The University of Portsmouth is situation on the south coast of the UK, and boasts some of the best weather in the UK. The city of Portsmouth is an exciting island city with lots of culture and has great entertainment choicesl It is also one of the top ten most affordable cities in the UK for students (Natwest Student Living Index).
1908 - Park building opened as a Municipal college and public library with a focus on chemistry and engineering
1945 – We started teaching arts and humanities subjects
1969 – We became Portsmouth Polytechnic
1992 – After a decade of one of the largest and best performing polytechnics in the UK, we received university status and the University of Portsmouth was born
Education
Teaching comes first at the University of Portsmouth and our students are central to everything we do. University of Portsmouth offer more than 190 undergraduate degrees and 150 postgraduate and doctorate degrees and programmes across a broad range of subject areas.
The students benefit from opportunities such as:
Work-related learning experiences
Volunteering opportunities
Learning a language free of charge
Exchange and study abroad opportunities
Student competitions, including GameJam and the Enterprise Showcase
Research
University of Portsmouth is a globally responsible institution, committed to identifying and solving problems, enriching people’s lives and creating lasting impact. University of Portsmouth wants to help shape the future and know it takes more than words to make a difference.
That’s exactly what our research aims to do. The University is making a significant difference in the world. 78% of our research impact was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF.
The belief in knowledge-sharing makes our research exceptional and relevant. The approach is always collaborative, and we work with local and global partners in education and industry.
Career
97.5% of graduates are working in further study six month after graduation (DLHE) and University of Portsmouth is the No.1 in the UK for boosting graduate salaries (The Economist).
The Careers and Employability Service and staff can help you find suitable work placements and other opportunities to enhance you career prospects.
All of the courses include work-related learning, such as integrated work placements and sandwich years, visits from employers and activities in simulation work environments – for example, our replica law court, journalism newsroom, model pharmacy and TV studios.
Plus, you’ll have access to support from the Careers and Employability Service for up to five years after you graduate.
Top reasons to study here
A guaranteed a room in University halls of residence.
It holds the Gold standard from the UK government’s Teaching Excellence Framework. This government scheme recognized excellent teaching in UK universities.
The University of Portsmouth is the 21st best university in the UK, according to the Guardian University Guide 2020.
University of PortsmouthKey Statistics & Highlights
#517Ranking
62 Courses
3,600Academic Staff
31,000Students
5,200Students (int'l)
13,950Students (female)
Public Institution Type
Student services
University of Portsmouth offers support and advice to all students, including:
Finance support and advice
Additional support and disability advice
Academic help and support
Student wellbeing service
Nursery facilities
Chaplaincy and prayer facilities
Maths café
Global café
Housing services
University of Portsmouth are able to guarantee a room in University halls of residence to all new, full-time students who make us their firm, first choice and meet accommodation deadlines when starting courses in September or October. There is a huge range of student accommodation to choose from, including:
Self-catered or catered
En suite or shared bathrooms
Shared flats or corridor rooms
Studio flats
Female or male-only designated areas
Designated quieter rooms
Wellbeing support in halls
There are also plenty of private rented shared houses and flats and lodgings close to the University and the city centre.
Library services
The spacious, comfortable and well-equipped library in open 24 hours a day during term time. It boasts meeting pods, bookable group study rooms with presentation facilities, soft seating areas, a café and almost 390,00 printed books, 700,000 ebooks and 55,000 journals. Friendly staff are there to help ¬¬– you can chat to a librarian online or by phone 24/7 all year.
ICT services
The students have access to all the following and more:
Wi-Fi across campus
Free IT support
Laptops of 24-hour loan
Computer suites with specialised software and equipment
Free Microsoft Office download
Open access areas, printing and scanning facilities and group working areas
Medical services
It is a good idea to register with a doctor as soon as you arrive. We can advise on which surgery is closest to your accommodation. You can also register at the University Dental Academy and Eye Clinic. Alternatively, there are a range of dentists and opticians throughout the city.
Campus life
University of Portsmouth is a city campus based in the heart of Portsmouth, a compact island city. Most University buildings and halls of residences are right in the city centre and everything you need ¬– entertainment, shopping, the seafront – is in easy reach.
Southsea seafront is a short walk from the city centre and main University campus. Here you can enjoy fantastic sea views, four miles of beach and the green spaces of Southsea Common.
If you want to see more of the UK, you will find good road and rail links to other major cities. London is just 90 minutes away via a direct train. Gatwick, Heathrow and Southampton airports are within each reach.
Sports facilities
The facilities include our 100+ station gym with free weights and abdominal areas, sports halls, outdoor football and rugby pitches, tennis and squash courts, astro turf and 3G pitches. The sports instructors lead around 50 exercise classes a week in air-conditioned studios.
2021 will see the opening of a new £53 million indoor sports facility featuring:
Eight-lane swimming pool
Eight-court sports hall
Extensive gym with 175 fitness stations
Multipurpose studios
Climbing wall with bouldering facility
Ski simulator
Student clubs
The Students’ Union enriches the daily lives of Portsmouth students. They give a voice to our students, with access to support and advice when you need it. They also provide weird, wonderful and thought-provoking activities and services which broaden your horizons, make you more employable, and help you make lifelong friends and support you through student life.
The Students’ Union has a huge range of student-led societies, covering physical activities, culture, politics, faith and much more. Take to the stage, play in an orchestra or even present a TV programme in Victory Studios. Whatever your interests, you will find other students who share them.
University of PortsmouthOverview
University of PortsmouthRankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 6.8%United Kingdom
Top 8%Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
517
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 41 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
2025
2026
2027
577
558
517
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
662
By TopUniversities
Dropped 27 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
631
635
662
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
401
401
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2026 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
2024
2025
2026
-
901
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
I love everything about it
Excellent study experience
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromMay 2026 - Sep 2028
Posted onMay 2026
5/5
Where Education Meets Opportunity
My experience with University of Portsmouth has been truly inspiring and motivating. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed and supported throughout the application process. The university stands out for its commitment to academic excellence, student support, and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth.
What I appreciate most is the university’s diverse and inclusive environment, where students from different backgrounds are encouraged to thrive and pursue their ambitions confidently. The courses are career-focused, innovative, and designed to equip students with practical knowledge and real-world skills.
The support from the admissions team and staff has been exceptional, making the entire journey smooth and encouraging. Portsmouth genuinely reflects its reputation as a place where education meets opportunity, empowering students to build a brighter future and achieve their goals.
Posted byAnonymous
Studied fromMay 2026 - Sep 2027
Posted onMay 2026
1/5
The studying is so boring
Not good at all, very boring and delivering methodology of studies.
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