Overview

The University of Portsmouth is the 5th most popular destination in the UK for EU students and the 10th most popular destination for overseas (Non-EU) students. The departments of Economics, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Pharmacy and Pharmacology attract some of the largest populations of international students in the United Kingdom.Portsmouth has been rated as the 5th best modern university in the UK by The Times Good University Guide and 56th overall.

Sports are very important at the University of Portsmouth and have put the city on the map. The University of Portsmouth has hosted world-class sailing and maritime events such as the Global Challenge, La Solitaire du Figaro, Volvo Ocean Race and several International Festivals of the Sea. Fratton Park, the home of Portsmouth Football Club is very close to the University.  Portsmouth are 2008 FA Cup winners and have reached the finals again in 2010.

Take a virtual tour of the University of Portsmouth

Services for International Students

The University of Portsmouth runs pre-sessional English language courses for students who have applied to the University for all levels of study. Please follow the link on the University website for more information.

To support students whose first language is not English and to help them succeed in the academic programmes, the University of Portsmouth offers classes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). They will help students to adjust to the English university system and ensure that they are fully equipped to write essays and reports and to make effective presentations. The School of Languages and Area Studies provides classes in:

• essay writing (including referencing and citations)
• literature review writing
• dissertation writing
• giving a presentation
• critical thinking and writing
• technical writing
• grammar and academic style

Classes are free of charge to all international students during the first year of their studies.

Location

Portsmouth is a thriving island city on the south coast of England. It offers something for everyone, whether it's history, shopping, entertainment or sport. Situated on the Solent, opposite the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth is a busy cosmopolitan naval and commercial port with around 200,000 inhabitants, 20,000 of which are students. The University of Portsmouth has around 3500 international students from over 100 different countries.

The University of Portsmouth's seaside location makes it very easy to enjoy the pebbled beaches, long walks in the public gardens and sports all year round.

Portsmouth has a strong maritime heritage due to being the home of the Royal Navy. The Historic Dockyard houses 3 historic ships including Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory. Portsmouth also offers entertainment such as 12 museums, 2 theatres and 3 shopping areas: City Centre for traditional high street shops, Southsea Centre for a mix of independant boutiques and Gunwharf Quays with over 80 designer outlets and the location of the Spinnaker Tower!

Many global companies have come to Portsmouth such as BAE Systems, EADS Astrium, VT Shipbuilding and the UK headquarters of IBM. Tourism also brings in many jobs in hospitality and retail all year round.

With its ideal location, Portsmouth is a gateway to the continent and other UK cities. The fast trains take 90 minutes to central London, 1 hour 30 to Gatwick Airport, 30 minutes to Southampton Airport and 2 hours 30 to Heathrow Airport by coach. As a busy ferry port, links are available to the Isle of Wight, France and Spain.

The University of Portsmouth campus is right in the heart of this thriving multicultural city making it easy to walk between buildings.

Accomodation at the University of Portsmouth

There are two types of accommodation available to students in Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth-allocated accommodation or private rented accommodation. 

The majority of University of Portsmouth-allocated accommodation is halls of residence on three sites:

•Guildhall Campus: Bateson Hall, Harry Law Hall, Trafalgar Hall, James Watson Hall, Margaret Rule Hall
•Langstone Student Village: QEQM Hall, Trust Hall, Langstone Flats
•Southsea: Rees Hall, Burrell House

All new international (non-EU) students starting a full-time course at the University of Portsmouth in September 2010 are guaranteed an offer of a place in the University of Portsmouth allocated accommodation for the first year of study, provided the University of Portsmouth has received a completed accommodation application form and £200 advanced rent payment in cleared funds by the deadline of 06 August 2010. Details of how to apply for accommodation will be sent to students when they hold an Unconditional Firm offer with the University of Portsmouth.

Health Services

The University of Portsmouth has a team of experts on hand in case you have any health-related issues. We advise our students to register with a local doctor and dentist upon arrival and we can provide a full list of available surgeries, including our full time GPs practice situated adjacent to the Nuffield Centre. 

If you've got something on your mind, talking to someone often helps. Our team of experienced counsellors, male and female, are here to offer professional help and support with a wide range of emotional, personal and academic concerns. Students approach us from all over the University and for all sorts of reasons.

 

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