UCAS code
QQ31Mode of Study
Full-time, Full-time sandwich with work placementDuration
3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placementStart date
September 2023, September 2024Overview
Language shapes our experience of the world – from our social and emotional lives, to our experience of society, work, politics and culture. Immerse yourself in the nature of spoken and written language, and how it's used in everything from digital communication to forensic investigation.
You'll study how language works, including the relationships between language, the mind, and society, and how language varies through time, place, culture and identity. You'll explore the different ways people use language and what they use it for. Discover methods for analysing spoken and written language, how we learn language and how we teach it.
You'll develop sought-after skills including communication, creativity and critical thinking. You'll be taught by expert researchers and study alongside students within the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics – bringing opportunities to learn from the latest research and build intercultural relationships.
Course highlights
- Discover how the use of language affects perceptions of important contemporary issues, such as gender, sexuality, education and globalisation
- Learn the linguistic skills to spot how language persuades and prejudices people – from what drives social movements on social media, to relationships in the workplace
- Develop the skills employers want, including analysis, criticism, negotiation, argument and problem solving
- Tailor your degree to suit your career ambitions, including options that equip you to work internationally, such as intercultural communication and teaching English as a second language
- Learn from dedicated, expert researchers from the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics who specialise in areas including language and gender, English as a transnational language, the language of mental health, professional communication, sociolinguistics and translation
- Have the opportunity to build skills in ‘corpus linguistics’ analysis – essential skills in a world where working with 'big data' is the future
Options to customise your degree
You can choose to customise your degree depending on your interests and ambitions, by specialising in English literature or teaching English as a foreign language.
If you want to combine your study of English language and linguistics with a passion for English literature, you can choose to take a look at our pathway degree: BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Literature.
If you’re interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) you can upgrade your qualifications with the Trinity College London Certificate – an internationally recognised TESOL qualification.
You’ll need to pass an additional entry test and interview to add TESOL to your studies.
The best part of the course was being given the opportunity and freedom to choose to study the areas I enjoy the most in English Language and Linguistics. For example, I was able to discover and explore my interest in teaching in modules like TESOL and Introduction to Teaching.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels – BBB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, to include English or another Humanities/Social Science subject (calculate your UCAS points)
- International Baccalaureate – 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see 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.
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, to include English or another Humanities/Social Science subject (calculate your UCAS points)
- International Baccalaureate – 25–26
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
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.
Why study English Language and Linguistics?
"Language is a really powerful thing." Meet the students and lecturers from our BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics course, discover what they love about the subject and how it can help in your future career.
Lucy: Language is a really powerful thing. I think it's so powerful that you don't even notice that you can do so much with it. But studying that is really interesting, and I just had a moment where I was like, this is the course I want to do.
William Forsyth: The BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics consists of three years between the second and the third year, you can have a placement year. Some of the topics we cover on the course lead into a lot of things that people want to do afterwards, so we have quite a lot on education. For people who want to go into publishing and marketing, using social media, we have clinical linguistics for people who want to go into language therapy and that kind of thing. We have forensic linguistics.
Grahame Luff: Forensic linguistics is the study of language applied to forensic situations in context, i.e. looking at written documents and speech and using that to solve crime. The skills that students will learn will be analytical skills, the ability to take new ideas and concepts and apply them to different situations.
William Forsyth: We have two modules aimed specifically at teaching English to non-native speakers. The first one is called TESOL, which is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. And the second one is an accredited module examined by Trinity.
Rebecca Hamlet: Trinity is a recognised teaching qualification and it qualifies students to teach in language schools all over the world and TESOL is the input for that. They are assigned to a tutor, they work with a class and they deliver lessons with feedback and support from their tutors.
William Forsyth: By undertaking the BA, that will allow them to go and do a Master's course, there's then the opportunity to do a PhD, set up their own consultancy service or join the police.
Rebecca Hamlet: Many jobs involve language and linguistics because it is about communication. I can't think of many careers where understanding about language wouldn't be enormously helpful.
Alexander: I've definitely taken an interest in forensics as well as the language of law. So I've applied for various Master's along the line of forensic accounting as well as a conversion to law. But this courses has definitely helped me get a much clearer line of what I'd like to do moving forward.
Max: I think what made me really realise that I loved the course was during the start of COVID-19, it was a difficult time for a lot of students, and a lot of people in general. I still found myself enjoying the lectures, even from a distant learning point of view. And then when coming back into the classroom this year, really made me go, "Okay, I've loved it online and now I love it in person."
William Forsyth: The reason why I would recommend students coming to Portsmouth is that the teaching staff are excellent, the provision that the teachers provide is excellent and the support that students will receive here is also excellent.
Lucy: When I visited the University of Portsmouth, it just clicked for me because I'd visited a number of other unis and it just didn't feel right. But when I visited here, I just loved the closeness of everything to each other and it just felt right.
Rebecca Hamlet: Language and linguistics has many, many different aspects because at the end of the day, language is everything. We are surrounded by it. It's powerful and we need to know how it works in society.
Careers and opportunities
You’ll graduate with specialist expertise in language and linguistics, plus sought-after employability skills including:
- analytical techniques and reasoning
- communicating clearly to diverse audiences
- data collection and interpretation
- developing persuasive, evidence-based arguments
- problem solving
Previous graduates are now applying these skills in a diverse range of sectors and industries. If you decide to pursue a career that’s closely related to your studies, you could apply for jobs in writing, editing or publishing. Or employ your research and analysis skills to go on to postgraduate study, in areas such as speech therapy, communication studies, law and marketing.
This degree course gives you the freedom to explore topics and find areas you're most passionate about, and the foundation to pursue these areas after graduation. Further study in forensic linguistics could open up possible careers in law enforcement, criminal justice or legal firms. You could also develop your linguistic talents to work as a speech therapist or train actors to master different dialects.
A global survey of 1000 business leaders by the Harvard Business Review [...] found that the skills most in-demand by employers are those in which Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts graduates specialise – from communication, problem solving and creativity, to research and analysis.
What areas can you work in with an English language and linguistics degree?
You could work in any of the following areas:
- advertising
- education
- communication
- media
- marketing
- publishing
- technical writing
- teaching English
Graduate destinations
Previous graduates have gone onto further training and work in various fields, including:
- accountancy
- the armed forces and police
- banking
- research
- journalism
- law
- local government
- health services
- public relations and marketing
- publishing
- speech and language therapy
- teaching
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
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 of study, you can choose to do a paid work or research placement year. This lets you put your new skills to work while developing valuable links with employers.
It’s fantastic for your CV and will really help you stand out when applying for jobs after graduation.
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. With mentoring and support throughout your placement, you’ll have our support to get the most from the experience.
Previous placement destinations have included:
- 7 Stars – a media company in London
- Babylangues – a company helping infants and toddlers learn English in France
- HMY - translation and teaching English in France
I enjoyed the range of units that my course offered. My favourite unit was forensic linguistics, as this was something I had never covered before.
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
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
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Identify phonological features in an English language text; describe them; and explain their possible causes and effects.
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Identify morphological features in an English language text; describe them; and explain their possible causes and effects.
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Identify lexical and semantic features in an English language text; describe them; and explain their possible causes and effects.
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Identify syntactic features in an English language text; describe them; and explain their possible causes and effects.
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Compare texts in terms of their phonology, morphology, lexis & semantics, and syntax.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
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Read critically and organise points to form a coherent and cohesive argument on a discipline-related topic.
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Collect and analyse short extracts of authentic spoken data.
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Report collaboratively on the findings of the research project through a group presentation.
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Produce a written report of the findings including potential modifications as well as reference to existing research.
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Reflect on how the research skills developed in this module can contribute towards employability.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and describe some language teaching strategies and approaches and provide a basic rationale for their uses.
- Identify the main classifications of grammatical and lexical description, and their functions, as applied to English.
- Reflect upon their experience of learning of an unknown foreign language and make contrasts and comparisons between the unknown foreign language and English.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify various functions of language and the different uses of language for different purposes.
- Reflect on and describe relationships between the individual, groups, society and language.
- Identify linguistic variation in relation to factors such as geographical region, social class, ethnicity, gender and nation.
- Describe aspects of the relationship between language and mind/thought.
- Explain how first and second languages are acquired, produced and comprehended.
- Collect relevant information from external sources and present your findings on the relevance of aspects of linguistics in a wider context.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
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To recognise and describe features of texture in written and spoken texts.
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To be able to analyse transcribed spoken interactions, whilst referring to appropriate transcription notation conventions.
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To show an awareness of relevant Discourse Analysis concepts and terms, and be able to apply them successfully to texts.
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To be able to draw reasonable inferences about social interactions based on an analysis of communicative features.
Core modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and evidence patterns of language forms.
- Discuss the relationship between patterns of language forms and social activities.
- Analyse a variety of texts in relation to the social activities of which they are a part.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
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Demonstrate a sound awareness of the semantic and pragmatic levels of meaning in English, their terminology and principles, particularly through the analysis and creation of relevant examples and short texts.
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Demonstrate an engagement with academic literature and current developments in semantics and pragmatics, including corpus linguistics and social media discourse.
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Analyse the discourse of written and spoken text, including social media, in semantic and pragmatic terms.
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Provide reflective analyses of semantic and pragmatic concepts.
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify different speech disorders and how they are caused.
- Recognise different types of speech impairment.
- Describe a sample of clinical language data in terms of its grammatical structure.
- Analyse different theories of language impairment.
- Apply knowledge of language impairment theories to clinical language data.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Engage with contemporary debates regarding colonialism, decolonisation and its legacies in Europe and Africa.
- Critically analyse primary and secondary sources.
- Present a reasoned argument in written form, using appropriate terminology.
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Communicate clearly and effectively about social problems and their consequences.
- Evaluate strategies for addressing forms of inequality and/or sustainability and obstacles to their implementation.
- Demonstrate the ability to be an effective team player able to support others.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically examine the language of the law and the discourse of courtrooms in relation to the exercise of power.
- Critically discuss the tools and principles of authorship identification and plagiarism in order to determine the origin of a text and establish its authenticity.
- Recognise and critically analyse different forensic text types in order to be able to establish their veracity.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
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Recognise the varying disciplinary perspectives on the concept of security within a criminological framework.
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Critically discuss the drivers of societal risk and insecurity.
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Recognise the nature and impact of economic and political developments.
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Explain and assess the many forms of threat to the security of states, corporations and individuals.
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Identify and assess responses to security threats at the global, national, local, corporate and individual levels.
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Locate, interpret, question and summarise information from a number of different sources.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Assess key theories in intercultural communication research.
- Collect data/information and analyse it from an intercultural perspective.
- Research a certain aspect of culture and communication.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify and describe features of 'literariness' in a range of texts.
- Critically discuss such features and how they contribute to the style of texts.
- Identify, describe and discuss the use of metaphor in literary and non-literary texts.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
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Comment, with critical awareness, on management and leadership in the global workplace.
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Identify and evaluate a number of different cross-cultural perspectives on the management of organisations and people.
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Critically analyse chosen aspects of processes and systems for the management of people in different professional cultural contexts.
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Write a professional report, with reference to relevant theory, which identifies management challenges and possible solutions in a specific cross-cultural workplace.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Critically discuss key marketing concepts.
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Retrieve and analyse appropriate real world marketing information.
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Apply theories of marketing to real world contexts.
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Distinguish between different forms of communication within the marketing context.
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:
-
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key sources, concepts, ideas, substantive analyses, and contemporary relevance.
-
Demonstrate ability to compare and contrast analytical approaches to the study and explanation of themes and issues explored on the module.
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Communicate understanding and knowledge of complex ideas, concepts and themes and issues explored on the module clearly, effectively, and creatively.
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Work effectively, both independently and as a member of a group, to research, prepare and deliver a report.
-
Produce an organised, well-structured and concise answer to an essay question demonstrating critical engagement with relevant texts and analyses.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically and reflectively engage with literature exploring nationalism from various disciplines
- Analyse current political and economic debates surrounding immigration
- Evaluate how global inequalities relate to nationalist social and political structures and ideologies
- Demonstrate an understanding of how the issues discussed are relevant at micro and macro levels globally
- Understand and critically question how nationalism and national identities are often taken for granted in Western societies, and how this relates to contemporary global power relations
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Examine current issues relative to traditional (i.e. print and/or broadcast) media
- Empirically analyse media texts in terms of ideological representation
- Identify and justify the selection of appropriate media texts and appropriate analytical frameworks in the formulation of a short empirical research project
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Know and recognize the varying disciplinary perspectives on the concept of the principles of economic crime investigation within criminological, legal, and economic frameworks
- Become familiar with the main types of organisations involved in investigating economic crime including SFO, NCA and FCA etc.
- Identify the different modes of investigative techniques employed in investigating economic crime
- Analyse information on the investigation techniques employed in real economic crime cases
- Gather, retrieve, and analyse information from a variety of sources
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 learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Explain two or more different theoretical and/or empirical approaches to the study of Second Language Acquisition.
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Compare two or more different theoretical and/or empirical approaches to the study of Second Language Acquisition.
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Explain, in a form appropriate to a specified audience, the nature and the implications of two or more different theoretical and/or empirical approaches to the study of Second Language Acquisition and the reasons for those implications.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Discuss conceptual and thematic aspects of the literature.
- Reflect on the ways that subjectivity is formulated at specific periods and is related to place and/or gender.
- Recognise the materiality and historicity of philosophical and theoretical concepts.
- Comprehend the significance of perception for the subject and in narrative voice.
- Define and critically assess key terms and concepts for theoretically-informed literary analysis.
- Demonstrate critically-informed close reading skills and contextualised literary analysis.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse samples of spoken and written English, taking into account such factors as grammar, lexis, discourse features and context of production.
- Analyse samples of spoken English at the segmental and suprasegmental level.
- Make contrasts and comparisons between English and other languages..
- Compare and contrast the learning and motivational needs of various types of language learner.
- Critically evaluate how English for speakers of other language (ESOL) methodologies impact on the practical aspects of lesson planning and exploitation of material (pedagogy).
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Analyse the mechanisms employed in the pursuit of truth, justice and reparation for human rights abuses in selected countries.
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Analyse the effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms in selected countries.
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Analyse how political, social, cultural, and legal factors facilitate or hinder transitional justice in selected countries.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify different methods and approaches to the teaching of languages, in particular English as a second or other language (ESOL).
- Design a series of lesson plans for an ESOL class based on published and own materials.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of materials and make simple adaptations to such materials for use in a defined context.
- Critically reflect on your own performance as a trainee teacher and draw up action plans for future professional development.
- Elaborate a series of recommendations for the learner profiled in TESOL including grammar and phonology.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Analyse the different types of wildlife crime and summarise environmental factors
- Recognise and examine the importance of environmental justice and sustainability
- Locate, access and engage with information pertinent to environmental justice and wildlife crime
- Interpret and assess new and existing knowledge
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and identify further opportunities within the subject area
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are to be confirmed.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically reflect on the competencies required within a placement environment.
- Identify and evaluate the learning experience and the relevance of this learning to future careers and professional development, identifying areas for improvement or further training.
- Self-evaluate their success in meeting the objectives identified in the learning agreement.
Core modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Design a suitable dissertation/project proposal.
- Use current research or equivalent advanced scholarship in the relevant field.
- Use established and relevant techniques of analysis and enquiry in an ethical framework to a specific and focused area relevant to the subject.
- Critically evaluate assumptions, arguments and data (that may be incomplete) to form a judgement, frame further questions and identify potential solutions.
- Manage and reflect on your own learning and communicate in writing to a specified audience relevant to either the academic or workplace community.
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate given creative texts/activities in terms of their potential for developing language learning.
- Choose creative texts and activities suitable for exploitation in given classroom contexts and justify this choice.
- Design a series of lessons using creative texts/activities to develop language skills for specified levels of learners.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Discuss critically the rise of modern English.
- Discuss critically the diversity of different varieties of English.
- Account for features of early modern English in a historical perspective.
- Account for features of modern English in a historical perspective.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse the geography and the history of the spread of English in the world.
- Critically appraise the salient aspects of the sociolinguistics of English in the world.
- Critically reflect upon the political, ideological and pedagogical implications of the spread of English in the world.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of key concepts, models and research findings associated with language, gender and sexuality.
- Critically engage with texts and identify socially-related assumptions about gender and issues related to gendered discourse.
- Critically evaluate gender views projected by the media.
- Appreciate the different methodologies used in research on gender, language and sexuality.
- Convey complex theories to a non- specialist audience.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Develop a critical understanding of the big issues and contemporary debates in education and teaching.
- Analyse and apply the fundamental concepts of teaching and learning theory to the planning and evaluation of a lesson plan.
- Understand the importance of safeguarding children.
- Critically reflect on current developments in teaching and learning.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Compare the structure and functions of different types of social media.
- Critically evaluate various communication strategies on different types of new media.
- Evaluate the way social relationships and identities are affected by electronic communication.
- Develop presentation and public speaking skills.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate personal professional profile and relate this to the development of effective job application strategies.
- Research, compare and contrast and critically evaluate employers expectations in terms of candidates' skills, attributes and competences in different sectors of employment.
- Reflect on and evaluate their scores from a range of Psychometric tests to prepare for an upcoming employment assessment.
- Communicate professionally the outcomes of their experience to potential employers via the production of a CV, statement, video pitch and a mock and formal job interview.
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 learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse critically examples of spoken discourse in the workplace
- Apply theories of interpersonal communication to specific spoken workplace contexts
- Apply knowledge of rhetoric to deliver a professional and persuasive presentation
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Manage and complete tasks in a study relevant to their course, with an appropriate level of skill, initiative, independence and performance.
- Critically reflect on the formal learning experience and student ambassadorial role for the University, and consider the relevance of this learning to future study and/or employability and personal development.
- Critically assess how activities relate to disciplinary knowledge and practice covered on the student's undergraduate course within the global context.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Apply theoretical frameworks to critically analyse examples of written professional communication.
- Evaluate and produce examples of professional writing.
- Apply knowledge of rhetoric to deliver a professional presentation.
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.
To find something I’m so interested in has made me happier and more determined to do well in all parts of my life. I think that’s due to the vast amount of topics, taught by lecturers that are so dedicated. There is such a supportive environment.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- online activities
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.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- examinations
- essays
- reports
- case studies
- book reviews
- written work
- projects
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.
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 English Language and Linguistics degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 11 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.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
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.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development 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
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 our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees (2024 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 our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £18,100 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.
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.
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 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.
Enhance your degree with an internationally recognised qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: the Trinity College London Cert TESOL. This opportunity is conditional on a successful performance in an entry test and interview in order to fulfil professional requirements.
There's no cost if you take the Trinity College London Teaching Practice module as one of your options.
If you choose to take this module outside your planned curriculum, there's a fee of £355.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2023, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – QQ31
- 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.
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – QQ31
- 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.