Make the most of your visit
Visiting us on campus is a fantastic way to get a feel for what studying at university is really like.
Whether its on one of our subject taster days or a school visit, students can discover first-hand how our courses work and if they could be the right fit. Our taster day experiences also make a brilliant addition to a personal statement.
When you book to visit us on campus, you’ll be given a named contact from the Schools and Colleges team who will be your point of contact throughout the visit.
Here we cover what to expect and plan for when you or your students are booked on to one of our taster days or school visit days.
Checking in on the day
When you arrive in the city, head to the building where your check in is taking place (see maps and details below).
If you're unsure, you'll find our staff and students are really helpful and will point you in the right direction.
Schools and college groups check in
If you're arriving with a college group, please can one member of staff come to the registration desk.
Our team will then check in your students individually – please ask them to have their QR codes that they received at time of registration at the ready.
Individual students check in
When you register for the event, you'll receive an email with your ticket for entry.
Please come to our registration desk and one of our team will check you in using the QR code on your ticket.
We'll then give you everything you need to enjoy your visit, including a programme for the day and any other relevant information.
Accessibility support
Most of our university buildings are accessible for those with mobility difficulties. We can also tailor our visit day programmes to accommodate specific needs.
Please let your contact in the Schools and Colleges team know well in advance of your visit about any additional needs for you or your students, so we can do our very best to make appropriate arrangements or adjustments.
Getting here
Car parking
If you choose to drive, please note that we're unable to offer parking on campus.
But there are lots of public transport options and car parks available around the city, particularly around the city centre.
There's more information about city centre car parking on Portsmouth City Council.
Minibuses and coaches
If you're arriving with a minibus or coach as part of a school or college group, the closest option is to park on Museum Road. Here, you can park using the RingGo App.
Please note that minibuses need to be parked on the side of the road with cars and not coaches.
It's advisable to download the RingGo App in advance. If your staffing allows, we're happy for you to drop your group at the location for the taster day and then park your minibus afterwards.
Trains
The closest station to the University is Portsmouth and Southsea.
It’s a five-minute walk from the nearest University buildings and close to all parts of the campus.
Plan your train journey to Portsmouth on National Rail.
Map of our campus
Check out where our teaching and learning spaces are, and discover more travel information on our maps and directions page.
5 top tips to get the most out of your visit
1. Take a pen and paper
You may not think it, but having this handy means you or your students can make note of all the things you come across during your visit.
This will also help when it comes to comparing universities afterwards.
Our sessions may also be highly relevant for current studies, meaning it's a great chance to get some extra revision notes together.
2. Plan ahead
Prepare any questions you may have for our current students and lecturers and make a checklist for the day, including the learning areas you might want to see.
Questions you might ask at a taster day
- Are lecturers supportive?
- How is the course structured or weighted?
- How much contact time do you have in your course?
- Do you get opportunities for practical learning?
- How do you find living in the city?
- What are the learning facilities like?
- Have you done a placement year and how did the university support you?
- Are there any support and wellbeing services?
- Is there a careers team that can help you find a part time job, or work placement?
3. Check out the facilities
Use this opportunity to check out the facilities you or your students might use for studying.
That may be lecture theatres, seminar rooms or practical learning areas.
4. Chat to students
Our students really do know best.
Speak to our student ambassadors to get their thoughts on what studying at Portsmouth is like.
5. Reflect after your visit
Think back on the experience, including the questions you or your students asked or what you saw.
We'd obviously love you or your students to choose Portsmouth, but reflect on whether the uni and course is a good fit.
Browse our subject taster days or subject webinars
Subject taster days
A chance for you and your students to join us on campus at a university subject taster day, and to meet Gatsy benchmarks 4 and 7. Buzzing with purpose and possibility, it's a chance for them to get closer to the subjects they love or discover brand new ones.
Subject webinars
Designed to help your students learn about a university subject they're interested in, our subject webinars for students help them get the inside scoop on what our courses involve and how to apply.
