University of Portsmouth

There is nowhere like Portsmouth. Located on the UK’s south coast, the city is famous for its maritime and naval history. It is now also home to a wide range of contemporary exhibition spaces and independent businesses. It is a Top 10 most affordable cities for students in the UK (Natwest Student Living Index 2024).

The city campus places you in the centre of everything. You will be close to all amenities and a short walk from the seafront. There you can enjoy four miles of beach and the green spaces of the Southsea Common – perfect for warm summer evenings or refreshing winter walks.

The diverse community living in Portsmouth means you will feel welcome here. It also means that you will find international restaurants next to British pubs. So you can immerse yourself in British culture but also discover new cultures and stay connected to your roots through food.

The city is easy to get around. Everything is close by and the city is flat, so it is perfect for walking and cycling.

The University is here to support you so you can make the most of your time at Portsmouth.
Moving to a new country is exciting but also challenging, so the support begins before you travel. You can receive help to be prepared for UK university life, visa advice and secure accommodation even before you are a student at the University of Portsmouth.

While you are here, you have access to even more free services to help you navigate your new responsibilities and life as a student. The Finance team can help you learn to budget; the Careers and Employability team can help you find a part-time job while you study; and the Student Life team is here to help you navigate complex issues like mental health.

The support does not stop when you graduate. The Careers and Employability team is still available for you up to 5 years after you graduate.

The University of Portsmouth has superb facilities and the campus is always being improved. Recently, a £5.2 million Centre for Creative and Immersive XR (eXtended Reality) has been opened, giving the opportunity to students to use professional specialised equipment.

As a student, you will be taught in simulated environments. This means conducting mock trials in the replica courtroom; testing hypotheses in science labs; filming a student TV-show and more. Students also have access to laptops and computers with specialised software and the library is open 24/7 during term time, so you can access the resources you need whenever you need.

As part of a £250 million plan to develop the campus, the University built Ravelin Sports Centre. This is one of the most sustainable sports centres in the country. New buildings, including teaching spaces, labs, workshops and student spaces are in development as part of this plan. Like Ravelin Sports Centre, these spaces will be sustainable and make your student experience even better.

At the University of Portsmouth, there are over 150 student-led groups, from sport to culture, faith and much more. You can meet new friends, build your skills, discover new passions or share your interests and culture. Many events are organised throughout the academic year by the societies, from small get-togethers and socials to bigger celebrations, like the Holi colour run.

Whether you exercise regularly or want to start something new, you are welcome at Ravelin Sports Centre. This University gym has excellent facilities, including a 25m swimming pool with 8 lanes, a bouldering and climbing wall, fitness studios and squash courts.

If exercising alone is not for you, you can join one of the classes offered at Ravelin Sports Centre or join one of the 35 sports clubs. The sports teams take part in leagues and competitions against other universities. Alternatively, campus sports leagues offer a chance to compete socially against student and staff teams.

The University of Portsmouth is committed to be sustainable, achieving it through: carbon and emission management, environmental management and performance, recycling and waste management, and sustainable printing. Some of the initiatives that have been put into place include using electricity that is 100% from renewable sources and reducing carbon emissions further.

Sustainability is also embedded in the teaching at Portsmouth. A lot of courses offer the opportunity for students to learn more about sustainability in relation to their field of study. Protecting the environment is a key research theme of the University and world leading research is happening to build a bright future for all. One of the projects currently taking place is Revolution Plastics, tackling plastic pollution.