The University of Portsmouth is consistently ranked among the top 400 universities in the world and is one of the top modern universities in the UK. Over 140 postgraduate courses are offered in subjects ranging from aquatic biology to urban design.
Portsmouth is a small and lively island city that contains everything students need. Students can focus on their studies with as little distraction as they like. Then, when it’s time to step away from the books, the seafront offers learners the perfect place to revive and time to reset.
Everything is close by in Portsmouth. In the course of a day students could go from the deck of a historic ship to a bustling shopping street, before browsing in a gallery and relaxing on the beach. The city is flat – perfect for cycling – and it’s easy to get around. By night, the city comes alive with gigs, bars, restaurants, clubs and shows.
The university’s compact campus is threaded through the heart of the city - rubbing shoulders with cafes and venues, yet just a stone’s throw from green spaces and beaches. It’s home to students from all walks of life, and from all around the world. Portsmouth is constantly investing in new facilities to help students fulfil their ambitions.
University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:
“The University of Portsmouth is a fantastic place to study, especially for international students.”
“As a student at the University of Portsmouth, I have had an excellent university experience thus far.”
“It's a solid University with overall lovely staff, a good array of courses and decent support services.”
Discover range of postgrad courses to unlock career possibilities.
‘I already feel so much more confident applying for jobs.’
Anna, master’s student at the University of Portsmouth
Why Portsmouth?
Postgraduate events online and on campus
Students can face time with course representatives who want to help them progress. Hear top tips from our postgrad students. Find a way forward with funding and finance. And explore how flexible postgrad study at Portsmouth can be. These are just some of the opportunities students can take advantage of at a postgraduate open event, or Portsmouth’s master’s and PhD webinar series.
At Portsmouth, students are offered courses designed for the career they want. Courses that blend first-rate research facilities with practical application. The university tutors’ research, links with industry and international connections bring relevance and purpose to learning. They’ll share the insights and skills students need to achieve their ambitions.
Its careers and employability service offer expert, tailored advice to help students secure and shape the future they want. Staff have strong links with employers and can advise students on career planning and volunteering opportunities, as well as organise dedicated employer events. What’s more, students can tap into their support for up to five years after graduation.
Students are not on their own when they study postgraduate at Portsmouth. University support is on hand with a wide range of advice, guidance and support to help students get the absolute best from this unique time in their life. From housing to wellbeing to advanced study skills, Portsmouth has students’ backs.
University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:
“My lecturers have been very supportive and all content has been very engaging, providing opportunities to engage in real-world situations.”
“Interaction with Tutors and their level of responsiveness is top notch.”
“Online lectures are great and lecturers are always available.”
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSThe University of Portsmouth offers a wide array of postgraduate qualifications, including both taught and research programmes, as well as continued professional development courses.
Specific requirements vary by course, but students will generally need a good honours degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent for a taught course. Professional experience and other related qualifications are also considered by the university admissions team, who are available to contact throughout the year to respond to any queries or questions.
Entry standards are slightly more stringent for research degrees – students are expected to hold a 2:1 or above for admission to a postgraduate degree course, in a field related to their proposed area of study.
Since the majority of Portsmouth’s programmes are delivered in English, international applicants for who don’t speak English as their first language will need to demonstrate a minimum standard of English language proficiency before the start of their course.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONThe university offers a range of student accommodation options, with a variety of choices in terms of location, facilities and services. Many of these are available to postgraduate students, who will most likely be sharing their halls of residence with the university’s undergraduate population.
Many postgraduates choose to find off-campus accommodation from the local rental sector, which offers a huge range of locations and options to suit all budgets and requirements.
The university has made significant investments in the resources and facilities on campus, and will continue to invest £400 million over the next 10 to 15 years as part of its Estate Masterplan.
Portsmouth's state-of-the-art main library is open 24 hours a day, and contains hundreds of thousands of books, journals and digital resources. There are individual and group study rooms, social spaces and one-on-one soundproofed meeting pods. The campus is home to ten cafés serving tasty and healthy food and drinks at student-friendly prices.
Portsmouth’s academic faculties include:
University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:
“I have access to a range of different studios including letterpress and screen printing.”
“The location was excellent and the rooms were suitably cleaned.”
“The university library, I love to spend time here. I think this is the best place in my university campus. "
What's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 2534 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWD Damilola Reviewed 24 Jan 24 Information Systems MSc The University is situated in a vibrant coastal city, and boasts of a prime location with easy access to cultural... READ FULL REVIEW
K Kushal Reviewed 20 Jan 24 Project Management MSc The faculties and student support is just amazing! to cherry the cake, location! (Portsmouth is an Island city!... READ FULL REVIEW
The University of Portsmouth has developed a comprehensive range of free and confidential student services to ensure that all students have the resources and guidance needed to succeed academically and develop as individuals:
Academic and learning support - Personal tutors and the Academic Skills Unit provide help with study methods, note-taking, revision and exam techniques.
Disability support - Specialised support and resources offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with advice on financial support, reasonable adjustments and diagnosis referrals.
Graduate School – Offers bespoke training and workshops to develop students’ research careers and professional development. The Graduate School is home to a community of more than 1,000 research degree students.
Student wellbeing service - Advisors for psychological health, as well as free counselling and an annual Wellbeing Festival.
Residence Life Team - Help and advice for students in halls, or first-year student renting privately.
Student Finance Centre - Open five days a week with advisors on hand to help with issues of debt, budgeting and funding opportunities.
University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:
“Portsmouth provides good support to students.”
“The support is effective and caring.”
“Overall I enjoy studying here. The university provides good support for both local and international students."
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEThe University of Portsmouth is a haven for world-leading research. From its island city, the university reaches out around the globe to help solve societies’ problems.
Recent research at Portsmouth includes engineering an enzyme that could make single-use plastic recyclable, decoding the language of violence against women, and helping to discover a new species of orangutan.
Many researchers are actively involved in teaching and supervision. They’ll empower students to reach their breakthrough moments.
100% of its research in physics, and 87.2% of its research in allied health professions was rated as either ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’ by the most recent Research Excellence Framework in 2021, and the university continues to push the boundaries in these areas moving forward.
The university’s pioneering work is undertaken through its network of research centres, which are involved in explorations into some of the most significant challenges faced by society – including research areas such as cosmology and astrophysics, cyber security, forensics and sport science.
They are a hotbed of innovation and endeavour, connecting the university to the global research community and placing it at the heart of innovation across a number of subjects.
University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:
“I have access to excellent research facilities, allowing me to engage in groundbreaking research in my field.”
“The university is constantly investing in new technologies and resources to ensure that students have the best possible experience.”
“There are clear and strong links to industry!"
Portsmouth’s Students' Union (SU) is a student-run organisation, where youth leaders develop their skills and represent the voice of the learning community. It’s the first place to go for a wide range of advice and support services, and the SU also co-ordinates an exciting yearly timetable of social events and activities.
Postgraduate students can find comfortable social and group learning spaces, along with pool tables, a café, a Starbucks and the Waterhole Bar.
The students’ union runs a variety of clubs and societies, making it easy for students to meet like-minded individuals and make friends which last a lifetime. There is a huge range of options, with something for everyone to discover.
Portsmouth is a lively city with plenty to keep students occupied all year round. Located on the coast, Portsmouth is ideal for outdoor activities such as relaxing on the beach, going for a swim or strolling along the pier. There are plenty of parks to explore, and 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 to enjoy.
University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:
“They have an excellent student union, support groups, and frequent events concerning everything from managing your finances to making the most of what the city has to offer in your free time.”
“Portsmouth is a great city to study in, it is all accessible by foot or public transport, and right by the sea.”
“The city of Portsmouth itself is a vibrant and diverse place to live, with a rich cultural history and a wide range of entertainment options, including museums, galleries, music venues, and theatres.”
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.
Students have access to MyCareer from their very first day, where they can find hundreds of job opportunities. It’s operated by a friendly and helpful team of staff, who can also help students 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, specialist staff are available to guide each individual student through their options, from finding further study or 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, as well as co-ordinating a busy timetable of career fairs and networking events throughout the academic year.
University of Portsmouth students on Postgraduate Search say:
“I've received a good amount of contact time and lots of support in finding a career.”
“They offer an internal website for job search.”
“They conduct workshops for students to help them improve their resumes. There are also invites given for talks in which a trained professional tells you what an international student needs to do to find a job in United Kingdom.”
Students investing in their future. Portsmouth want to help them do it wisely. The university is here to help students understand the fees and costs involved, and what support is available to them. Students can use Portsmouth’s comprehensive guide to fees, funding, scholarships and more to get started.
The University of Portsmouth is dedicated to keeping its postgraduate course fees accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Course fees vary based on mode and level of study, as well as tuition fee status.
UK students can generally be expected to pay between £7,000 and £11,500 for a full-time master’s degree, or between £2,000 and £4,000 per year for a part-time course.
Equivalent fees for international students are typically set between £14,300 and £17,600, and up to £9,500 for part time course options.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTIONStudents have a wealth of possibilities when it comes to taught postgraduate degrees at Portsmouth with a huge selection of courses spanning a diversity of subject areas.
Students can find out more about the taught degree options available on the university’s website, or request a digital degree guide.
Research degrees at Portsmouth include a variety of qualifications including MD, MPhil, and MRes degrees. 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.
For students unable to fit a part-time or ‘learning at work’ degree into their career or commitments, the University of Portsmouth provides a large choice in distance learning degrees for students to take advantage of.
These degrees are available at postgraduate level and can be studied entirely online, with both full-time and part-time options, allowing students the flexibility to organise their studies around the rest of their life. With over 30 courses in subjects as diverse as accounting, criminology and translation studies, students are sure to find something that suits their academic and professional ambitions.
There are currently no postgraduate open days available to book at this university.
Take a look at open days at unis across the UK.