Discover your seaside city
Find home among beaches, history, festivals and food
Portsmouth is a great place to live and a vibrant city surrounded by the sea. Discover why our students love living here and what it’s like to live and study in Portsmouth.
We've got refreshing beaches, fantastic places to eat, independent shops and music venues to explore, and lots of green space – so we’re more than just a coastal town. In Portsmouth, you'll discover a diverse and connected community, and everything you need to make this your new home.
Portsmouth is a top 10 trending travel spot for domestic travel in the UK (Airbnb, 2023) and the No. 2 best place to live in the UK (Nomads Nation, 2023).
Our students LOVE Portsmouth
You don't have to take our word for it, hear from the people who know and love Portsmouth – our students.
Image
Image
I loved the location and the idea of a city campus. Being by the sea is so amazing, especially in the summer as there are many places to visit and discover.
I wanted to come to the University of Portsmouth to study Mathematics because of Portsmouth itself; Gunwharf, the Historic Dockyard and the seaside were all fond memories I had visiting Portsmouth as a child.
Make Portsmouth your home
In Portsmouth, you'll never have to go far to find a new adventure. As a city based campus, you'll be safe and close to home so you can explore what Portsmouth has to offer – there is so much to do and fall in love with! Find out what you could discover and chat directly to our students.
Living in Portsmouth
MRes Creative Industries student, Cerys, shares her favourite aspects of the city.
Hi, my name's Cerys and I study at the University of Portsmouth and I'm on the course of MRes in Creative Industries.
The university campus is spread quite a bit over Portsmouth. And that's one of the things I really like about it, is that it isn't campus-based so you get to see more of a city and places that you wouldn't normally go to.
If I were to take you on a guided tour of Portsmouth, I'd take you to Southsea and Albert Road, there's loads of independent shops down there, and it's really cool and so unique. And it's a really, really good place to go and explore.
Living in Portsmouth
Hear BA (Hons) International Relations and Modern Languages student, Rachel, explain why she loves studying here.
Hi, my name is Rachel and I study at the University of Portsmouth. I'm currently an undergraduate in International Relations and Modern Languages.
My university campus is based in the city of Portsmouth. It's based right at the centre and it's very close to all the shops and everything that you might need as a student.
If I was to give you a guided tour of Portsmouth, I would definitely show you Gunwharf Quays. This is because I believe that it encapsulates the best experience that you can have in Portsmouth as you can do some shopping, see the sea, and also grab some amazing food with amazing views.
Read Charles' storyI wanted to live by the water, rather than in a very densely populated city, and the city is student-friendly and affordable.
Student blogs
Ready to make amazing memories as student in Portsmouth? Read on to find out where our students spend their days and the adventures they've discovered right on their doorstep.
The top 10 coffee shops around Portsmouth
Portsmouth has a great selection of independent cafes. Discover the best places to get a coffee in the city, from beach cafes to tea rooms.
8 must-do activities in Portsmouth this summer
Explore our booming seaside city and enjoy drive-in movie nights, festivals, kayaking and abseiling.
5 best date nights in Portsmouth
From arcades and cafes to bowling and romantic meals with a view, there's plenty of date night spots to discover in the city.
5 best brunch spots in Portsmouth
Ready for brunch? Look no further. Here's a list of city favourites you can enjoy in Portsmouth, including all day breakfasts, shakshuka and afternoon tea.
My favourite place in Portsmouth is the pier, its great in summertime with a group of people especially when the funfair is out.
Where is Portsmouth?
Portsmouth blends city, coast and country - the perfect melting pot for fun nights out, lazy walks in the forest and paddle boarding around the pier.
Our city is buzzing with purpose and possibility, and you’ll find plenty of things to do. Explore shopping outlets, art galleries, cinemas, nightclubs and restaurants at Gunwharf Quays – or for an unbeatable view, head up the Spinnaker Tower. Delve into history at the Historic Dockyard or discover some of our favourite independent shops and cafés in central Southsea.
Whether you want to explore the city or relax by the sea, Portsmouth is ready for you.
No. 2 best places to live in the UK
Ready to explore our island city? Dive in
Take a closer look at more of the exciting things on offer in our amazing city or join us in the city to experience life as a student in Portsmouth.
Eating in the city
Hungry for adventure? From coffee and cakes to street food and roasts, here's a taster of the great food and drink you can savour in the city.
Sport in Portsmouth
We're home to more than 40 sports teams – including football, sailing, mountain biking and Quidditch. Whether you're into playing or watching, you'll find your sport in Portsmouth.
Shopping in Portsmouth
Treat yourself and discover designer brands, unique locally-made items, vintage finds and much more in Portsmouth's lively shopping scene.
Art, culture and nightlife
From cultural festivals and art exhibitions to comedy nights and late-night cafes, there's plenty of culture to discover in the city.
Beaches, piers and parks
Explore the UK's only island city. Paddle board on the beach, plan a picnic in the park or discover our nature reserves and castles.
Portsmouth's music scene
Want to get involved in Portsmouth's thriving music scene? Here's all you need to get involved in a variety of gigs, open mic nights and festivals.
Self guided tour of the City of Portsmouth
Discover new adventures and our connected community on this self-guided tour.
Open Days
Thinking about joining us? Book your spot at one of our upcoming Open Days.
Chat to our students
Drop our students a message and they'll tell you what it's like to live in the city they call home.