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Journalism with Media Studies BA (Hons)

Gain a critical and practical understanding of the media with journalism disciplines and techniques. Learn from experts that have worked on international, national, regional, and online publications.

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

Key information

UCAS code:

P5P3

Typical offer:

112-120 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

Are you a budding critic, publisher, or journalist?

Our BA (Hons) Journalism with Media Studies degree course gives you a critical understanding of the media field while providing a grounding in journalism disciplines and techniques.

You'll learn from published media researchers and expert journalists, as well as using professional-grade media analysis and production facilities. You’ll also develop transferable skills you'll be able to use in any profession.

With the option of taking industry placements and the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) qualifications, you can tailor your study on this course to fit your ideal journalistic or media career.

Course highlights

  • Get further professional qualifications by taking National Council for Training Journalists (NCTJ) exams
  • Refine your practice by learning from published media researchers and journalists with written and broadcast experience in local, regional, national and international journalism
  • Learn more about the journalism and media industries by meeting visiting professionals from industry bodies – past guests include Dream Team FC, The Times, Novara Media, Sky News, and other local and national news and media outlets
  • Gain valuable industry experience by taking optional placements throughout your degree
  • Enhance your teamworking skills by collaborating with other students on other courses within the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
  • Capture information at up to 100 words per minute by taking shorthand training

6th

for journalism in the UK

(Guardian University Guide, 2024)

100%

of graduates in work or further study

(HESA graduate outcomes survey 2020/21)

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BA (Hons) Journalism with Media Studies

Typical offers

  • A levels - BBB-BBC
  • UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 25

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

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

See alternative English language qualifications.

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.

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

Your facilities

For web use only

Newsroom

Engage in hands-on learning and practical workshops in our newsroom, using the same hardware and software as news professionals. It features 25 Apple iMac computers with suites of image-editing, design and audiovisual tools as well as large monitors and TVs with Google Chromecast and 4K Apple TV capability.

More about the newsroom

Careers and opportunities

Writers, journalists, and media professionals are needed across a wide range of sectors, with communications and marketing being the most popular. Due to the shift to digital and online platforms to adapt to the pandemic, this demand has grown. The non-specialist skills you'll graduate with will also help widen your career options.

The majority of our graduates are in professional roles within two years of graduating, with some progressing to postgraduate study or taking further teacher training to become educators.

Graduate areas

Our graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:

  • online, newspaper, magazine and broadcast journalism
  • social media
  • public relations
  • marketing
  • corporate communications
  • publishing
  • teaching (with further study)

Graduate roles

Job roles our graduates have taken on include:

  • campaign assistant
  • editorial assistant
  • PR and marketing assistant
  • reporter
  • journalist

Ongoing careers support

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.

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.

My favourite part of the course is the range of units there are to choose from. The lecturers are all helpful and supportive. I also know there is a lot of mental health support available.

Ella Sinclair, BA (Hons) Journalism with Media Studies

Placements (optional)

Our Journalism courses offer two placement opportunities during your studies: a placement year, and a 10-day work placement. Both placements are optional on our combined Journalism courses.

  • The placement year takes place after your second or third year, and you can work in any area you choose. You can work for an agency, company or organisation, or join forces with fellow students to set up and run your own business.
  • The 10-day work placement happens during your final year, and is strictly journalism-based. You'll work with a company or agency.

Both placements will give you longer-term industry skills, knowledge and experience, as well as boost your CV and employability after graduation.

To make sure you get the most out of your time in the workplace, you'll get support from specialist staff before and throughout your placement – including our Creative Careers team.

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.

Garageband being used on MacBook

Should I go on a placement year?

It is not only about making tea and coffee in an office: a placement can transform your career, personal, and study development. Our students who've been on placements say they were the best experiences of their lives.

Find out more about the benefits of doing a placement on our Creative Careers blog.

Read our blog post

Placement destinations

We have links with many well-known media organisations. Previous students have done placements at locations such as:

  • The Daily Telegraph
  • The Daily Mirror
  • The Sun
  • The Daily Mail
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Vogue
  • Heat
  • Reveal
  • BBC
  • Sky Sports

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.

What you’ll study

Core modules

All modules in the year are core.

You’ll learn how to write effectively for academic purposes and find efficient study techniques to help you succeed.

By reflecting critically on your transferable skills, you’ll identify ways to enhance your employability.

You’ll also work on improving shorthand and research abilities. This will prepare you for the challenges of your degree and future career opportunities.

On this module you will be introduced to the variety and complexity of global media texts, audiences and markets. From animation to webisodes, contemporary cinema to the impact of franchises in games, TV and film, the module will introduce you to the complexity - and enjoyment - of texts from across the globe.


The module is delivered through research specialists explaining the impact of global media, accompanied by directed study guides, readings and screening workshops in our dedicated Screening room. You will be encouraged to offer your thoughts and interpretations of texts through your interaction with each other, and in creating your own academic blog. By the end of the module, you will be confident in exploring global media markets, offering critical analysis of media texts, and in becoming a proficient researcher and communicator of ideas.

You'll explore influential schools of thought for understanding mass media, from the past to the present. Learn how to analyse media texts and understand our media-filled world through case studies and exercises. Guided by experienced lecturers, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, research, and independent enquiry skills.

By the end, you'll have the essential knowledge and tools to start your journey as a media scholar, ready to explore deeper questions. Let this module set your curiosity ablaze as you explore the power and possibilities of media.

You’ll look into big topics, from regulation to digital disruption, and think critically about journalism. Analysing the relationships between journalists, audiences, and power, you’ll appreciate influences on reporting.

Gain the essential background to thrive as a journalist with this module, which covers ethics, laws, theories, and practical skills.

By getting into current issues and discussions, you’ll be ready to make work that really matters and keeps the public informed.

You’ll look at reporting limits and defenses in different sectors, gaining an understanding of how to ethically report while considering the public interest.

Study important legal decisions and self-regulation in the media to learn how to give advice on the best conduct in complex legal scenarios.

This course will equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate your professional life in an ever-evolving industry.

You’ll improve your ability to spot news and write creatively by working on assignments with real deadlines. Discover how to uncover engaging stories, find the best angles, and make facts interesting with your writing. Master methods for creating attention-grabbing headlines and catchy social media posts.

In our simulated newsroom, you'll learn to discover stories and adapt your reports for different audiences and markets. Understand the legal and ethical rules that journalists follow. Put together a strong portfolio of your published work, showing off all your reporting skills.

By the end of this module, you’ll have the expertise and professional work to succeed as a journalist today. Let your dedication to truth guide you as you uncover and share the stories that count.

Core modules

You’ll write sharp reviews and features, and make editorial decisions for different audiences across various media.

By looking at writing styles and revenue metrics, you’ll learn how to create content that really connects with people.

You’ll also explore research methods, helping you to put together a persuasive media research proposal.

This experience will boost your creativity and analytical skills. By the end, you’ll be ready for jobs where you can use storytelling to unlock new opportunities.

You’ll explore emerging technologies to understand how the internet, social media, and ambient media shape—and are shaped by—human behaviour. Consider expert opinions to spark discussions about online communities and the idea of an ‘information society.’ We’ll show you how to find trustworthy sources online, helping you delve into the participation culture across platforms.

By making your own digital content, you’ll learn about the impact of what people create and share in our always-connected world. Crucially, by taking part, you’ll improve your ability to use different media platforms and develop your creativity, preparing you for jobs in today’s digital-first workplace.

Optional modules

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 be taken through the steps that are followed by the TV industry to transform an idea into a finished 'taster tape', which is a short sample of a TV show idea.

Working in a team, you'll create high-quality content, which will improve your research and storytelling abilities. You'll also attend workshops and lectures conducted by professionals who work in the media. Here, you'll learn how to generate ideas, select the right people to appear on screen, and get TV executives interested in your show.

By analyzing actual TV shows, you'll gain insight into what makes good factual media. You'll also use your technical skills to create your own film, showcasing your editorial talent.

This module is an excellent opportunity to enter the exciting field of creating TV programs based on real-life events and stories.

Through a study exchange overseas, you will manage tasks and projects relevant to your course, working independently or collaboratively as part of a team.

The experience enables you to showcase your talents on a global stage while reflecting on your personal growth. With enhanced employability prospects, you return home with a new perspective to inform your practice.

You'll leverage data sources and freedom of information powers to uncover injustices. You'll examine legal and ethical constraints in journalism, building tenacious journalistic skills as you learn to seek truths in the public interest despite obstacles.

You'll evaluate story angles and plan how to maximise their impact, and gain digital-first abilities to hold the powerful to account.

Learn about the influence of TV, movies, ads, online platforms, and newspapers in the US, Canada, and Ireland. Understand how these outlets build a sense of who we are. You’ll develop key research skills to delve into the media’s cultural role.

You’ll get to watch films, listen to lectures, and work on a detailed project. This will help you learn ways to study identity, assess media in context, and create your own studies on how national stories affect our identity.

This module will equip you with the ability to critically evaluate the media’s role in forming national identity and give you the tools to conduct your own research into this complex process.

You’ll learn to shoot and edit stories ready for mobile platforms, enhancing your ability to work in the field.

Reflecting on content creation aligned to platform strengths, you’ll be able to use data-led strategies to better engage with audiences.

You’ll finish this module with the essential skills you need to succeed in contemporary journalism.

You’ll look at the history, roles, and ethics of PR, and see how it differs from marketing and journalism. Through workshops and practical tasks, you'll gain real-world experience creating press releases, campaigns, and promotional materials for actual clients. Whether working alone or in groups, you’ll develop valuable skills in talking to people, managing projects, and making different media content.

This module will give you all the tools you need to succeed in the busy world of PR.

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.

In this module you'll explore both historical and contemporary examples, analysing the various techniques used to control information.

Through diverse case studies, you will observe how propaganda reinforces ideology and capitalism across different forms of media.

By developing your analytical skills, you will gain a better understanding of propaganda's social impact and its relation to power.

This module provides valuable insight into the role played by propaganda in mass-mediated culture and offers tools to question its influence.

You’ll trace the development of film, TV, and digital media, grasping historical impacts and the concept of spectatorship. Look into expert analyses to explore how interactive technologies shape audiences and people. You’ll contextually analyse screen entertainment as an industry, considering economic factors and passive vs active engagement. Through a mix of practical and theoretical work, your projects will showcase your in-depth understanding of the subject. You’ll also evaluate online materials to support your findings.

By the end, you’ll have a well-rounded understanding of screen culture. You can use this to pursue many careers, from media programming to content creation.

You’ll study evolving reporting methods and audience interactions and suggest strategies suitable for new digital trends.

By looking at research on online communities, public discussion, and how people consume news on the internet, you’ll assess what these shifts mean for professional journalism—a field increasingly shaped by openness and audience involvement.

You will learn how to source stories and write to industry standards for print, digital and broadcast in a newsroom setting.

Throughout the module, you will become familiar with the culture and issues of your chosen field, and will produce interviews, reviews, and features to strict deadlines. You will also build a portfolio, grow your contacts, and pitch your work to real outlets.

This specialist experience will be invaluable to your future career prospects, and will give you a competitive edge in the industry.

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.

Optional modules

All modules in the year are optional.

Research from diverse lenses to build a questioning, reflective grasp of celebrity's principles and boundaries. Hone skills in independent thought, analysis, and articulation of ideas. Use presentations to illustrate arguments around the societal role of fame.

In this module, you’ll survey different media—from TV to print—and break down how they portray lifestyle, identity, and consumer habits. Studying these will help you understand the cultural importance of trends in shopping, home decor, and body image. Examine concepts like taste, social class, status, and alienation tied to consumerism, and link them to present-day problems. Choose examples to study in-depth, uncovering the messages behind consumer habits on your own. 

By the end of the module, you will have a solid understanding of the complexities of consumer culture and stronger analytical skills.

This understanding will deepen your insights into media, marketing, and human behaviour, preparing you for careers in fields like advertising and journalism.

You’ll look at how new technologies are changing political communication and giving more people a voice. Discuss the good and bad points: is social media bringing people together or dividing them?

Look into social movements and how people are using the internet to push for change. Study real-life examples of how political parties and leaders use (or don’t use) online tools. Get a solid understanding to judge what people say about the digital era. Learn to use critical theories to figure out technology’s role in running a country. Improve your ability to explain what digital media means for democracy to many people.

By the end of this module, you’ll be ready to join in on the conversation about how the internet is changing democracy.

You’ll ask sharp questions and look for answers, combining your analytical skills with a strong sense of ethics.

By referring to expert sources, you’ll deepen your understanding of a specific topic and improve your academic writing.

With careful project management, you’ll dive deep and turn your initial idea into a meaningful final study.

You’ll consider how the news presents important events such as wars, disasters, and emergencies, and reflect on the impact of reporting. Dig into how news is made and think deeply about the forces that shape reporting on human rights. By studying real examples and doing your own research, you’ll learn to apply complex ideas to your analyses.

You’ll come to see the important role journalism has in society and learn how to cover world issues responsibly. Be a part of important talks on how the media deals with human rights — discussions that could lead to real change.

In this module, you’ll research, plan, and create engaging stories with attention-grabbing multimedia. Get help from our expert tutors to set clear goals and take charge of your own learning. Chat with people, gather data, and make sure everything you do is ethical. Your final work will show your skills in innovating, thinking critically, and communicating clearly for professional awards or publications.

You’ll finish this module with a piece of work to be proud of, showing your talent for journalism and a topic you care about. Let this module be your platform to uncover and share stories that make a difference.

You’ll create a unique magazine for a specific niche and study the media environment. This will help you gain a competitive edge in everything—from branding to circulation.

Working as part of an editorial team, you’ll take on real industry roles, crafting engaging issues that perfectly blend concept, content, and visual excellence.

This practical experience is a solid base for coming up with ideas and producing magazines that truly stand out in the market.

Explore popular texts that have sparked dedicated fan bases. You’ll learn theories to grasp why audiences get so engaged. Study the roots of subcultures united by favourite movies, TV shows, and merchandise. Look at research on how fans interact, create communities, and set themselves apart. You’ll also get hands-on experience by joining fan groups online to study and support ideas about our strong connections with media.

With a mix of critical analysis, real-world examples, and practical research, you’ll uncover the social dynamics of fandom.

This module will deepen your understanding of why people become fans and how these communities operate, enriching your knowledge through both study and direct experience.

You’ll explore global finance and grasp how it sways political decisions through a virtual portfolio exercise. By studying the establishment, you’ll uncover where the power truly lies, from global factors to the media. You’ll critically assess if the media challenges those in power or simply echoes their views. The module combines theory and real-world examples to explain the connections between money, government, and the media.

With this knowledge, you'll enhance your critical thinking skills, ideal for careers in journalism, public relations, or policymaking. Above all, you’ll take part in discussions on current events as an informed and ethically aware person.

By analysing global case studies, you’ll assess how journalism prioritises sensational stories over peaceful resolutions during war. You’ll scrutinise the political and societal impacts of media coverage that favours violence and engage in discussions about this bias, forming your well-researched viewpoints.

This module invites you to consider how ethical journalism can transform the way we understand global discord.

Use what you’ve learned in a real job setting, which helps you become more employable and grow your professional contacts. By working in areas like journalism, PR, or broadcasting, you’ll get a real feel for how the media world works. This module helps you make the move from being a student to starting your career.

With the right preparation, you can make the most of this placement to show that you’re ready to work in the industry.

Use theory and history to see how literature, film, TV, new media, and journalism present technology, scientists, and science’s place in our world. You’ll learn to tell real science from fiction by evaluating their cultural settings. This will help you see how media shapes our understanding of science.

By looking at many examples and carefully thinking about them, you’ll discover how important it is to communicate science creatively.

Optional modules

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.

Undertake specialised assignments to demonstrate your abilities. Reflect on how global creative culture has expanded your perspective. Identify new transferable skills to empower your continued educational and professional journey.

Examining international contexts, you'll critically assess activities relevant to your field, gaining fresh insights into communication theory and practice worldwide.

In an overseas environment, you'll complete assignments independently, sharpening skills transferable to future studies and careers. Upon returning, thoughtful reflection will reveal your personal growth, as you process new worldviews and cross-cultural competencies.

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’re assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

  • essays and close textual analysis
  • in-class tests
  • media artefacts
  • seminar presentations
  • a 10,000-word dissertation or a major project
  • post-placement assessment

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 practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • practical workshop sessions
  • group based activities
  • producing magazines or webpages
  • placement

Teaching staff profiles

These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this degree course.

Course Leader

Ian spent 20 years working as a financial journalist at the Financial Times and The European, as well as running his own company. Ian’s teaching encompasses modules that cover British politics, current affairs and financial issues. He also maintains an interest in the importance of ethics in contemporary journalism.

Senior Lecturer

Emma delivers the magazine module for the Journalism course, having previously worked at The Royal Opera House as its Features Editor for online and digital copy. Before that, Emma was Deputy Editor of The Art Newspaper, a monthly publication for art world insiders, and prior to that, helped edit and produce Minerva, a journal for ancient art lovers.

Senior Lecturer

Claire is a former journalist who has worked on a range of regional papers, covering general news, from council meetings to murder trials. She was also a features writer, trying her hand at flying planes and training with the England Women's football team. Claire has also worked as a music journalist and sports reporter, specialising in football and cricket.

Senior Lecturer

Susana worked as a journalist and news producer for RTP Rádio e Televisão de Portugal, the Portuguese public service broadcaster, before coming to Portsmouth. Susana lectures across the undergraduate programme in Journalism, including in theoretical and methodological modules, and specialises in teaching and researching human rights, press freedom and the security of journalists.

Senior Lecturer

James is a specialist in political communication, with a particular focus on social media, political participation and citizenship, and digital news. His first monograph, Beyond Slacktivism: Political Participation on Social Media, was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2018.

James also has experience working in industry, carrying out social media research with the BBC World Service and the British Council.

Principal Lecturer

Mary is a smartphone journalism specialist, focusing on the impact of mobile devices and associated emerging and immersive technology on content creation and delivery in journalism and HE teaching. She also teaches all types of reporting from social-friendly content to longform articles across news and sports journalism, video filming and editing. Her background involves working for media and PR companies.

Lecturer

Paul spent 15 years working in regional newspapers, including The News in Portsmouth. During this time he worked as a news editor and also edited three monthly newspapers. After a brief spell in PR, he went on to manage award-winning NCTJ-accredited diploma courses, training students and apprentices.

Paul teaches across several units including media law, reporting, newsroom production and magazine journalism.

Teaching Fellow

Rae is a Teeline shorthand specialist having trained as a journalist at the University of Portsmouth, and has taught shorthand on various undergraduate degree programmes.

Rae has also spent time working in factual television production, gaining credits as both a production coordinator and researcher, with a particular focus on true crime.

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.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Journalism with Media Studies degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, workshops for about 12 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in Years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.

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

Additional 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.

You’ll do a placement module on this course, the cost of which is included in your course fees. But you’ll have to cover travel costs yourself. These will vary from £50–£500 depending on the location and duration of the placement.

You’ll need to contribute towards the cost of any exams you repeat to get professional accreditation during the course. These costs range from £13–£55.

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 – P5P3
  • 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.