UCAS code
Q301Mode 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
If you want a future with fewer limits, this is the degree for you. When you study English Literature at Portsmouth, you'll also explore history and politics, society and culture, human relationships and identities, and how we choose to live. And you’re doing it in a city steeped in lively literature, from Charles Dickens to Neil Gaiman.
You’ll explore complex, challenging issues – from masculinity to the Holocaust. You’ll learn the skills to critically analyse the purpose, truth and impact of any written text. You’ll also develop the skills to produce your own writing and presentations, so you can communicate original ideas in ways that engage and influence readers.
The combination of creative thinking and rigorous analysis you develop will make you a compelling candidate for all kinds of jobs – from marketing to museums, and journalism to publishing.
Course highlights
- Discover our literary city with the constantly evolving Portsmouth Literary Map – your course begins with a tour of literary Portsea and the Dockyards area, introducing significant places in the lives of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Neil Gaiman, Simon Armitage, today's local writers, and plenty more
- Enjoy the freedom to interpret assignments creatively, and develop employable skills in presentation and teamwork, on a course without exams
- Learn directly from staff who produce world-leading research into areas as diverse as magical realism and representations of food
- Build specialist knowledge by choosing the topics that match your interests – from global literature to dystopian and apocalyptic environments, from women’s writing to crime writing
- Develop your own style and build up your writer’s portfolio by becoming a contributor to our Writing Literary Portsmouth blog
- Learn what makes a winning book, from the Man-Booker to the Nobel Prize
- Curate your own literary prize or produce a prize pitch, to experience what happens when writing meets the commercial marketplace
- Build a professional network with high-profile figures including authors, agents, publishers, booksellers, prize judges and critics through our contacts and partnerships
95%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/2019)
96%
overall student satisfaction for our BA (Hons) English Literature course
(NSS, 2022)
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) English Literature entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject (calculate your UCAS points)
- International Baccalaureate – 25-26
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 a relevant 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.
Optional pathways
After you start this course, you can choose to modify the qualification you graduate with. If you combine your literature studies with an interest in history or the media, you could graduate with a customised degree:
How studying English Literature helped my career
Alumnus Nelson Hylton talks about how his English Literature course at the University of Portsmouth helped his career as a presenter at BBC Radio 1.
Nelson: When I was leaving sixth form, I wasn't exactly entirely sure what I wanted to do with my life. But, I knew that I loved reading and I loved writing, like, I spent so much time reading books and for me, it was the wide variety of literature that made me want to study at Portsmouth.
There were certain elements of the course where we'd have to do presentations and speak publicly, and that obviously helped me a lot with what I do now, speaking to thousands of people on air. But I'd says as well, the course helped me become more confident in my ability, speak to people and communicate my ideas and values across them so it helped me in a few different ways for sure.
Why Portsmouth? I would say there's so many different varieties of activities, be it, you know, radio or American football and the fact that you can take part in so much more than just your course.
I think some of my course lecturers were some of the best in the country, you know? They were great. They've worked really hard in helping me achieve my dreams.
Any university student is going to have ups and downs whilst they're at university, and the pastoral care and support from Portsmouth is second to none. They really help me and they really looked after me.
I would definitely say English literature does link to what I do now as a radio presenter because a lot of it is storytelling, trying to allow the listener to believe exactly what I believe and trying to guide them on this journey. I think those are all skills that I've picked up when formulating arguments in essays. It's helped me so much.
Careers and opportunities
Studying the written word at degree level draws on many diverse skills and ways of thinking critically. Which makes English Literature one of the most versatile subjects you can study, creating a wealth of career opportunities.
This degree will set you up to pursue careers in fields where communication and critical thinking matter. We outline some of these below, but employers in many more industries recognise the value of the transferable skills you’ll gain during an English Literature degree. Your CV will demonstrate:
- sophisticated analytical skills, enabling you to assess texts on any topic
- the ability to think critically and reach your own independent conclusions
- a flair for presenting and discussing ideas with diverse audiences
- the confidence to say exactly what you mean to say, in writing and in person
- a creative mindset that helps you see things differently and solve problems
- a well-developed sense of empathy and teamworking skills
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 literature degree?
After the course, you could work in areas such as:
- advertising
- journalism
- arts and media
- public relations
- copywriting
- teaching
- research
You could also study at postgraduate level.
Graduate destinations
Roles our previous graduates have gone onto include:
- copywriter
- journalist and editor
- marketing executive
- teacher
- paralegal
- sales executive
- museum curator
What jobs can you get with an English literature degree?
English literature graduates can be found in numerous sectors, filling a variety of roles - from journalist to teacher, marketing manager to legal advisor. Find out more about how versatile this degree really is.
Meet BA (Hons) English Literature graduate, Sophie Stevens
Hear from BA (Hons) English Literature graduate, Sophie Stevens, who's since embarked on postgraduate study and the British Council - Teaching English Abroad scheme.
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 placement year in the UK or overseas. 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. Mentoring and support throughout your placement will help you to get the most from the experience.
Previous students have secured placement positions at organisations such as:
- British Council
- Kings Theatre Portsmouth
- Ghent City Council, Belgium
- Centerprise International – an IT solutions provider
- Hays Recruitment
- local schools
Studying abroad
You can choose take part in a study abroad experience with one of our partner universities:
- Ghent University, Belgium
- Kiel University, Germany
- University of Luxembourg
- University of Malaga, Spain
You could also secure funding from the Turing Scheme to study abroad at one of our partner universities.
I chose Portsmouth because of the English Literature course it offered, it was varied and sounded interesting. Some of my work is currently being used in a Holocaust Memorial exhibition in The D-Day Story in Southsea.
Course-related projects and blogs
Portsmouth Literary Map
Explore Portsmouth's rich literary heritage and contemporary literature scene through an interactive map and blog
Writing Literary Portsmouth Blog
Our blog explores the literary depths of Portsmouth, featuring local and famous authors and their relationships with the city.
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, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
Modules
Core modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Analyse literary sources effectively and communicate such ideas in accordance with the principles of undergraduate writing.
-
Analyse and discuss critical and contextual sources, and communicate such ideas in accordance with the principles of undergraduate writing.
-
Understand the effect of historical context on the construction, and social inclusion or exclusion of differently constructed, bodies.
-
Describe key concepts such as the body politic, embodiment/disembodiment, the posthuman, queer, abject and grotesque.
-
Identify and analyse some of the ways in which literary and theoretical texts underpin, help negotiate and/or challenge social and cultural understandings of `the body', and vice-versa, and communicate such ideas in accordance with the principles of undergraduate writing.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Describe key concepts such as ‘world literature’, ‘global literature’, ‘diasporic literature’, and ‘transnational literature’.
- Recognise the challenges involved in the analysis of literature from different cultures and periods.
- Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues relating to power, class, gender, and ethnicity in literatures and cultures and reflect on these in relation to personal beliefs and values.
- Recognise the effects of reading literature in translation.
- Identify and discuss how literary and cultural traditions are formed, and how non-English language texts or literatures in English have shaped other national, regional, or linguistic traditions.
- Analyse literary, critical and contextual sources, and organise and communicate ideas effectively in accordance with the principles of undergraduate writing.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Research, plan, and write an essay suitable to the degree context in approach, style, presentation and level of engagement with primary and secondary sources.
-
Interpret a short work of prose using critically informed close-reading skills.
-
Identify and compare a range of narrative forms such as 'first person narrative', 'third person narrative' and 'unreliable narrator'.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Define key terms and identify critical approaches for literary study.
-
Incorporate critical theory into textual analysis as appropriate at this level.
-
Summarise, compare and evaluate different critical readings.
-
Identify and analyse the values of literary study, for education, society, and employability purposes.
Core modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify opinions related to the judgement of literary value and questions of canonicity.
- Make critically informed judgements of value based upon textual analysis and related approaches.
- Reflect on the role played by literary prizes in the reception of texts.
- Understand the relationship between degree-related skills and work-related environments and activities.
- Identify and implement appropriate techniques for solving work-based problems.
- Take further responsibility for your own learning activities.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Identify relevant sources for an undergraduate research project.
-
Recognise different approaches that can be taken within literary research.
-
Compare and contrast critical approaches to a theme and/or topic.
-
Formulate a dissertation proposal.
-
Evaluate research progress and identify areas for development.
-
Evaluate employability skills and identify ways of putting these in to practice
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module:
- Identify key concerns addressed in crime and detective literatures.
- Read analytically literary texts within the crime genre.
- Apply different theoretical approaches to a defined problem within crime and detective literatures.
- Conduct targeted independent research that results in a critical literary analysis of crime and detective literatures, demonstrating awareness of relevant theoretical approaches.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Define and critically assess key terms and concepts for theoretically-informed literary analysis.
-
Demonstrate advanced and critically-informed close reading skills.
-
Systematically conduct independent targeted research for a specific project that results in a critically informed and contextualised literary analysis.
-
Demonstrate knowledge of the potential or actual interplay of different theoretical approaches to a given issue on the module.
-
Engage in analysis of the role of literature and the humanities in helping us to analyse real world social, environmental, and political issues.
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:
-
Recognise the varying disciplinary perspectives on the concept of security within a criminological framework.
-
Critically discuss the drivers of societal risk and insecurity.
-
Recognise the nature and impact of economic and political developments.
-
Explain and assess the many forms of threat to the security of states, corporations and individuals.
-
Identify and assess responses to security threats at the global, national, local, corporate and individual levels.
-
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:
-
Critically discuss key marketing concepts.
-
Retrieve and analyse appropriate real world marketing information.
-
Apply theories of marketing to real world contexts.
-
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.
-
Communicate understanding and knowledge of complex ideas, concepts and themes and issues explored on the module clearly, effectively, and creatively.
-
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:
- Identify key concerns, aesthetics or genres that allow for a sub-categorisation of post-1800 US writing.
- Critically evaluate different theoretical approaches to a defined concept within US writing.
- Produce critically informed close readings of US literary texts.
- Conduct independent research about an identified concept and offer a literary analysis of US writing in context.
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 the mechanisms employed in the pursuit of truth, justice and reparation for human rights abuses in selected countries.
-
Analyse the effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms in selected countries.
-
Analyse how political, social, cultural, and legal factors facilitate or hinder transitional justice in selected countries.
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
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify key concerns, aesthetics or genres used in texts by women in the Americas.
- Critically evaluate theoretical approaches to a defined problem.
- Produce critically informed close readings of literary texts.
- Conduct independent research about an identified problem and offer a literary analysis in context.
Optional modules
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:
-
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 viable dissertation.
- Make use of a range of current research or equivalent advanced scholarship in the relevant field.
- Deploy established and relevant techniques of analysis and enquiry within an ethical framework to a specific and focused area relevant to English Literature.
- Critically evaluate assumptions, arguments and data (which may be incomplete) in order to form a judgement, frame further questions and identify potential solutions.
- Manage and reflect upon own learning and communicate in writing to a specified audience relevant to the academic or community.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Analyse and critically evaluate various scholarly approaches to the study of a strand of specialist history on the theme of empires, anti-imperialism, or identities.
-
Provide a critical analysis of appropriate primary sources, including reflection on research, methodology, and interpretation.
-
Effectively communicate in a variety of appropriate formats, either individually or in a group.
Example topics include:
- The Opium War, 1839-1842
- The Imperial City: Popular Culture, Slums and Scandal in Britain, 1780-1939
- Racism and Anti-Racism in Post-war Britain
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Analyse and critically evaluate different scholarly interpretations of a specialist topic on the theme of societies in revolution, or periods of profound structural change.
-
Locate, analyse and critically evaluate a range of primary sources, including non-textual sources.
-
Construct and present arguments effectively and persuasively, either individually or in a group, in a range of appropriate formats.
-
Demonstrate intellectual, transferable and employability skills appropriate to the field of history.
Example topics include:
- Conflict, Conspiracy Consensus: Religious Identities in Elizabethan England
- Britain in Revolution: the Impact of the Civil Wars: 1637-1662
- The French Revolution
- Thomas Jefferson and the Making of the American Republic
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Define, deploy and critically assess core terms and concepts for theoretically informed literary analysis.
- Apply critically-informed close reading skills to the analysis of text.
- Analyse and evaluate the cultural meanings and ideological assumptions present in Victorian representations of food and consumption.
- Synthesise different critical perspectives on food in literature to produce a critically informed and contextualised literary analysis.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Identify and critically define key concepts that influence Holocaust writing.
-
Assess critically the ways in which Holocaust writing is influenced by trauma and (post) memory.
-
Analyse the importance of Holocaust writing in the formation of cultural memory.
-
Conduct critical readings of Holocaust writing that are informed by a broad selection of critical and theoretical approaches, and reflective of wide-ranging independent research.
-
Creatively author a portfolio of innovative reflections on selected Holocaust writing.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Define and critically assess key terms and concepts in relation to primary texts.
- Demonstrate advanced close reading skills.
- Apply appropriate strategies for the literary study of complex ideas.
- Conduct targeted research that results in a critically informed and contextualised literary analysis.
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:
- Demonstrate an understanding of how time and temporality inform, underpin and affect narratives.
- Discuss theoretical aspects of narrative fiction, with a focus on time and temporality.
- Define, critically assess and apply key terms and concepts (e.g. narratological concepts) to primary texts.
- Demonstrate theoretically informed approaches to, and close readings of, literary texts.
- Evaluate and apply appropriate strategies for the focused literary study of complex ideas.
- Conduct independent research that results in a critically and theoretically informed literary analysis.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Compare and contrast key theories and concepts in masculinities studies.
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Evaluate a wide-range of theoretical models and use them to undertake a critical analysis of representations of masculinity.
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Use initiative to identify contextual research material and, demonstrating critical awareness, deploy this knowledge to analyse textual representations of masculinity.
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Communicate knowledge of masculinities studies and use it to interrogate critically a range of texts.
-
Apprise and apply key concepts in masculinity studies to produce a theoretically-informed literary analysis, reflective of wide-ranging independent research.
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.
I chose to study English Literature at the University of Portsmouth because it offered modules I’d never seen before like Crime Writing and courses on contemporary novels.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
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
Media ready expert
Dr Christine Berberich
Media ready expert
Dr Paraic Finnerty
Media ready expert
Dr Charlotte Boyce
Media ready expert
Dr Ben Davies
Media ready expert
Dr Mark Frost
Dr Christopher Pittard
Dr Maggie Bowers
Media ready expert
Dr Elodie Rousselot
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- essays
- textual analysis
- presentations
- a dissertation
- real-world projects
- creative assignments
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 Literature degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 9 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.
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 September 2023, please apply through Clearing.
Got your results? Apply online now
Alternatively, call our Clearing Hotline on +44 (0)23 9284 8074 or visit our Clearing Hub to chat with us online.
Our Clearing Hotline is open:
- 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday
- 9am–4pm Fridays
- 8am–8pm Thursday 17 August (A Level/T level results day)
- 8am–7pm Friday 18 August
- 10am–3pm Saturday 19 August
Waiting for your results?
Visit our Clearing Hub for the latest information and to request a results day call back.
International students
We welcome Clearing applications from international students and you can apply in exactly the same way as UK students do.
Applying for year 2 or 3
If you've already completed part of this course with us or another university and would like to apply for the second or third year, use our online application form.
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – Q301
- 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.
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.