Musical Theatre Students
Sydney, Selina & Bekah

Theatre BA (Hons)

Train to be a theatre professional on our BA (Hons) Theatre degree course. Learn to make, perform in, and write about theatre, and gain the skills you need to succeed in any career.

University of Portsmouth Connected Degree - 3 year course with 4th year placement

Key information

UCAS code:

W400

Typical offer:

104-112 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

Do you love theatre? Do you want to learn how to make it, perform in it, and write about it? Then our BA (Hons) Theatre degree is the course for you.

Collaborate with other students to deliver performance projects, ranging from mainstream popular practices to experimental, small-scale fringe work. Your learning of theatre-making and performance is grounded in research, so your creative practice is both entertaining and meaningful.

During each year, you’ll have a balanced mix of practical and theoretical scholarly work. In the first year, you’ll work together on the fundamentals of theatre practice, including voice, movement, acting, and devising. In the second year, you’ll specialise in drama, musical theatre, or production. And in your final year, you’ll work with other students to refine your specialisation, culminating in a major academic project. Stage public performances of many theatre forms at different locations—be it our White Swan studios, Portsmouth’s 700-seat Victorian New Theatre Royal mainstage, local schools, heritage sites, or even the beach.

On this course, you'll have chances to work in various theatre industry positions besides acting and dramaturgy. These can include teaching, activism, marketing management, publishing, and customer service roles.

At Portsmouth, studying Theatre empowers you to build your own career as a freelance theatre practitioner or in related careers—driven by the fervour of those who love the performing arts.

Why study Theatre at Portsmouth?

  • Learn from experienced professionals and researchers and collaborate with your peers to create innovative and thought-provoking work
  • Gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of theatre practice, including voice, movement, acting, and devising
  • Devise your performances in our flagship White Swan Studios and Portsmouth's Victorian theatre, New Theatre Royal
  • Develop your critical thinking and analytical skills through theoretical modules
  • Specialise in drama, musical theatre, or production in your second year
  • Work on a major project in your third year that will showcase your skills and knowledge in your chosen specialisation
  • Have the opportunity to perform your work in a public setting
  • Develop the skills you need to succeed in a range of careers in the theatre industry

Pathway degrees

You can shape your pathway and specialise in your preferred area on this BA (Hons) Theatre course. Your graduation will be BA (Hons) Theatre or the following awards, depending on the modules you choose in your second and third years.

Theatre: Drama

A pathway for theatre creatives first: actors, directors, and choreographers. Work on projects for stage and screen, as well as in freelance fields, including virtual reality, immersive experiences, and simulation exercises. Acquire movement and voice skills, act in contemporary and classical styles, and perform in non-theatrical settings, such as corporate training scenarios. Learn how to take direction and to be self-directed performers who can make their own original work.

Theatre: Musical Theatre

Immerse yourself in musical theatre practice: create new musicals, direct and choreograph full productions, and produce a professional industry showreel. Gain skills in movement, dance, and choreography; voice, acting and musical performance; and devising and theatre making. Delve into musical theatre’s importance in popular culture and society, and gain vital transferable skills for your career.

Theatre: Production

Make shows happen off stage. Focus on designing lighting, video projection, sound, stage management, set design, and more. Engage with emerging technologies such as virtual reality and extended reality, as well as film and television, and sound recording. You’ll also be able to collaborate with design students from other courses on interdisciplinary projects.

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BA (Hons) Theatre

Typical offers

  • A levels - BBC-BCC
  • UCAS points - 104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission. (Calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 25

View full entry requirements and accepted qualifications

Selection process

All applicants will be asked to attend an on-campus workshop and interview or provide a video submission.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

View alternative English language requirements

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Facilities

Musical Theatre StudentsSelina Le

White Swan Building

Our drama and theatre hub was developed with Portsmouth’s esteemed New Theatre Royal, with all you need for stage and performance productions: from rehearsal to final act.

Press & Media; Portsmouth locations; 15th July 2019

New Theatre Royal

With integrated facilities bridging it and White Swan Building, New Theatre Royal is the space for drama, music, and theatre students to grow their talents in a professional environment.

Careers and opportunities

With this degree, you'll have the expertise, practice and hands on experience for a career creative, production and administration teams.

You'll have the ability to contribute critically and creatively to entertain audiences, and empower people to think about the world. And because the art of performing is embedded in daily life – from business negotiations to people's behaviour in the workplace to marketing communications – you can apply the skills you learn to roles in other industries.

Graduate roles and destinations

Previous graduates have secured roles at prestigious theatre companies including the Barbican, Chichester Festival Theatre and Marlowe Theatre and performed at events including the Edinburgh Fringe and Brighton Fringe.

Some of the roles our graduates have taken include general managers in nationally award winning theatre companies, sustainable costume designers for the future of performance, stage managers on touring productions, and researchers working behind the scenes to demonstrate the value of drama.

Typical roles graduates go onto after the course include:

  • actor
  • director
  • playwright
  • stage/theatre manager
  • set designer
  • costume designer
  • arts administrator
  • producer
  • drama teacher (with further training)
  • event coordinator

While studying at Portsmouth, graduates have received seed funding to make their own work, taken that work to local venues such as Guildhall Studio and New Theatre Royal, then performed their new productions at Edinburgh.

Ongoing careers support

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Placement year (optional)

After your second year, you can do a year-long placement in the industry. This lets you put your knowledge and skills to work, while developing professional links and building your network.

Previous students have taken placement years at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, as attractions cast members.

You can also do a summer internship, or shorter-term work experience placements. Previous students have done the following short-term placements:

  • Stage and production crew at Rock Challenge
  • Running and stage management at Hip Hop International
  • Stage management at the Groundlings Theatre
  • Dance teaching at Upbeat Music
  • Journeys Festival

Interested in running your own business on your placement year instead? You can start up and run your own company for a year as an alternative to a work-based placement. You'll work alone or with fellow students to build and launch a successful venture.

Whichever option you choose, you'll get support from Creative Careers.

Creative Careers

Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.

They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:

  • Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
  • Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
  • Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
  • Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route

The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.

Modules

Pathway degrees

You can specialise in a particular area by choosing specific modules during your studies. Depending on which modules you choose, you'll graduate with:

  • BA (Hons) Theatre
  • BA (Hons) Theatre: Drama 
  • BA (Hons) Theatre: Musical Theatre 
  • BA (Hons) Theatre: Production

What you'll study

Core modules

This module lets you get actively involved in making theatre. Come up with ideas, do research, assign roles, and help each other through all production stages. You’ll review your own creative work and development, gaining the courage to creatively explore themes onstage. Focusing on flexibility and openness, you’ll challenge limits and adapt well to changes.

Completing this module leads to proactive, reflective practice — and memories of a unique performance you dreamed up together.

Immerse yourself in a rigorous rehearsal setting, learning what it takes to perform as a professional. Discover the teamwork involved in theatre by working with others. 

Learn the balance between following instructions and using your own initiative. 

Through workshops and rehearsals, you’ll cultivate a disciplined approach to your craft.

This module helps you understand how theatre production works in the real world, setting you up for success in future performance projects.

Dive into various movement theories and stage techniques, tailored for beginners to advanced learners. Turn your learning into action with seminars and practical training. Build key drama skills, even if you’ve never danced before. Collaborate with others to create original movement pieces. Reflect on your progress and set your sights on future objectives.

You'll come out with a stronger physical presence, more creativity, and the confidence to perform.

Start by sharpening your academic abilities in research, writing, and referencing. Then, dive into theories that help you understand the finer points of acting, directing, design, and watching performances. You’ll look at famous pieces of drama criticism to learn how to think analytically. Use these new skills to deepen your understanding of various productions, including ones you’re involved in.

By exploring different aspects of performances and getting better at discussing them, you’ll grow both as a scholar and a practitioner.

You’ll learn to place plays and musicals in their social and political history by studying dramaturgy. Discover how the real world influences and moulds performances. You’ll develop ways to create your own critical viewpoints and use a wide variety of examples in your projects.

By the end of the module, you’ll have a deep understanding of the interaction between theatre, community, and culture. This knowledge will be a great asset in your journey as a dedicated theatre creator.

You’ll work on vocal techniques using speeches, songs, and scripts. Improve your stage skills both individually and in group settings.

Learn contemporary methods to create characters and perform songs.

Experiment with various styles, formats, and repertoires. Reflect on how you’ve grown and what you aim to achieve next.

You’ll be set to thrive as a dynamic, versatile performer, prepared for the stage.

Core modules

You’ll study various historical and contemporary styles. These include ancient Greek theatre, modern British drama, African rituals, and innovative conceptual art.

We'll examine these forms in terms of history and historiography, considering their cultural contexts.

You’ll learn to appreciate the diversity of global traditions and how stories are shaped around them. You’ll also see how performance helps start conversations in society.

This module lays the groundwork for you to understand performance as a dynamic, culturally rooted art form.

You’ll delve into critical ideas like feminism, Marxism, and queer theory to examine things like identity, society, and culture.

By studying key texts, you’ll see how these theories help explain and make sense of performances.

You’ll use these concepts to assess a variety of plays and theatre methods.

This module gives you a more precise set of analytical tools to deepen your grasp of theatre. It will spark conversation and strengthen your own creative expression in today’s world.

Optional modules

You’ll look into both historical and modern methods, getting to grips with practical approaches in theatre. Embark on an independent project that builds your skills, which could include crafting a scene, directing a piece, or designing a set. You’ll look to established theatre experts for guidance and inspiration and thoughtfully assess your progress.

By the end, you’ll have focused experience showing your talent, expertise, and critical understanding of theatre practice.

This module mixes private voice lessons with rehearsals and shows, allowing you to enhance your technical skills in your selected area. Gain a well-rounded perspective by exploring the history of musical theatre and making informed creative choices. With a professional approach and commitment to continuous growth, you’ll emerge ready to shine both onstage and behind the scenes.

This module transforms passion into expertise for a stellar musical theatre career.

You’ll get into performance theories and methods, looking at how practical work and theory come together. This module gives you room to try new and bold ideas, creating fresh material by working with others and being enterprising. It lets you share your own research discoveries in different ways.

This experience will give you successful skills in researching, thinking deeply about your work, and coming up with new knowledge.

More information on this module will be available soon.

As a team, you will embark on a journey of entrepreneurship, starting with ideation and ending with the launch of your product or service. You will analyse complex factors influencing a successful launch, conduct thorough research to assess feasibility and gain valuable insights into marketing, manufacturing, and sales strategies.

Working together on pitch presentations, you will discover your strengths as an entrepreneur or team member. This module provides transferable skills essential to thrive in creative industries, whether you plan to launch your own company or seek employment with top organisations. You will develop the mindset and abilities to spot opportunities and act on them, which will benefit your career.

You’ll choose learning tasks that add up to 60 hours, like internships, volunteering, research, or remote study that match your career plans. Workshops will help you make meaningful goals and think about what you’ve accomplished. Through this, you’ll grow the knowledge, skills, and qualities you need to thrive in the workplace.

By looking at your growth through active participation and reading, you’ll become a perceptive, eager job-seeker who stands out.

You’ll analyse American texts against the backdrop of intellectual, social and political change, evaluating how writers grappled with emerging ideas around national identity, race, gender and more.

By honing skills for contextual analysis and independent thought, you’ll form your own interpretations of iconic works that reflect the American experience.

Join a team of creative students and do a project together. Try new things and see how they can help you.

You’ll also grasp how to use your skills with others. Sometimes you’ll be a leader, sometimes a helper. Talk about your ideas and learn from them. You’ll make something to show what you learned and share it with others.

This module helps you gain new skills and understand other fields. You’ll be a smart and creative person, ready to solve real-world problems.

You’ll experience a new culture by exploring art, design, or performance at an international partner university. This adventure adds a global angle to your learning and helps you develop skills for jobs all over the world.

You’ll work by yourself, think deeply about what you’re learning, and see how it connects to your degree. When you return, you’ll have broadened your creative outlook and job opportunities.

Choosing this module lets you explore diverse approaches and build international connections.

Whether you’re aiming to be a performer, dramaturg, director, or production manager, you’ll grow in your role. You’ll get to creatively apply your skills in a team-based setting.

Show off your analytical and critical understanding.

Be bold in taking risks to enhance your craft.

Reflect on what you’ve achieved and areas you can improve.

By the end of the module, you’ll have the professional know-how and self-insight to advance in your performance career.

You’ll get expert guidance to boost your skills in acting, directing, writing plays, dance, or running shows.

As you dive into rehearsing and putting on a musical, you’ll figure out what you need to get better at.

Be part of an exciting artistic community. You’ll take part in activities like the Drama Music Society (DMS), choir, lessons, and learning music theory to improve your skills.

This module lets you experiment and use fresh techniques. You’ll show your dedication, professionalism, and creativity to advance your skills.

By mixing what you learn from different areas, you’ll grow into a more complete and confident musical theatre performer.

You'll study traditional and experimental forms, before creating your own scripts. You'll take part in workshops that provide space for bold exploration and unlock your creative potential as a playwright.

Analysing influential works across theatre, spoken word and more. you'll implement professional strategies for developing compelling narratives and dialogue.

This will culminate in a staged reading of a script of your choice - proof of your flair for connecting with audiences through the written word.

You’ll dig into the cultural context of violence in Shakespeare's age, analysing how poetry and performance play on complex dynamics of authority, resistance and ideology.

Through Shakespeare’s works, you’ll develop your own perspectives on the role of war and peace in sixteenth-century English culture.

More information on this module will be available soon.

Core modules

In this module, you’ll explore the exciting world of experimental performance and alternative theatres.

Check out avant-garde practices, like immersive and site-specific works, and see how different disciplines blend and impact each other. You’ll develop your ability to analyse and appreciate theatre companies that are taking bold new steps in performance.

You won’t just stick to the mainstream; you’ll also discover the creative and inspiring world of fringe movements. The best part? You get to choose what you focus on based on your interests.

This module offers unique opportunities to delve into trailblazing styles that are hard to find elsewhere. You’ll enhance your practical knowledge and appreciation for these innovators through research and discussion. This will give you a broader context and enrich your own performance practice.

Let this module be your gateway to discovering the vast possibilities in the performing arts that go beyond the norm.

You’ll be part of a production team, working together to put on an interactive play for a local school. Your team will operate like a professional theatre company, making the play, as well as related workshops and educational materials.

Through this, you’ll develop skills in participatory theatre, understand the link between performance and community, and discover how theatre can have a social impact.

You’ll also engage with young audiences, understanding their interests and what they need.

Learn to create theatre that connects with and supports young people.

This module is your gateway to mastering a diverse array of skills crucial for both collaborative theatre productions and individual research.

Throughout the module, you'll engage in a series of workshops led by experienced staff. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including community work, acting techniques, research and presentation skills, crafting funding applications, marketing strategies, production, technical design, and developing professional portfolios, including CVs and websites.

The learning journey in this module is centred around four key outcomes:

  1. Developing individual research skills, where you'll hone your critical and creative thinking, writing, referencing, and presenting abilities.
  2. Exhibiting professionalism in teamwork, entrepreneurship, communication, and industry-specific skills.
  3. Gaining and organising relevant knowledge applicable in both academic and professional theatre contexts.
  4. Articulate theatre and culture's significance in various spheres, including economic, political, and community settings.

By completing this module, you will have compiled a comprehensive portfolio that showcases your diverse skill set and prepares you for a range of career opportunities in the theatre industry.

You'll evaluate communication strategies, lead discussions to work towards desired outcomes, and align them with audience needs.

Analysing management styles and work-life philosophies, you'll learn to devise balanced, ethical frameworks to enrich sustainable practices. With strength finding and critical reflection, you'll be equipped to champion inclusive spaces where all voices are valued - driving innovation through unity.

You’ll work on a research or practical project of your own choosing, guided by one-on-one support. This project will be something you’re really interested in and that matches your goals.

We’ll help you as you bring together everything you’ve learned and show your ability to think critically, creatively, and analytically in your field.

You’ll improve skills like communication, business know-how, and the ability to reflect on your work.

This module lets you focus on a subject that really shows off your unique interests and abilities.

The skills and confidence you gain will prepare you for the workplace or further studies once you graduate.

Optional modules

Our expert staff selects special subjects based on the latest research and their interests.

You will learn about different topics in detail through seminars, ranging from specific musicals to popular culture trends. You will improve your critical thinking, articulate complex ideas, argue your point, and conduct research on your own. Your projects will focus on the topic chosen for the module.

By the end of the course, you will be able to share and explain your insights into the unique role of musical theatre in cultural history and popular entertainment.

You’ll team up with certain groups to make workshops, plays, or digital stories that address real community needs and interests. By leading these activities and being inclusive, you’ll nurture creativity and empower participants.

Work with organisations, handling relationships, creating suitable content, and organizing a meaningful public event.

This module gives you priceless experience in connecting with people through theatre. You’ll become more understanding, flexible, and confident in working with various communities. Above all, you’ll see for yourself how theatre can bring about change.

Complete relevant tasks demonstrating your specialized skills and independence. Gain global perspective, reflect deeply on personal growth, and build valued transferable abilities for professional life after university. Return home with experiences that inspire your practice and understanding of art’s global connectivity.

During this module, you'll spend 6 months working on your own business venture, then 3 months gaining industry experience. This opportunity allows you to apply what you've learned in a practical setting while exploring different career options. You'll also have the chance to develop professional relationships and expand your network.

Assess your personal strengths and weaknesses to set goals for the future. Throughout the module, you'll demonstrate increasing independence while still valuing the support of others. Gain a broader understanding of the world through real-world experiences and insights. Additionally, you'll earn valuable credits for your CV and enhance your skill set.

By the end of this module, you'll graduate with the practical experience that employers are seeking.

This experience lets you learn firsthand how to set up and run a small business. You’ll absorb professional practices and business situations that matter to your entrepreneurial goals. Make important connections while working independently within set rules. Think deeply about your strengths, weaknesses, criteria for success, and future plans.

This opportunity is useful for your career. It lets you use what you’ve learnt in your degree in the real world and helps you understand your capabilities.

After finishing this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get more credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable step in developing an entrepreneurial way of thinking.

You’ll spend 24–48 weeks at a chosen company, learning from professionals and helping out with actual projects. Gain confidence, knowledge, and skills by taking on more responsibility with gradually less help. As you progress, you’ll make professional connections and think about how you’re doing. Take in what you learn about how industries and businesses work.

This placement is an ideal chance to grow in your career. By using what you’ve learnt in a workplace, you’ll understand more about your own strengths, what you need to work on, and your plans after you graduate.

After this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get extra credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable part of your education.

Evaluating international contexts, you'll critically relate on-site activities to your disciplinary knowledge, gaining global creative insights. Working independently abroad, you'll complete relevant assignments, honing skills transferable to your future creative career.

Upon returning, thoughtful reflection will reveal your personal growth as you process new worldviews and cross-cultural competencies. This invaluable opportunity provides a chance to expand your creative knowledge while developing adaptability as a global citizen.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • workshops
  • lectures
  • seminars
  • collaborative work

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

How you're assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

  • practical productions
  • portfolio
  • written work
  • essays
  • group presentations
  • interview

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practical and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching staff

Staff who teach on this course include: 

Nikolas Hunter Wakefield Portrait

Dr Nik Wakefield

Senior Lecturer

nik.wakefield@port.ac.uk

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Erika Elizabeth Hughes Portrait

Dr Erika Hughes

Interim Head of School

erika.hughes@port.ac.uk

School of Art, Design, and Performance

Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Matthew Roy Smith Portrait

Dr Matt Smith

Reader in Applied Theatre and Puppetry

Matt.Smith@port.ac.uk

School of Art, Design, and Performance

Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Phoebe Ellen Rumsey Portrait

Dr Phoebe Rumsey

Senior Lecturer

Phoebe.Rumsey@port.ac.uk

School of Art, Design, and Performance

Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Christopher Floyd Danowski Portrait

Dr Kit Danowski

Senior Lecturer

kit.danowski@port.ac.uk

PhD Supervisor

Read more

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.

In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.

You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.

Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additonal course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Costs breakdown

Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

 

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £2,875  a year (subject to annual increase)

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – W400
  • our institution code – P80

 Apply now through UCAS

 

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.