Biological Sciences
International Students and the School of Biological Sciences
The City
Portsmouth is a city steeped in British heritage; it was established as the first naval dock in the world in the 1500s and has been home to the main UK navy ever since and is one of the most important cities on the South Coast of England. It is a thriving, cosmopolitan city, with over 200000 inhabitants. It has close links to the major airports (Heathrow is only 1 hour away) and trains go into central London in a little over an hour. Excellent sea links can also take you to Spain and France or further a field.
“Friends and family recommended Portsmouth as a thriving and lively city with a University that has many international students and a diverse culture.”
Yasaman Malekizadeh, Second year BSc Biochemistry. Home country: Iran.
The Courses
Biological sciences have been studied extensively at Portsmouth for over 50 years with a successful and diverse academic community that has supported hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate UK and international students. Our biology degrees are concerned with understanding function at all levels, from the molecular to the global in the context of 21st century biology. The National Student Survey placed us 12th out of 60 UK institutions for 2009. Staff within the School are at the forefront of international research on topics ranging from the molecular to the ecosystems. This ensures that all key areas will be covered within the courses and that novel research developments can feed rapidly into them.
“The course has so far been very interesting covering a lot of diverse biological subjects which should provide me with a solid background for subsequent specialisation in years 2 and 3.
Samson Yuen, First Year BSc Marine Biology. Home country: Hong Kong.
Support for International students
Moving to a new country and city can be challenging so for international students the International Office has a dedicated team of advisors acting as a single contact point. There is a mentoring scheme to help make friends and settle in and a graduate employment scheme with extensive job opportunities. You will also be assigned an academic tutor from the School who you will have regular meetings with you to ensure that your academic progress is excellent.
To support students whose first language is not English and to help them succeed in the academic programmes, we also offer classes in English for Academic Purposes. They will help you to adjust to the English university system and ensure that you are fully equipped to write essays and reports and to make effective presentations.
“I came through the extended degree course and found the lecturers and tutors at both Chichester and Portsmouth very friendly and approachable and they have supported me through my studies.”
Ala Alenazi, First Year BSc Genome Science. Home country: Saudi Arabia.
How do I apply?
Entry requirements: We accept qualifications from all countries of the world, but pleased check that they are appropriate by contacting us first sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
Your level of English will need to be Cambridge proficiency/IELTS 6.5, however, the University runs English language courses for students who have met all academic conditions for entry except the English language standard for entry. These courses can also be taken by students who just want to do a refresher course.
You can apply for admission in a number of different ways, please see the following page for more details: http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/studentsupport/international/
You can apply to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) using 'Apply' on the UCAS website at www.ucas.ac.uk
Alternatively, you may be able to obtain an application form from your local British Council office. If you are considering applying to more than one university, you should apply through UCAS.
Or you can apply through one of our agents in your own country. Please note: applicants from Nigeria should apply through our agent in-country.
If you wish to apply to the University of Portsmouth only, you can apply direct using our Undergraduate Application Form available on line