Your Virtual Undergraduate Experience
Thinking of joining us? Get ready to explore the University and our city, from wherever in the world you are
Welcome to your Virtual Undergraduate Experience
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 Portsmouth student.
Ready to start exploring? Use the links below to jump to different sections of this page.
Where you'll live
Whether you live in one of our halls of residence or in a privately-rented home in the city, everything that Portsmouth has to offer – including the beach and the Common, a sprawling green space right on the seaside – will be within easy reach. Find out more about where you'll live when you study with us.
Portsmouth has proven an inspirational place to live. It has all the modern goings-on of a major city and also the beauty and peacefulness of the coast.
Living in halls: What to expect
Watch our video on life in halls as a University of Portsmouth student
Video showing benefits of University of Portsmouth halls - fully furnished, in the heart of the city, with bills covered. No dialogue.
Our halls of residence
Free broadband and WiFi, plenty of on-site amenities, and a room of your own in the heart of the city, close to your lectures. Find out more about living in our halls of residence.
Renting a house or flat in the city
Portsmouth has lots of beautiful and buzzing places to live within walking distance of the seafront, the city centre, and the University. Find out more at our private renting page.
Explore our facilities
When you study with us at Portsmouth, you'll have access to amazing facilities as part of your course – find out more about our teaching, learning, lab and testing spaces here, and take a virtual tour of our Library.
Teaching and learning spaces
Explore our teaching and learning spaces, where students can get hands-on with their coursework and projects.
Sport and fitness facilities
We're home to one of the leading Sport & Exercise Science departments in the UK, and exceptional sports facilities too.
University Library
A place to study, collaborate and find all the books and resources you need to succeed on your course. Our Library is a central part of uni life.
Lab and testing facilities
Our lab and testing facilities host practicals for undergraduates, post-graduate and academic research, as well as collaborative projects with industry.
Life outside study
University life is about more than studying. When lectures are over and you need a break from the library, you'll find there's so much to see and do in Portsmouth. Discover the amazing places to eat, shop and socialise, the beautiful seaside and green spaces on your doorstep, and much more.
Arriving in Portsmouth was incredible. I’d grown up in a very small town that was not remotely international, so seeing all the different types of people in one place was amazing.
Beaches, piers and parks
Portsmouth is a bustling city with the sea on our doorstep and green spaces all around.
Societies and student union
How to get involved in your Union including the clubs and societies you can join.
Places to eat in Portsmouth
Hungry for adventure? Here's a taster of the great food and drink you can savour in the city.
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
Sport in Portsmouth
From water sports to football and quidditch - few cities can compete with Portsmouth's sports opportunities.
Shopping in Portsmouth
We're home to great independent businesses, so shopping in the city is a real treat.
Portsmouth's music scene
Want to get involved in Portsmouth's music scene? Here's all you need to start.
Learn a foreign language
Immerse yourself in another culture and meet new people by choosing from our 8 language programmes.
Hear from our students
Our students chose Portsmouth for many different reasons, and their experiences studying with us are as varied as they are. Read some stories of success and self-discovery from our recent students and graduates below.
Some universities might just educate you and send you off into the world, but Portsmouth did so much more for me.
Why our graduates love the University of Portsmouth
Our graduates – including our Chancellor Karen Blackett and Paralympian Lauren Steadman – talk about why they're proud to be part of our community
Karen Blackett: I am incredibly proud to always be part of Portsmouth.
Ollie Marsh: I studied journalism at the University of Portsmouth and I now work at Portsmouth Football Club in the media team.
Lauren Steadman: I love Portsmouth – it's got so much character and I think you'd agree that it's cool.
Karen Blackett: It's part of my soul, it's part of who I am today, it's made me who I am today. To be able to go back and keep giving back is great.
Student stories
Studying with us is a great decision, but don't just take our word for it – read stories from our graduates about why they chose Portsmouth and how studying with us changed their lives.
Savannah Pascall: When I was in college, I used to feel quite lost. I don’t feel like that here.
Savannah put her passion for computing and projects into practice on her BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering degree.
Tom White: Whatever I go on to do in the future and whomever I go on to be, it will all have started here
Tom’s BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree put him on the path to an internship in theatre and a Master’s at acting school.
Katie Duxbury: Without my placement year, I don’t think I would have as much certainty about where I want my career to go
Katie's BA (Hons) Media Studies degree and placement experience led her to winning an award for Best Placement Student of the Year 2018.
Ndanu Brown: The idea of analysing crime scenes was so interesting, like real life mysteries
Ndanu's BSc (Hons) Criminology and Forensic Studies degree helped her find a passion and focus for her life through helping others.
Eddie Koppoe: Before my year abroad, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my degree
Eddie's study abroad experience helped him to discover his passion for sport finance while studying BSc (Hons) Sports Management and Development.
Study at Portsmouth
Whether you're thinking about applying for uni as an undergraduate or international student, all the information you need to discover what it's like to study at Portsmouth is here – from finding an undergraduate course that suits you, to discovering what student life is really like.
Undergraduate study
Read our helpful advice on how to find the right undergraduate degree for you, apply for a course at Portsmouth, fund your studies, student life and living in our city by the sea.
International students
Discover how you could join students from more than 150 counties in Portsmouth, and get all the information you need to apply for a degree course with us, wherever in the world you may be.
Undergraduate Open Days
Thinking about joining us as an undergrad? Book your spot at one of our upcoming Open Days.
Fall in love with Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a great place to live and a vibrant city surrounded by the sea. Discover why our students love living here and what it’s like to live and study in Portsmouth.
