A proud part of Portsmouth and the Solent region
As a university rooted in this city, we work alongside local partners to improve health, widen opportunity, strengthen the economy and support our communities. Our civic partnerships are built on collaboration, shared purpose and long-term impact.
How we're working with the community
Explore our civic map
Our Civic Map brings together many of the partnerships and projects we are involved in across Portsmouth and the wider region.
You can explore the map to see where we’re working, who we’re working with, and how our teaching, research and partnerships connect with the city.
Supporting health in our community
We help train future nurses, doctors and dental professionals to build healthier futures across the city. From developing community wellbeing spaces and listening to the local community to a sustainable health and fitness centre, we are helping address workforce shortages and long-term health resilience in Portsmouth.
Medical school
The region faces ongoing pressures in recruiting and retaining doctors. With increasing demand, we have helped to improve the future supply of doctors and medical care to the city.
Our partnership: In partnership with King’s College London and local NHS providers, the University of Portsmouth Medical School trains doctors locally, with a focus on serving the communities around them.
What’s the impact: By educating doctors in Portsmouth, we are helping to build a sustainable health workforce rooted in the region, improving long-term care for local communities.
Dental Academy
Providing community dental care while training the next generation of dental professionals.
Our partnership: The University of Portsmouth Dental Academy provides high-quality dental treatment to the local community while training future dental professionals. Working alongside NHS and regional partners, the Academy combines education with real-world care.
What’s the impact:
Local residents gain access to supervised dental treatment, while students develop hands-on experience in a community setting. This strengthens both oral health outcomes and the future workforce. We also work with Brush Up, an initiative working with local schools and families to provide preventative oral health education.
Ravelin Sports Centre
Offering health and wellbeing memberships and opportunities including swimming clubs and leisure activities.
Our partnership: Ravelin Sports Centre was designed as a community-focused facility from the outset, working with local partners, clubs and residents to create an inclusive space for sport, recreation and wellbeing.
What’s the impact: Local people have access to high-quality facilities that support physical and mental wellbeing. The centre brings together students and the wider community, creating a shared space that encourages healthier lifestyles and stronger community connection.
HDRC Portsmouth (Health Determinants Research Collaboration)
Health inequalities affect different parts of our city in different ways and this five-year project aims to bring key partners together to use research in local decision-making.
Our partnership: HDRC Portsmouth brings together researchers, Portsmouth City Council and community partners to better understand the causes of health inequality and design evidence-informed solutions.
What’s the impact: Research is shaped by local voices and used directly to inform local policy and practice. This ensures decisions are based on what matters most to Portsmouth residents.
Supporting Armed Forces and Blue-Light communities
We aim to support service children, families and veterans through education, training and partnership including our teacher training programmes, where we equip educators with practical strategies to better support service-connected learners.
We See You
Portsmouth is home to a large Armed Forces and service-connected community. Service children and families can face unique challenges, particularly during transition periods.
Our partnership: We See You works with schools, educators and regional partners to improve understanding and support for service-connected learners and families.
What’s the impact: Teachers are better equipped to support service children. Families feel more recognised and understood. The University is building clearer pathways into higher education for service-connected young people.
Are you…
- A school supporting service children?
- A service family in Portsmouth or moving to the area?
- A veteran or service leaver considering study or career development?
Armed Forces Covenant
At the university, we pledge to support our Armed Forces community. We commit to upholding the key principles of the Covenant including:
- Ensuring members of the Armed Forces Community do not face disadvantage compared to any other citizen
- Considering special treatment - including those injured or bereaved
Our partnership: We recognise our naval heritage and are are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, working alongside local and national partners to support serving personnel, veterans and military families. This commitment is part of a wider network of partnerships across education, employment and community support.
What’s the impact: Through this work, we help ensure that members of the Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged in accessing education, employment and services, and are better supported during transitions into civilian life. Our partnerships also strengthen understanding of service life across the city and create more inclusive opportunities for service-connected communities.
Access to advice and opportunities
With aid from the legal clinic, teacher education, school partnerships and student volunteering initiative, we're working with the local community to drive knowledge and connections across the city.
Legal advice clinic
We know that access to legal assistance can be difficult and costly so working with Faculty of Business and Law students, their tutors and qualified solicitors, we have bookable advice sessions to aid the local community.
Our partnership: The University’s Legal Clinic offers free legal advice to local residents, delivered by law students under professional supervision.
What’s the impact: Residents receive guidance and support on real legal issues, while students gain valuable practical experience serving their community.
Student volunteering and community engagement
The strong community that Portsmouth has is built on connection and shared effort - we're encouraging students to dedicate time to enhancing the city.
Our partnership: Our students work alongside local charities, schools and community groups throughout the year.
What’s the impact: Students gain real-world experience while contributing time and skills to support local initiatives across Portsmouth.
Strengthening Portsmouth’s economy and culture
We look to support small and medium-sized enterprise and local entrepreneurs in growing and innovating their businesses as well as creating pathways into education and opportunities.
Business and Innovation connect
providing local businesses with access to expertise, talent and innovation to grow.
Our partnership: Business Connect provides a clear entry point for businesses to collaborate with the University, from consultancy and research to student projects and skills development.
What’s the impact: Businesses gain access to specialist knowledge and fresh ideas. The University strengthens links between research, innovation and the local economy.
Heritage Hub
We know that Portsmouth’s heritage is central to its identity and economy and we aim to foster these values across our civic work.
Our partnership: The Heritage Hub brings together researchers, cultural organisations and community groups to support local history, tourism and creative projects.
What’s the impact: Research expertise is shared with local partners, strengthening cultural engagement and place-based pride.
Portsmouth Football Club partnership
We've been working as the main club partner of Portsmouth Football Club since the 2018/19 season and are proud to support our shared ambitions to:
- Play a key role in the educational and cultural life of our city
- Increase participation in higher education
- Raise aspirations of young people across Portsmouth
Our Partnership
We are proud to sponsor and collaborate with Portsmouth FC, working together to support education, skills development and community engagement across the city.
The difference it makes
Through this partnership, we strengthen our connection with local communities, create visible pathways into education and celebrate the shared pride that defines Portsmouth.
Upcoming events
See our upcoming activities across Portsmouth.
Thursday 23 April
Chernobyl: Science, Society... and Vodka!
Join Professor Jim Smith to uncover the realities and media influences surrounding Chernobyl.
Location: Portland Building, PO1 3AH
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Wednesday 20 May
The Milky Way and the Ancient Egyptian Goddess of the Sky
Join us for a fascinating journey through ancient skies, mythology, and science.
Location: Eldon Building, PO1 2DJ
Time: 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Wednesday 17 June
Pop Matters: Promoting Popular Culture in Portsmouth
Dive into the world of pop culture and the creative industries in Portsmouth.
Location: Portland Building, PO1 3AH
Time: 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Other events
Take a look at the events we run on a yearly or bi-annually basis at the university.
Festival of Crime
From solving your own mystery through quizzes and puzzles and getting up close with crime scenes to meeting police officers and crime writers, the bi-annual festival is open to all and is completely free to attend.
Stargazing
Each year we invite the community to an evening packed with interactive exhibits and activities including night sky viewing through telescopes.
Civic news and projects
University of Portsmouth hosts major Government announcement to boost student skills for defence careers
Minister launches £80 million investment in defence education at Portsmouth in recognition of University's engineering excellence and strong defence sector links
University of Portsmouth steps closer to opening first Dental School in the South-East
The University has been granted Dental Authority Status (DAS) by the government, to help tackle the region's critical dentist shortage.
University backs Portsmouth's UK City of Culture 2029 bid
The University of Portsmouth is proud to announce its active engagement in Portsmouth's bid for UK City of Culture 2029.
Collaborate with us
Do you have ideas for a civic project or are already championing impactful activities you're part of?
Let us know about your ongoing civic work as a current member of staff, student, or another part of the University community, or reach out to us with a new project idea.
Email: civicuniversity@port.ac.uk
If you have an idea for a civic project or are already championing impactful activities, please contact our dedicated Community Engagement Officer.
Email: sue.knight@port.ac.uk