University of Portsmouth

Over 4,000 postgraduate students call the University of Portsmouth campus home. 

An ideal choice for postgraduate students, the university has great research credentials, excelling in areas such as astrophysics, forensics and sports science. 89% of its research in physics, and 90% of its research in allied health professions was rated as either ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’ by the Research Excellence Framework in 2014.

The University of Portsmouth also holds a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017, making them one of only four universities in the south east to receive this award.

Portsmouth offers over 200 postgraduate degrees, in a wide variety of disciplines, across the following five faculties:

• Faculty of Business and Law
• Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Science and Health
• Faculty of Technology

Located in the buzzing maritime city of Portsmouth, students at the university benefit from one of the many  bursaries and hardship funds offered each year.

As a student in this city, there are plenty of attractions from the historical warships in the port area, to the iconic Spinnaker tower and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. While the Coronavirus situation means prospective students can't currently attend the campus in person, students can explore the city and the university from anywhere in the world. 

So until the university is able to welcome its student home, take a virtual tour of the university’s accommodation, read stories from their students, look around the campus facilities and discover Portsmouth's amazing food, shopping, sport and culture.

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“It has been the most amazing experience for me in the uni. The uni provides all the facilities to students in each and every aspect. It's Just like a dream Uni. All the latest technologies. It's the best uni where I can grow my skills and achieve my career goals”

“I have really enjoyed being challenged at a higher level and refining my skills. I enjoy thinking about how my course will help with my future development as it has really refined what I want to do as a career. The uni is absolutely amazing overall!”

“I love being here, it’s an amazing place for different activities, I am learning lots of new things. The university staffs are always happy to help student anytime”

Portsmouth’s Careers and Employability Service is open to all students and for graduates for up to five years, meaning students can be confident that they’ll be supported on their journey from university to the job market.

From the very first day, students have access to MyCareer, where they can find hundreds of job opportunities, as well as a friendly and helpful team of staff to help find voluntary work experience placements for those wanting to garner some more experience ahead of finishing their degree.

For those who are unsure about what to do next, the staff are available to guide each individual student through their options, from finding further study, deciding on the right career to where to start a job search.

For students who already have big plans, the university offers support with job applications, CV writing and mock interviews.

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Very good, extremely helpful service”

“Uni makes an excellent effort to support employability. It has open online registration for the jobs students to work. It also has a separate office at commercial road regarding job searches - whether it is full-time or part-time. Any students can go and uni itself for help finding a job.

“They’ve done a lot of works to solve the student problems about getting part times and full time jobs”.

The university currently offers over 130 Master’s courses across a wide variety of disciplines including Engineering, Sciences, Business and Economics and the Arts.

They offer a variety of research degrees, including PhD, MD, MRes and MPhil courses, again covering a wide range of subject areas.

The university received a Gold award – the highest possible – in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017, which is supported by the teaching staff’s many years of combined professional experience.

Many lecturers still work in their fields or are actively engaged in the university’s world-leading research, so students can be sure they are getting an up-to-the-minute education, informed by what’s going on in the industry.

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“My favourite thing is the great relationships with our lecturers and tutors, allowing a great support system. The small group sizes are also great.”

“It’s very practical. They use lots of games to teach and interactive based models to support learning”

“The support offered is brilliant. I’ve studied elsewhere in the UK as well, but teachers and academics here really make you feel confident. Constructive feedbacks are one of my favorite, as it really helps. Along with personal tutoring sessions are available when needed”

Portsmouth’s Students’ Union is run by students, for students, where youth leaders develop their skills and represent ‘the student’ and the students’ rights on campus. It’s the first place to go for a wide range of advice and support services.

There students can find comfortable social and group learning spaces, along with pool tables, a café, a Starbucks and the Waterhole Bar. There are also amenities like a bookshop, a small supermarket, a photo booth and printing services.

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“The student Union is very active and their impact is felt around the Uni. They hold lots of events round the year and provide excellent support for students”

“It is absolutely great, I recommend it for anyone I know and anyone asking”

“It is the best part of University, where all the students of different departments meet up.  There is good bonding between the students, new friendships develop. Excellent facilities are provided in the student’s Union over here”.

Many of the university’s postgraduate students choose to live off-campus, however a small number do live in university accommodation. Students can find more information on Accommodation options on the university’s website.

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Nice, modern and good value”

The University of Portsmouth boasts great facilities for its students, like the library which is open 24 hours a day, with solo and group study spaces, meeting pods and social areas. There are also 10 cafes on campus, serving food and drinks at student-friendly prices.

Each faculty also has excellent, often industry-standard facilities for its students – just some of these include:

• Interpreter training suite
• Digital language labs
• Print workshops
• Sewing room
• State-of-the-art science labs
• Business simulation suite
• Healthcare simulation Centre

There is even a GP surgery on campus! As if all that wasn’t enough, the university is also investing a further £400 million in facilities over the next 10-15 years as parts of its Estate Masterplan.

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Uni facilities are just Awesome. They provide excellent facilities to students in the uni itself so that student has no need to go anywhere else. Uni has a free bus for students for pick-up and drop in Portsmouth. Uni provides latest technology for various courses and for students in their perspective courses...”

“It is very good, you always have a support and many facilities that you can use in terms of libraries, online research, and books”

“Facilities and equipment are modern and suitable to student's needs”

Portsmouth is a lively city with plenty to keep students occupied all year round.

Located on the coast, its ideal for outdoor activities, be that relaxing on the beach, going for a swim or strolling along the pier. There are plenty of parks to explore, such as Victoria Park or Southsea common, where students can play sports, enjoy outdoor fitness or a picnic lunch.

For students wanting to indulge in a spot of retail therapy, Commercial Road offers shoppers all them main high street shops whereas Palmerston Road is open to those wanting to browse through the variety of independent stores and markets. Students are never short on options if they need to stop to refuel either, as there are lots of cafes, restaurants’ and plenty of pubs for students to enjoy.

Experience the cultural side of the city with a trip to the historic docklands, the D-day Museum, or local landmark, the Spinnaker Tower. For those wanting to venture further afield, there is the options to pop across to the Isle of White just 22 minutes away on the ferry!

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Absolutely, definitely one of the best things about Portsmouth. You're not restricted to one area of the city because the buildings are scattered all around - you feel free, part of the city - yet close enough to get around quickly and efficiently. Likewise, the shops and restaurants are a stone’s throw away from any university building which makes it even more ideal!”

“University location is in the centre of the city so you can easily travel to your accommodation, it's totally free on the university bus!”

“The shops are close by along with things to do during the day and night-time”

The Students’ Union runs a variety of clubs and societies, making it easy for students to meet like-minded friends. Here’s a taster of what previous students have been involved with:

• Religious and cultural societies like the Afro-Caribbean Society, Indian Society and Islamic Society
• Musical groups like the Bhangra Society, Cuban Salsa, Drum and Base societies and a Gospel Choir
• Hobbies as diverse as breakdancing, photography and historical re-enactments
• Sports like rounders, rowing, water polo and yoga

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“There are numerous sports are played in the universities. They provide full facilities to each different game in order that student can improve their skills and technique under the guidance of professional coaches. Excellent work is carried out by the Portsmouth University. Gym, Playgrounds, etc sporting equipment are provided to students in order to achieve their goals in terms of sports”

“The university offers over 150 societies to join for students! So as students we have a wide variety! It’s amazing to see the options we get and can participate in”

“Huge amount and welcoming societies”

Students have a range of academic and learning support services available including personal tutors, and the Academic Skills Unit, who help with academic writing and note taking, referencing, presentation skills and revision and exam techniques.

For students who struggle with maths, there are drop-in sessions and workshops available for free at the Maths Café. Students with disabilities or learning difficulties, can gain support from the university’s Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre for advice on financial support, reasonable adjustments, specialist tuition and referrals for diagnosis. Students studying for a Postgraduate Research degree will also have access to tailored advice and support at the Graduate School.

On the pastoral care side, the Student Wellbeing Service has mental health and wellbeing advisers, counsellors and a psychiatrist, plus the student-led Wellbeing Society are on hand for advice too.

Students can get further support at the Wellbeing Café, held weekly in Cafe Coco, for tea and a friendly chat. There’s even an annual Wellbeing Festival held in the Students’ Union, showcasing all the latest ideas and techniques for staying happy and healthy while you study.

For the students in halls, or first-year student renting privately, the university offers a drop in on the friendly Residence Life Team for advice on issues both housing and general welfare related.

Students can get support with any money problems from the Finance Centre, which is open five days a week help students discover if they may be eligible for additional funding, and with any funding applications.

There are advisers on hand from the Institute of Money Advisers and the National Association of Student Money Advisers to help students of Portsmouth in dealing with debt and supporting with budgeting. The university Support Fund also offers short-term financial help for students who are struggling.

For any parent students hoping to pursue study with a child, the University of Portsmouth offers an on-campus nursery daycare for children aged six months to five years.

University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Support Offered by the Uni is Excellent. There is a team of supporting staff in every building. The Uni gives an excellent support to the student. All the students have personal tutors for any kind of difficulty. Students can visit them with any kind of problem at any time. Uni supports each and every student personally with great gesture and enthusiasm”

“Very good support. There are people to speak to about academic and personal issues”.

“The uni supports us in everything in terms of tutors that give us more from their personal time and they offer help. Academic terms, there are many extra activities and courses that you can take and support you with any gap that you have, if it's writing or researching”

Fees for postgraduate students vary by subject area and course. For a general guide, a student can expect to pay from around £7,000 to £11,500 for a master’s degree full time, or between £2,000 and £4,000 a year part time.

International students can expect to pay between £14,300 and £17,600 for a full-time course, and up to £9,500 a year part-time.

Degrees by distance learning are the cheapest option at Portsmouth, often representing up to a £5,000 reduction on the full time, on-campus fee. Distance learning courses are also the same price for domestic/EU and international students.

Students can find course fee information on relevant course pages.

Students may be eligible for one or more of the university’s many scholarships and bursaries. For postgraduate students these include:

• Master’s Scholarship worth £3,000 off tuition costs.
• Master’s in Architecture funding allows students to get undergraduate student funding if they start their MArch Course within 3 years of completing their undergraduate degree.
• Faculty of Business and Law Scholarship, equivalent to a 40% reduction on tuition fees for a course in the Faculty of Business and Law.
• MSc Social Work Bursary, up to £4,052 towards course fees and £3,362 towards your other living costs, available from the NHS Business Services Authority.

Students don’t have to apply for most of the scholarships or bursaries, as they will be automatically considered when they apply.

The university offers courses across a broad range of disciplines and provide students with an excellent education in all of them. The University of Portsmouth is particularly noted, however, for the strength of its research in both physics and the allied health professions.

Specific requirements vary by course, but students will generally need a good honours degree or equivalent for a taught course, with professional experience and qualifications also considered.

Entry standards are slightly more stringent for research degrees – students can expect to need a 2:1 or above in an undergraduate degree in a field related to their proposed area of study.

Students have a wealth of options available when it comes to research degrees at Portsmouth with MD, MPhil, MRes degrees all on offer. Students can continue with their studies at the university with a PhD or PhD by publication.

For those still undecided on an academic focus, the university allows its students to explore a range of pre-approved PhD projects across a wide variety of subject areas. Some may need to be self-funded whilst others are fully funded by the university.

Students can find out more about the research degree options and how to fund postgraduate studies on the university’s website.

There are more than 130 postgraduate taught degrees to choose from at the University of Portsmouth, across all subject areas, from arts and humanities to the sciences and law. Both full-time and part-time study options are available, with September and January start dates.

For students currently working, the university offers a range of ‘Learning at Work’ postgraduate degrees. These work-based courses build on an individual’s existing industry knowledge and reflect on the decisions they have made in the workplace. Students can tailor their course to either professional aspirations or an employer’s objectives.

Individuals typically come away feeling more confident in their role and with brighter career prospects, plus, these courses allow the student to schedule their degree around their existing commitments!

For students unable to fit a part-time or Learning at Work degree into their career or commitments, at the University of Portsmouth students can take advantage of one of the university’s distance learning degrees.

These fully flexible degrees are available postgraduate level and can be studied full time or part time online, so students can fit their studies around the rest of their life. In addition, with over 30 courses in subjects as diverse as accounting, criminology and translation studies, students are sure to find something that suits their needs.