymouth University issued a new ten-year plan, namely the 2030 strategic plan. The plan points out that the university plans to be top 30 national and top 250 international by 2030.