Student smiling with Spinnaker Tower

University is more than your studies

Whether you're a foodie, sports fan, or music lover, Portsmouth has something for you

University is more than a place to learn. Make Portsmouth your home.

You'll find new things to love at university, discover new hobbies and make friendships to last a lifetime. Explore the city you'll call home and find out what's waiting for you in Portsmouth.

Fall in love with Portsmouth

We’re more than just an island city. Hear from our students who love Portsmouth, read their blogs and see why it's one of the best places to live in the UK.
B Roll shoot
Discover your seaside city

City Guide

Why choose Portsmouth?

Portsmouth has fantastic local, independent businesses from art galleries, to bars, restaurants and delicatessens. Hear why local people and students chose and love Portsmouth. Explore more of what Portsmouth has to offer for your life outside study.

Cerys: When I first came to the open day for Portsmouth, I instantly fell in love with it. 

Imogen:  It's got such a really friendly atmosphere, even though it's a city it's quite a small city, so it feels really welcoming and homely. 

Andy:  I think Portsmouth is very forward-thinking. 

Joanne:  It's got a real independent spirit about it. 

Antony:  With the waterfront, the historic dockyard, a really good mix of nationalities. 

Lee-Anne:  Half my friends are from Nigeria, other half are from places like Czech Republic, and it's very interesting to meet new people.

Steve:  There's lots of cultural events, there's art galleries, there's music venues. 

Ben:  There's a great restaurant scene and a great nightlife scene as well. 

Claire:  There's always new things popping up, new restaurants, new art shops, new things. 

Gareth:  Entertainment activities in terms of lots of bars and restaurants and loads of cool places to eat. 

Anthony:  And then there's so many shows you've got kite festivals. 

Rikki:  Food festivals. 

Anthony:  Big one that really helps the town is Victorious Festival and I think they're on their tenth year next year. 

Connie: It is such a really lovely community. 

Simon:  And I think after you've been here a while, you feel part of the community. 

Erin:  The mood is just unrivalled. You've got the beach. There's also a nice sense of community. 

Megan:  The community feel just makes you feel like you're at home, away from home. 

Rikki:  I think it's got a really good mix of independent businesses. 

Luke: There's so many local independent businesses. 

Daniel:  You can walk everywhere. 

Samantha:  When the sun is shining, there is nowhere better than Portsmouth. 

Holly:  You're only ever five/ten minute walk away from the seafront. 

Antony:  It's a very cosmopolitan city. It's got so much to offer. 

Nehanda: Commercial Road, you have the city centre and the hub where it's all lively.  

Nathan:  Student nightlife is really, really good. Lots of nightclubs. Lots stuff to do. 

Nehanda:  But then as soon as you come to Southsea it's more like a lazy seaside town like you get to go to the beach. 

Samantha:  You just have to go down to the beach or the common on a sunny day and everyone's having picnics. It's just beautiful. 

Holly:  Or you can enjoy the pubs and the clubs or the theatre in the main city centre. 

Gareth:  I love that kind of vibrancy of the city. 

Lee-Anne:  The weather is milder than other parts of England, so if you're someone who doesn't really want it to be cold, always, it's perfect here. It will rain, but it's still perfect. 

Antony:  I think that it's the perfect place to come and study a degree. 

Gareth:  I love it. I would highly recommend it for anyone. 

Eliska: It's a big enough city to not be afraid to express yourself, but it's also small enough to be heard.

Discover Portsmouth

Places to eat in Portsmouth

Hungry for adventure? Here's a taster of the great food and drink you can savour in the city.

Busy meal at table from top-down
Grub's up

Beaches, piers and parks

Portsmouth is a bustling city with the sea on our doorstep and green spaces all around.

Ferry in the sea
Start exploring

Sport in Portsmouth

From water sports to football and quidditch - few cities can compete with Portsmouth's sports opportunities.

Portsmouth FC vs Exeter City FC
For UoP internal use only
Let's play

Shopping in Portsmouth

We're home to great independent businesses, so shopping in the city is a real treat.

Woman shopping for postcards outside entrance of Hotwalls Studios
Hot Walls - City Guide 2022
Read more

Portsmouth's music scene

Want to get involved in Portsmouth's music scene? Here's all you need to start.

Rapper Krept, University of Portsmouth graduate, performing
1, 2, 3, 4...

Art, culture and nightlife in Portsmouth

There's so much to see and do in Portsmouth – from art galleries and museums, to nightclubs and late-night cafes

Old Portsmouth
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Make more of your life outside study

Societies and student union

How to get involved in your Union including the clubs and societies you can join.

Collage of student union activities, including lacrosse
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Learn a foreign language

Immerse yourself in another culture and meet new people by choosing from our 8 language programmes.

two female students walking and talking together
Read more

Self guided tour

Spend a day walking through our campus and exploring the city, getting closer to a place buzzing with purpose and possibility.

Applicants taking a walking tour of the Portsmouth campus and surrounding area
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Student life

Explore our island city and its many attractions, and find out what student life is really like at the University.

Female student smiling with Spinnaker Tower
Get started