The Portsmouth Football Club Scholarship is a financial award of £3,000, plus work experience with PFC. It is open to students who meet all of the following criteria:

1. Eligible students

1.1 The scholarship includes a £3,000 award payable over two instalments. It is open to students who meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be a Second Year student studying an eligible course (see eligibility details below)  
  • Be from the city of Portsmouth, or the surrounding area (PO postcode) and by extension, a UK student who is liable for the UK rate of tuition fees (EU, International and Channel Islands students are not eligible to receive the scholarship) 
  • Be 25 or under 
  • Be embarking on your first undergraduate degree  

  • Be willing to act as a champion for the University and the PFC Scholarship programme to encourage future students to participate and progress to Higher Education. This may involve sharing your story or experiences of studying at Portsmouth to use in our promotional materials 

  • Agree that your details and application form will be shared with representatives of Portsmouth Football Club, who are funding this scholarship  

  • Meet one of these criteria:
    • You are the first in your family to go to university or:
    • have a household income of £35,000 or below at the time of entering the University

1.2 There will be 2 scholarships awarded in the 25/26 season, so student eligibility does not guarantee that the student will receive an award. Students will need to apply for the scholarship, and the 2 successful applicants will be selected by the awarding panel. 

2. Eligible courses

2.1 The Scholarship is open to students who can demonstrate their course of study is relevant for any one of the areas identified below. These areas have been developed in conjunction with PFC to provide a different focus for the 26/27 season scholarships. Given there are 2 scholarships, not all areas will be advanced. 

Scholars are sought for: 

  • Content Creator - Pompey Academy Supporting the Pompey Academy with its content requirements, with opportunities to contribute to areas such as content creation, storytelling and communications.

  • Portsmouth Women’s Team - A broader area of focus, allowing flexibility based on the successful scholar’s skills and interests. This could involve areas such as marketing, journalism, communications or environmental work.

2.2 This scholarship is therefore open and available to Second Year students with an area of study relevant to the focus areas identified above. Applicants are welcome from any of the 5 Faculties. 

2.3 Students must have completed their registration into year 2 of their course to receive the scholarship. 

2.4 It is the intention that the student will receive a £3,000 scholarship, paid in 2 instalments of £1,500 per teaching block. 

3. Academic criteria

3.1 Applicants must meet specific course entry criteria for their course. 

3.2 Scholarship payments will not be made in repeat years. 

3.3 Attainment, attendance and engagement will be reviewed to ensure retention of the scholarship. 

4. Application process

4.1 Applicants will need to complete the ​​scholarship application form to be considered. 

4.2 As part of the application, students will need to answer 4 written questions outlining the impact the scholarship will have on you, your education and your future aspirations, as well as how your studies are relevant to one of the four priority areas as identified by Portsmouth Football Club.  

4.3 Decisions on the award of the scholarship will be made by a University panel. Decisions will be based on the eligibility criteria and the scholarship application. 

4.4 The panel’s decision is final and the panel shall not be obliged to provide reasons for their decisions. 

4.5 The scholarship payment is subject to students providing their bank details. The University of Portsmouth will inform the successful applicants of how and when these payments will be made at the earliest available opportunity. It is expected that scholarship payments will be awarded in 3 instalments. 

5. Operational terms and conditions

5.1 The scholarship is restricted and is intended to be used as a direct contribution towards course fees or the cost of studying for a degree e.g. course materials. In addition, the scholarship can be used to cover essential living costs specifically rent and accommodation and/or utility bills. The above can also be used in combination. The Scholarship will be paid into a bank account chosen by the student and payment is subject to the student providing their bank details. Alternatively, the scholarship can be paid directly to a service provider e.g. the Student Loans Company. 

You will be required to provide details of how the funds have been spent and the impact this has had on your university experience. For the avoidance of doubt, the funds cannot be used for ‘day to day’ expenses such as shopping, groceries, personal electronic devices, recreational activities and other such undertakings. 

5.2 The successful applicants will be notified by email, including details of when payments will be made. 

5.3 Students who withdraw from their studies before receiving full payment of the award will become ineligible for the scholarship. No extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration. 

5.4 Students who transfer to a different course before receiving full payment of the award will become ineligible for the scholarship. 

5.5 The applicants who receive the scholarship will still be entitled to apply for student loans, other scholarships and scholarships, subject to their eligibility. 

5.6 The University’s decision on the allocation of the scholarship in accordance with these terms and conditions is final. There is no appeal process. 

5.7 The scholarship funding must be used towards the cost of the degree and work experience with the club.