UCAS code
W615Mode of Study
Full-time, Full-time sandwich with work placementDuration
3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placementStart date
September 2023Accredited
Yes
Overview
Visual communication and entertainment have become a dominant force in the last 20 years, with animation at their core. Animators are in demand across a range of creative industries including television, film, web, computer games, education, and marketing.
With our Animation degree course, you'll gain the sought-after technical skills, artistic insight, and platform diversity to apply your talent to any form of visual arts, media, or communication. You'll develop advanced abilities in character animation, visual storytelling, compositing and editing, and learn from active industry professionals who’ve directed animations for Disney, Warner Bros., and Cartoon Network, and produced special effects for prominent film franchises like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Chronicles of Narnia.
At the end of the course, you’ll be primed for a successful career in 2D or 3D animation across multiple industries.
Course highlights
- Practise the techniques that animators use in the film industry, such as the performance capture process used in the film Avatar
- Learn industry-standard software and production methods and use professional animation equipment including Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, TV Paint, and Wacom Cintiq digital drawing displays
- Meet prospective employers and industry contacts by showcasing your work at our student screening in London
- Gain valuable industry experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement year – either with a company or as self-employed
- Demonstrate your technical proficiency to industry peers by earning Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) accreditation
- Impress the public and potential employers by showcasing your final-year work at our annual Graduate Shows
- Put your artistry and skills to prize-winning test by taking part in our annual University GameJam
90%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19)
Accreditation
This Animation degree course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Services), a group of industry professionals and employers.
The JAMES accreditation lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work in the animation industry when you graduate. This gives you an edge over students who didn’t do an accredited course when you’re applying for jobs.
JAMES reviews our accreditation every 3 years to make sure the Animation course content remains up-to-date with industry trends and developments. So you’ll always be learning skills relevant to your career.
Watch our BA (Hons) Animation Graduate Show 2021 showreel
We've picked some of the best work from our 2021 graduates so you can get a taste of what you can achieve by studying Animation at Portsmouth.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Animation
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112–128 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 – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
Selection process
All shortlisted applicants will need to attend an interview with a portfolio of work.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our BA (Hons) Animation creative portfolio guide.
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.
Facilities and specialist equipment
Wacom Studio
Design eye-catching illustrations, animations, and layouts in our 20-seat PC studio with industry-leading Wacom Cintiq widescreen graphics tablets.
Motion Capture Studio
Learn how to use the same professional motion capture equipment used in VR, game design and film.
Careers and opportunities
The UK’s animation industry creates pioneering content and visual effects worldwide for commercials, websites, games, and interactive technologies. Animations for events, concerts, theatre performances, and theme parks are also on the rise (Animation UK). With the rapid development of future technologies such as virtual, mixed, and augmented reality, animation continues to be a growing sector of the global media and entertainment market.
Upon completing our Animation degree course, you can be part of this vital industry that transcends all sectors.
Graduate roles
Our graduates have worked in a wide range of artistic roles, including:
- animators
- concept artists
- directors
- compositors
- creative directors
- art directors
- modellers
- user interface (UI) designers
- post-production technical directors
Graduate destinations
Our graduates have worked at renowned companies such as:
- Climax
- Framestore
- The Mill
- Sony Pictures Animation
- Kuju Games
- Centroid 3d in Pinewood Studios
- Cartoon Network
Graduate productions
Some of our alumni have worked on high-profile feature films and cartoons, including:
- Avatar
- Life of Pi
- Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland
- The Amazing World of Gumball
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.
Throughout ... I was given plenty of opportunities to develop a range of skills ... without the pressure to pick a specific path. This was definitely one of my favourite aspects of the course, which enabled me to get a sense of where my strengths lie while encouraging me to explore areas that I may not have considered previously.
Placement year (optional)
Between your second and third year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.
You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
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.
Placement destinations
Students have completed work placements at Oscar and BAFTA winning companies such as:
- Mosaic Films
- Framestore
What you can do on a placement year
If you're thinking of doing a placement but not sure what role to take or where to go, we can steer you in a direction that fits your aspirations.
Check out our Creative Careers team's blog to discover where fellow creative technologies students have interned during their studies.
What you'll study
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, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.
Modules
Core modules
What you'll do
You'll get a solid understanding of weight, materiality and kinetics. You'll learn techniques such as squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, straight ahead and pose to pose animation, follow through and overlapping action, slow out and slow in, arcs, secondary action, timing, exaggeration and solid drawing.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to demonstrate:
- An understanding of key animation principles, 2D key framing and dope sheets
- The ability to prepare drawings for 2D animation that demonstrate weight, volume, movement and gesture, balance, and timing
- An understanding of animation studio production methods including planning, key framing, inbetweening, line testing, clean-up and art-working
What you'll do
You'll explore interface familiarisation and 3D orientation, 3D database structure and file management, polygon modelling, materials and textures, lighting and rendering, animation tools, basic rigging, and skinning.
You'll also research, develop and produce a 3D animation.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Identify the processes and methods involved in the production of a 3D animation project
- Use design processes and methods to produce a research and development portfolio
- Select and apply the appropriate software skills to produce a 3D animation
What you'll do
You'll explore colour, texture and mark-making and be introduced to traditional and digital painting techniques.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Execute drawing to record the shape, structure, proportion, weight, balance and movement of the human form
- Critically reflect on your drawing
- Use drawing to record the colour and texture of objects and environments with attention to composition
- Use colour, texture and mark-making as a means of expression
- Explore image manipulation and movement using relevant 2D software
What you'll do
You'll also develop technical skills in sound and editing, and learn how to visualise and develop ideas and narrative through storyboard techniques.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate narrative understanding through use of animatic
- Appraise and present ideas for an animated film production
- Demonstrate knowledge of structure, continuity, composition, sound, editing, timing, character posture and design to an animatic production
- Employ ideas and organise material in a comprehensive manner, utilising appropriate technologies to clearly communicate
What you'll do
You'll develop critical thinking and analysis skills and learn about key concepts such as semiotics, stereotypes, discourse, identity, viewing positions and cultural difference.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Identify and describe key theories about meaning production, representation and spectatorship
- Discuss contemporary debates about representation and spectatorship
- Articulate critical understanding and basic analysis of animation and film
- Recognise the relevance of theories and debates to your creative work
- Recognise a variety of animation and film work styles and contexts
What you'll learn
- Apply a range of modelling techniques to current and future animation projects
- Appraise working methods in relation to industry practitioners
- Appraise a range of industry projects to identify techniques and approaches
- Research and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of producing assets for animation & VFX
Core modules
What you'll do
You'll develop collaborative team working and communication skills, and enhance your understanding of the commercial production workflow of animation studios.
You'll learn research methodologies required for successful character animation and develop practical animation skills in 2D or 3D animation.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module and the accompanying 'Animation Group Project: Production' module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate technical and organisational skills in the group production of an animation production diary and project report and further research and development folder
- Demonstrate the ability to meet the demands and constraints of working as an efficient and active team member
- Evaluate and appraise animation research methodologies
- Select and employ a range of industry relevant 2D or 3D animation techniques
- Critically reflect on own practice
What you'll do
You'll continue developing collaborative team working and communication skills, and enhance your understanding of the commercial production workflow of animation studios.
You'll continue learning research methodologies required for successful character animation and developing practical animation skills in 2D or 3D animation.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module and the previous 'Animation Group Project: Introduction' module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate technical and organisational skills in the group production of an animation production diary and project report, as well as a further research and development folder
- Demonstrate the ability to meet the demands and constraints of working as an efficient and active team member
- Evaluate and appraise animation research methodologies
- Select and employ a range of industry relevant 2D or 3D animation techniques
- Critically reflect on your own practice
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Record information, generate and develop ideas, plan and structure work flow and create visualisations in the form of stills
- Produce visual research sketchbooks that examine the full working process through dynamic and visually stimulating drawing
- Record the structure, shape and movement of animal forms through drawing
- Interpret narrative creatively into informative and visually persuasive storyboards
- Explore a variety of animation techniques
- Utilise 3D modelling software
What you'll do
You'll focus on theoretical and historical contexts of production, and engage in debates on topics including the shift from analogue to digital technologies, globalisation of media institutions, international art movements, narrative structures and themes, transculturalism and fandom.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Describe and assess key critical debates around animation
- Evaluate research sources and place them within theoretical contexts
- Assess issues of representation in relation to production of animation
- Describe transcultural/global contexts of contemporary cultural production
Assessment
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop independent, analytical and creative attributes, through engaging imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries
- Demonstrate the ability to be effective team players, able to provide leadership and to support the success of others
- Communicate clearly and effectively, in a range of forms and to different audiences
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Employ relevant approaches to work flow
- Create a large variety of qualities of movement to a professional standard
- Select and employ a range of performance related to character animation development
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Evaluate and appraise animation research methodologies
- Select and employ a range of industry relevant animation techniques
- Critically reflect on own practice
- Select and employ a range of performance and narrative skills related to character animation development
What you'll learn
The learning objectives of this module are to be confirmed.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Reflect on their learning and experience to date and use this as a basis to plan and organise suitable work experience(s) that will enable the development of their professional profile.
- Propose a programme of learning that enables the development and demonstration of specified professional skills.
- Critically evaluate their learning and experience and relate this to their future career goals.
- Communicate the outcomes of their experience through the effective use of reflective practice.
What you'll do
You'll be introduced to the use of several technoloigies including motion capture and real-time rendering. Through the production of an animated and VFX film you'll go through the full pipeline from conception, previs, production and post-production, and develop industry relevant skills.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Apply the fundamentals of staging and cinematography for successfully conveying the visual requirements that support both the story and technical requirements of a film
- Rapidly create a myriad of varied assets that meet professional standards and solve creative issues efficiently in industry standard software
- Appraise the theoretical and practical aspects of Virtual Production technology to further results in the production process
- Apply the various professional tools and techniques involved within a Virtual Production to their own projects
What you'll do
You'll work with other disciplines to develop knowledge and skills in industry-standard compositing software. As you investigate design and storytelling through collaboration with sound designers, you'll equip yourself with an understanding of design language and experimentation.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Produce animations applying design and experimentation
- Produce a story with no character development using new forms of mixed media
- Develop knowledge and skills in industry-standard compositing software
- Investigate the relationship between design, colour and tone to create mood
- Gather and formulate ideas and organise material presenting it in a professional manner, utilising appropriate technologies to communicate the ideas clearly
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse the complexities of launching a startup business
- Critically reflect upon the factors which contribute towards successful market research, marketing, manufacturing, and selling
- Recognise suitability for specific roles in business and collaborative working
What you'll do
You'll learn to combine observational skills and technical art to create impressive visual effects. You'll also build your work practice by using efficient workflows, goal oriented iteration and accounting for complexity, rendering time and resource overheads.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate practical solutions to real problems using appropriate visual effect techniques
- Apply a range of different kinds of physics simulations and procedural based effects
- Analyse and reflect upon a library of reference works and observations, articulating how their research has informed and progressed development
Optional units
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within self-employment, freelancing or business startups
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through a portfolio (100% of final mark).
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with a reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within self-employment, freelancing or business startups
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
What you'll do
You'll take this optional module as part of the second year of your course.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Manage and complete tasks in an overseas study environment relevant to your course, with an appropriate level of skill, independence and performance
- Reflect on your personal development and how your employability prospects have been enhanced by the exchange
What you'll do
With the support of the Creative Careers team, you can find, apply for and complete a year of a work placement with a variety of employers - previous placements have been offered from NBC, Disney, Warner Bros. and a variety of SME's in the region.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with a reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within their chosen area of employment or self-employment
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
What you'll learn
- Critically assess how activities relate to disciplinary knowledge and practice covered on the students' undergraduate course within a global context
- Manage and complete tasks in an overseas study environment relevant to their course, with an appropriate level of skill, independence and performance
- Reflect critically on their personal development during their study abroad, identify the transferable skills acquired and their relevance to future study and employability
Core modules
What you'll do
You'll set up an online presence for your portfolios and animations, research potential employers, and develop skills for online networking.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Produce a CV, design pack and showreel to an appropriate industry standard
- Demonstrate an industry-relevant level of presentation
- Research and evaluate relevant opportunities in relevant industries/education
What you'll do
You'll gather and formulate ideas, research through a range of sources, organise your material, and use appropriate technology to present it in a professional manner.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of animation production through creative practice
- Critically reflect on your practice with appropriate research and exploration
- Analyse and contextualise your creative practice with relevant research
- Appraise and present ideas clearly for an animated production
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Employ the appropriate skills to create and produce an animated film or equivalent
- Document the production process, which explores and contextualises your production decisions
- Critically reflect on the creative practice with appropriate research and exploration
- Utilise acquired skills developed throughout the degree to create an appropriate level and quality of work relevant to your project(s)
What you'll do
You'll produce an extended essay, developing academic arguments supported by engaging critical ideas from seminars and from the supplied reading list.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically evaluate how particular media forms organise understandings, meanings and effects
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the interconnectedness of films/animations and their contexts
- Employ a critical awareness of major debates in film studies, animation and visual culture by evaluating academic and aesthetic sources
- Select and employ the necessary transferable skills needed to organise and manage self-directed projects
- Assemble your completed work in a professional manner, to a specific length, format, and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas
Optional modules
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Create a variety of qualities of movement, to a professional standard
- Handle character animation briefs confidently, to industry standard
- Demonstrate a professional ability to prepare a range of drawings for 2D animation, which demonstrate weight, volume, balance, timing, movement and gesture
- Produce animated sequences of good quality (which include line tests/pre-visualisation/earlier iterations as well as finished examples)
- Demonstrate a professional ability to composite scenes from different layers/elements
- Demonstrate proficiency in working with 2D animation software
What you'll do
You'll also receive short projects, exercises and support for your major animation project.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Understand, analyse and demonstrate competent visualisation skills using 3D animation, compositing and modelling software
- Visually communicate representational form using animation software
- Select and apply the appropriate software skills to produce 3D models, textures and animation to a professional standard
What you'll do
You'll develop awareness of professional pre-production methods and build an understanding of the importance and relevance of production planning in the industry.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Explore and engage with a range of pre-production approaches in the development of your film concept
- Analyse and contextualise your pre-production methods with respect to industry practitioners
- Critically negotiate and contrast the decisions and actions you have taken to achieve your finished design work
- Develop a clear and confident portfolio of work, with appropriate exploration, planning methods, and execution
What you'll do
You'll develop the compositing skills that are essential for entry to mid-level Compositing Artist & VFX Artist jobs in the entertainment industry, including advanced green/bluescreen extractions and multi-layer composites.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Layer and combine disparately created elements into a perceptually cohesive whole
- Create seemingly photoreal or seamless images using a variety of methods
- Articulate, analyse and reflect upon their work through using technical terms used in the VFX industry
What you'll do
- Demonstrate practical solutions to real problems using appropriate visual effect techniques
- Apply a range of different kinds of physics simulations, and procedural dynamic effects
- Analyse and reflect upon a library of reference works and observations, articulating how their research has informed and progressed the development
What you'll do
You'll explore this through the use of the CCI Motion Capture Suite and industry-standard software.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Appraise theoretical and practical aspects of performance capture technology to understand the character animation production process
- Demonstrate an understanding of the technical aspects of 3D character animation and performance capture technology
- Demonstrate the ability to apply the appropriate judgement and techniques needed to ensure that the fidelity of an actor's performance is preserved, from capture to data delivery as effectively as possible
Additional content
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:
- animation design projects
- a showreel and portfolio
- written coursework (one module per year)
- a dissertation
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 includes:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- one-on-one tutorials
There’s an emphasis on production processes such as computer animation, modelling, rigging and rendering.
Teaching staff include experienced experts who have worked for companies such as the BBC, Channel 4, Framestore, Sony Computer Entertainment, Disney, Warner Brothers, Weta and Double Negative.
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this degree course.
Mat Garey, Course Leader
Mat has 12 years’ experience as an animator and artist, including 7 years at Sony Computer Entertainment.
He’s worked on titles including Looney Tunes, The Getaway 2: Black Monday and Resident Evil, and was part of the BAFTA award-winning team for Wipeout 3.
Paul Charisse, Senior Lecturer
Paul has 14 years' experience in the feature film and game industries and is a facial animation specialist.
He’s worked as a 3D animator on titles including Prince Caspian and Hellboy. He also animated the character Gollum as part of the Oscar-winning team for Lord of the Rings.
Colin West, Lecturer
Colin specialises in 3D and visuals effects. He’s worked in advertising and film for multiple award-winning visual effects studios.
Colin has worked on motion pictures including The Guardians of The Galaxy, Exodus: Gods and Kings, and Jupiter Ascending. In advertising, he’s worked on projects for brands such as Pepsi, Audi, Galaxy, British Airways and Sony.
Eva Palacios, Senior Lecturer
Eva is a compositing specialist. She’s worked for the BBC and on international award-winning animations for Channel 4.
As the creative director of Toifund Ltd she’s worked with big-name clients including Aardman, Penguin/Warner and Arcadia.
Dr Jackie West, Senior Lecturer
Jackie is a Fine Art practitioner who has exhibited nationally and internationally.
She’s artist in residence at Portsmouth Football Club. She's also Art Director for the University’s feature-length film, Stina and the Wolf, which you can get involved with when you study with us.
Vincent Woodcock, Lecturer
Vincent is an animator, cartoonist and illustrator. He worked at Richard William’s Studio in London.
Among other titles, he co-directed the Disney film Duck Tales: The Movie, and was the character animator and designer at Warner Brothers on Space Jam. He also directed, animated and designed for more than six years at Cartoon Network.
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 Animation degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes and 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.
Supporting your learning
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 (2023 start)
- 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 Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,900 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.
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.
Additional costs
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 need to cover additional costs, such as travel costs, if you take an optional placement or placement abroad.
These costs will vary depending on the location and duration of the placement, and can range from £50–£1000.
During your placement year or study abroad year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, this discount amounts to 90% of the year’s fees.
Tuition fees for that year are:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2023, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – W615
- our institution code – P80
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.
How to apply from outside the UK
See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of 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.