Explore the Faculty of Science and Health
Discover the experiences, facilities and support waiting for you at Portsmouth
The best way to experience Portsmouth is in person – but if you can't make a trip to see us for an Open Day, this Virtual Experience is here to capture some of the character of our city, and to give you a taste of what life is like as a student in our Faculty of Science and Health.
Ready to start exploring?
Use the links below to jump to different sections of the page.
Explore our facilities
As a student in the Faculty of Science and Health, you'll have access to amazing facilities here – discover some of our exceptional teaching, learning, and lab spaces.
Centre for Simulation in Health and Care
Learn practical healthcare skills and apply your anatomical and physiological knowledge in a safe, contextual space using current clinical equipment.
Institute of Marine Sciences
Explore the marine ecosystems of the Solent European Marine Site at our shoreside marine station, complete with floating research platform, £2 million aquarium and laboratory suite, and 2 research vessels, RV Calypso and RV Noctiluca.
Physiology Laboratory
This lab includes treadmills, a swim bench, ergometers and a physiological monitoring kit for analysing athletes' blood, heart rate, and urine.
Pharmacy and Biomedical Science Teaching Centre
Practise the skills needed to diagnose and help people manage diseases, including collaborative microscopy - examining 3D microscopic images on a big screen with academics and other students.
Extreme environments laboratories
See how altitude and humidity affect people's comfort, performance and survival. Features an immersion pool and swimming flume, which acts like a treadmill for swimmers.
Mass Spectrometry and Laser Ablation Laboratory
Investigate the geological and planetary processes that influence environment change and natural resource formation in this lab, using our industry standard spectrometers and laser ablation system.
Environmental Chemistry Analysis Laboratory
Use the equipment in this lab to identify and analyse chemicals and biochemicals in surface water, groundwater and soil, so you can develop strategies to minimise and remove their harmful environmental effects.
Careers support
Your degree is just the start of your career – when you study with us at the Faculty of Science and Health, we'll help you find a work placement during your studies, and our Careers and Employability Service can give you career guidance for up to 5 years after you graduate. We can even help you get your own start-up company off the ground.
Find out more about science and health care placements
Life outside study
You'll have lots to discover outside of University. Portsmouth is a great place to live and one of the most affordable student cities in the UK.
Art, culture and nightlife in Portsmouth
There's so much to see and do in Portsmouth – from art galleries and museums, to nightclubs and late-night cafes
Beaches, piers and parks
Portsmouth is a bustling city with the sea on our doorstep and green spaces all around.
Sport in Portsmouth
From water sports to football and quidditch - few cities can compete with Portsmouth's sports opportunities.
Societies and student union
Find out more about the University of Portsmouth Students' Union – from how to get involved in its running, to the clubs and societies you can join as a member.
Hear from our students
Discover stories from our students and recent graduates, and find out why they chose to studying in the Faculty of Science and Health, and where their degrees have taken them so far.
Sophie's story
Sophie is President of our Pharmacological Society, and wants to eventually complete a PhD in the field. Find out why Sophie is thriving at the University of Portsmouth.
I love studying Pharmacology at Portsmouth because there’s a really great community of students and lecturers. After graduation I’m hoping to do a Masters of Research in drug discovery, and then after that hopefully I’ll be doing a PhD and then working in a lab in a pharmaceutical company.
I’m president of the Pharmacological Society – we run loads of really cool events which are both social and academic.
I would definitely recommend Portsmouth to any student who wants to go into further education. It’s not only a great university academically – there’s a great community feel here. You get great student support so I would definitely recommend it.
Our students' and academics' achievements
We're incredibly proud of our students and academics. Discover some of the stories of how they put their skills into practice.
- Cosmologists recognised for contribution to major new space mission
- Students join St Marys Hospital in response to coronavirus pandemic
- Palaeontologists reveal 'the most dangerous place in the history of planet Earth'
- Research in our Centre for Blue Governance is saving marine and freshwater environments
- Revolution Plastics and the Centre for Enzyme Innovation
- The science behind 'puppy dog eyes'
- Nursing student records song in praise of the NHS
- Our drowning prevention research is saving lives
Discover our courses
Explore the subject areas you can study in the Faculty of Science and Health and find the course for you.
Biological sciences courses
Get a deep knowledge of the natural world on our biological sciences courses, learning how to harness the earth and combat biological threats to humanity.
Earth sciences
Study the planet we live on – how it was formed, how to manage disasters and solve the world's pressing problems on one of our Earth Sciences degrees.
Geography and environmental science courses
Explore the scientific processes and physical structures of the natural world, and our effect on them, on one of our Geography and Environmental Science degree courses.
Healthcare and social care courses
The world needs healthcare and social care professionals – and our courses can help start your exciting career in the field.
Psychology and Sociology Courses
Learn the science of the mind on our BPS accredited Psychology courses, and its place in society thr
Sport science courses
A career in the sport and exercise industry – in whatever field you are aiming for – starts with one of our courses in sport and exercise science.
Explore our research
Discover some of the research we do in our four main research areas across the Faculty.
Biological Sciences
We're exploring how to treat genetic disorders, identifying novel targets for drugs and searching for advances in treatments that could impact millions. Explore our biological sciences research.
Health and Social Care
We're exploring managing the demands of an ageing population, rising numbers of mental health problems, and increasing complex, long-term health problems. Explore our Health and Social Care research.
Sports and Exercise Science
We're researching sport and exercise science with the goal of enhancing human performance and health.
Psychology
We're exploring topics from child development of social skills to eye witness testimony, and from the evolution of primate facial expressions to factors affecting drug use. Explore our psychology research.
Contact us
Get in touch with us for more information or general queries.
Email: sci-enquiries@port.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 5588