University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth has been rated 5 Stars by QS Top Universities 2025 and awarded TEF Gold by the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
The University of Portsmouth is located on the South Coast of England, with its campus in the heart of the seaside city of Portsmouth. It offers the convenience of city living alongside the relaxed atmosphere of the coast.
The University is home to 28,000 students, including 5,700 international students from over 150 countries, creating a vibrant and diverse global community. With more than 150 student-led groups, clubs and societies, you will find plenty of opportunities to connect, make friends and build your network.
Awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), Portsmouth blends academic study with practical learning, preparing you for the working world. You will benefit from dedicated career and employability services throughout your studies and for up to five years after graduation. Impressively, 93% of graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their degree (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23).
By completing the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) or International Year One (IYOne) at UFC, students can progress to the University of Portsmouth, unlocking world-class education and career opportunities.
Life at the University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is located in the heart of the city, so everything you need is close by, from the library to the sea. Getting around is straightforward, with walkable streets, cycle-friendly routes, and a network of buses, including free University services.
The University is home to 28,000 students, including 5,700 international students from more than 150 countries, creating a vibrant global community. With such cultural diversity, Portsmouth offers a wide range of international food shops and restaurants where you can enjoy new flavours or the familiar tastes of home.
The city has something for everyone: independent restaurants for food lovers, the Hot Walls art studios for creatives, beaches for outdoor enthusiasts, and the Ravelin Sports Centre for athletes. With over 150 student-led groups, you will have countless opportunities to make friends, explore new passions, and share your culture.
Portsmouth is also well connected, making it easy to explore the rest of the UK and Europe. London is just a direct train away, and major airports can be reached in only a few hours by public transport.
At Portsmouth, courses are designed to prepare you for the world of work. You will learn from industry experts and develop your skills using professional-grade facilities. With 93% of graduates in work or further study (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23), you will be joining a strong and dynamic network of alumni.
The University’s careers and employability services are available throughout your studies and for up to five years after graduation, free of charge. Support includes:
One-to-one careers advice
Help in finding part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities or graduate roles
Access to an online jobs board
Career skills workshops
Online advice and resources
CV and cover letter support
Interview preparation and practice
Many courses also offer a flexible placement year, giving you the chance to build your CV and make valuable professional connections. Through the Connected Degrees programme, you can choose whether to take your placement between your second and third year, or after your third year. The University will support you in securing opportunities with world-leading companies.
Portsmouth is a city like no other. Located on the south coast of the UK, it is renowned for its maritime and naval history and is now also home to contemporary exhibition spaces and a variety of independent businesses. Ranked among the Top 10 most affordable student cities in the UK (NatWest Student Living Index 2024), it offers great value alongside a rich cultural experience.
The city campus puts you at the centre of everything. All amenities are close by, and the seafront is only a short walk away. There you will find four miles of beach and the open green spaces of Southsea Common, perfect for relaxing summer evenings or refreshing winter walks.
With its diverse community, Portsmouth offers a welcoming atmosphere. You will find international restaurants alongside traditional British pubs, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in British culture while also discovering new flavours and staying connected to your own.
Getting around is easy. The city is compact and flat, making it ideal for walking and cycling.
The University is here to support you so that you can make the most of your time at Portsmouth. Moving to a new country is exciting but can also feel challenging, which is why the support starts before you even arrive. You will receive guidance on preparing for UK university life, visa advice, and help securing accommodation before you become a student at the University of Portsmouth.
Once you are here, you will have access to a wide range of free services to help you adjust to student life. The Finance team can support you with budgeting, the Careers and Employability team can help you find part-time work during your studies, and the Student Life team is available to guide you through important issues such as mental health and wellbeing.
Support continues even after graduation. The Careers and Employability team remains available for up to five years, helping you take the next steps in your career.
Whether you choose to live in University halls of residence or rent privately, the University Housing team will help you find your home away from home.
There is a wide range of halls to choose from, including rooms in apartment-style or corridor-style flats, self-catered or catered options, studios, and mixed or same-sex flats. If you live in halls, the ResLife team will be on hand to support you as you settle into university life.
All new, full-time students who accept an offer and meet the accommodation deadlines are guaranteed a room in halls. These halls are located in the heart of the city, placing you close to campus, the seafront, and all essential amenities.
Portsmouth also has plenty of privately rented accommodation both in and around the city. To make the process easier, the University provides a list of verified landlords and properties, so you can secure housing with confidence.
The University of Portsmouth offers outstanding facilities, with continuous investment to enhance the campus. A recent addition is the £5.2 million Centre for Creative and Immersive XR (Extended Reality), where students can access professional-grade equipment and cutting-edge technology.
Students benefit from practical, simulated learning environments. This includes conducting mock trials in a replica courtroom, experimenting in science labs, producing shows in a student TV studio, and more. You will also have access to laptops and computers with specialised software, while the library is open 24/7 during term time, ensuring you can study and access resources whenever you need.
As part of a £250 million campus development plan, the University has opened the Ravelin Sports Centre, one of the most sustainable sports facilities in the UK. New teaching spaces, labs, workshops and student areas are also being developed, designed with sustainability in mind to further enrich your student experience.
At the University of Portsmouth, you can choose from more than 150 student-led groups covering sport, culture, faith and many other interests. These societies are a great way to meet new friends, develop skills, discover passions, or share your culture. Throughout the year, they organise events ranging from small socials to large celebrations such as the Holi colour run.
Ravelin Sports Centre, the University’s state-of-the-art gym, is open to everyone whether you already exercise regularly or want to try something new. Its facilities include a 25-metre, 8-lane swimming pool, a bouldering and climbing wall, fitness studios and squash courts.
If you prefer exercising with others, you can join one of the many fitness classes or take part in one of 35 sports clubs. University teams compete in leagues and tournaments against other universities, while campus sports leagues provide the chance to play socially against other student and staff teams.
The University of Portsmouth is committed to sustainability, focusing on areas such as carbon and emissions management, environmental performance, recycling and waste reduction, and sustainable printing. Initiatives already in place include using 100% renewable electricity and working to cut carbon emissions even further.
Sustainability is also embedded in teaching and research. Many courses give students the chance to explore sustainability within their subject area, while protecting the environment is a core research theme of the University. World-leading projects, such as Revolution Plastics, are tackling global challenges like plastic pollution and helping to build a brighter future for all.
RANKING
The University has been rated 5 Stars (QS Top Universities 2025)
The University has been awarded TEF Gold (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Search Programmes at the University of Portsmouth
Discover a wide range of undergraduate degrees at the University of Portsmouth, an NCUK partner university. Use the NCUK University Course Finder to explore programmes by subject area and find the perfect course for your academic and career goals.
How to Apply
We have an experienced team of admissions staff waiting to talk you through your options at University Foundation College and beyond, helping you to make decisions today which will positively influence your education and career.
We will provide you with personal counselling and support as you make the transition from high school to University Foundation College and then to your university degree programme.