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University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth

  • Location: Seaside, City

Student life

From watersports to festivals, Portsmouth is an inspiring place to live and study. There’s a wealth of lively music, comedy and theatre venues, great independent and designer shopping options for all budgets, fantastic food from around the world – including traditional seaside fish’n’chips – and amazing options for active living. 

Social and learning events put on by the Students’ Union help students feel part of a community at the University. The Residence Life team runs a varied social events programme for all new students. 

And when you want to take a break from it all, you can find safe, supportive spaces like the campus Chaplaincy (for people of all faiths and none) or simply stop and watch the waves as the sun sets on the Solent.

Student reviews reflect the high availability and open-door policy of support services, which include:

  • Academic support
  • Personal support - including support for students with disabilities
  • Dedicated facilities for various religions
  • Counselling and mental health support
  • Health and medical care
  • Student finance
  • Housing support 

What's it like to live in South East?
Check out our region guide

South East England is made up of nine counties, with popular student cities in Brighton & Hove, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading, and Southampton.

The area sees plenty of sunshine and Brighton – the LGBTQ+ capital of the UK – is a student favourite, with tons of quirky shops, cafes, arts, nightlife and watersports.

Moving east into Kent, you'll find the charming towns of Whitstable, Broadstairs, and Margate – all bursting with literary history – plus the iconic landmarks of Dover’s white cliffs and Canterbury Cathedral.

London is an hour or two away for gigs, theatre trips and capital city adventures, while the country’s two largest airports – Heathrow and Gatwick – mean international journeys are easy to get started.

Learn more

What's it like to live in Portsmouth?
Check out our city guide

Considering Portsmouth for your studies? Enjoy a coastal city packed with naval heritage, vibrant student life, and easy access to beaches and culture.

Learn more

Campus and facilities

Our campus is woven into the heart of Portsmouth. Your learning spaces, library, sports facilities and halls of residence rub shoulders with shops, bars, restaurants, cafés and venues, including the beautiful Victorian New Theatre Royal and Grade II listed Portsmouth Guildhall. It’s always buzzing. Yet the beach, miles of green spaces and stunning sea views are only a short walk away. 

At Portsmouth, you’ll find a campus evolving in all kinds of exciting ways – from advanced facilities like our Future Technology Centre and Motion Capture Studios, to our sustainable Sports Centre, set in a community orchard. Our £250 million masterplan means the campus will keep developing during your studies, creating amazing experiences and new possibilities for your learning. 

Transport links are excellent, too. You can get to central London by rail in 90 minutes, travel by sea to France and Spain, and for places further away, Gatwick, Heathrow and Southampton airports are all in reach. 

 

Course locations

Main Site

University House, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, PO1 2UP

Waltham Forest College

707 Forest Road, London, E17 4JB

City of Portsmouth College

City of Portsmouth College, Tangier Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6PZ

Isle of Wight College - CECAMM Centre

The Island Technology Park, Whippingham Road, East Cowes, PO32 6FY

University of Portsmouth London

Juniper House, Walthamstow, London, E17 9PH

South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh College

Chestnut Ave, Eastleigh, SO50 5FS

Isle of Wight College

Medina Way, Newport, PO30 5TA

South Hampshire College Group - Fareham College

Bishopsfield Rd, Fareham, PO14 1NH

Havant and South Downs College - South Downs Campus

College Road, Waterlooville, PO7 8AA

Peter Symonds College

Peter Symonds College, Owens Road, Winchester, SO22 6RX

Chichester College

Westgate Fields, Chichester, PO19 1SB