Collage of student halls of residence and shared space

Home isn't just where the heart is

It's where the free broadband and WiFi are too

Whether you're in our halls of residence or renting in the city, when you join us you won't just study here, you'll make Portsmouth your home.

Wherever you choose to live, you'll become part of the local community. You'll discover Portsmouth is a bustling, easy-to-explore city with 4 miles of beaches and plenty of green spaces.

And because you can walk across the city in an hour, everything you need is within walking distance. The rest of the country is easy to reach too, thanks to our great transport links.

When you accept a firm offer to study with us, we'll send you details of your accommodation options.

Explore your accommodation options below.

Find a place to call home

Take a closer look at your accommodation options when you choose to study with us, and find out more about the housing support we offer once you're here.

Get a guaranteed room in halls

Received an offer and accepted us as your firm choice? Find out how to get a guaranteed place in our halls.

Male student sitting on a bed in halls
Secure your place

Our halls of residence

Whatever your accommodation needs, we can deliver: from non-/catered facilities to accessible rooms.

Collage of University of Portsmouth halls of residence rooms and buildings
Explore our halls

City Guide

Why 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.

Deciding where to live

We'll help you decide between halls, private renting and staying at home.
University of Portsmouth private student housing
Learn more

Private renting

Our island city has lots of beautiful and buzzing places to live – and many of our students rent privately.
Student walking down Southsea street past colouful houses
Find out more

Housing support

From help finding a housemate to support dealing with contracts and landlords, we're here to help.
Student cooking in halls
Read more