The University of Portsmouth is a public university in the city of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The history of the university dates back to 1908 when the Park building opened as a Municipal college and public library. It was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic until 1992 when it was granted university status through the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. It is ranked among the Top 100 universities under 50 in the world.
The university offers a range of disciplines, from Pharmacy, International relations and politics, to Mechanical Engineering, Paleontology, Criminology, Criminal Justice, among others. The Guardian University Guide 2018 ranked its Sports Science number one in England, while Criminology, English, Social Work, Graphic Design and Fashion and Textiles courses are all in the top 10 across all universities in the UK.Furthermore, 89% of its research conducted in Physics, and 90% of its research in Allied Health Professions (e.g. Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy) have been rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014).
The city is a friendly, welcoming place
You’ll be greeted by miles of beautiful beaches, pretty green spaces and a friendly, optimistic vibe.
The city sits just across the Channel from mainland Europe and is home to people from every corner of the world. The same is true of our students, who come from more than 130 countries.
We also get some of the UK’s best weather: our springs and summers are sunnier and warmer than elsewhere in the UK, and our winters are milder.
Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here
We have societies and clubs for everything from Anime, Bhangra, and Breakdancing, to Sci-Fi, Water Polo, and Quidditch. And our gym and sports facilities are some of the best around.
There's plenty to explore outside the University too: Portsmouth has an active arts scene and talented makers, painters, musicians, writers, and creatives.
You’ll get personal, academic and professional support
Nobody comes to university just to earn a degree: you’re here to grow as a person, to meet new friends, to learn more about your interests and to explore your potential career. We’re here to help with all of that.
Our Students’ Union (UPSU) is run for students, by students. It promotes your rights and looks after your wellbeing. UPSU is consistently ranked as one of the UK’s top 20 unions and can support and advise you on everything from housing to health.
You’ll be taught by exceptional lecturers in superb facilities
We build our courses so you learn the skills you'll use in your career – you’ll practice in simulated environments that mimic workplaces, and we’ll help you use your professional skills in the community.
For example, our Dental students treat NHS patients in our Dental Academy, our Sport and Exercise Science students coach pupils at local schools, and our Law students run legal advice clinics for the public.
- We're ranked 21 in The Guardian University Guide 2020 – the fifth straight year we've climbed the rankings
- We're a top 30 UK university for teaching quality and student experience, according to The Times Good University Guide 2019.
- QS World University Rankings gave us five stars for excellence in teaching and internationalization.
