University of Portsmouth

Studying at Portsmouth in 2020/21

The way Portsmouth will deliver their lectures, seminars, tutorials and practicals will be different in 2020, but students will still get the same level of outstanding teaching, support and guidance.

Students studying with the university in 2020/21 will get a blended and connected learning experience. Students will use a virtual learning environment, Moodle, and other digital tools, so they'll get plenty of contact time with lecturers, through a blend of face-to-face and online delivery.

Of course, some teaching is trickier to deliver online. Lab, workshop and studio-based material can't be replicated, but students won't miss out. They'll still do practical learning, with the relevant safety measures in place. There will also be simulation experiences where relevant.

The university has made sure every lab, workshop and studio space are adapted, cleaned and equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). All staff and students must wear face coverings indoors on campus. Students will also learn in smaller groups to make sure the appropriate social distancing rules and other safety measures are respected.

The University of Portsmouth's teaching is rated Gold, the highest accolade, by the Government-backed Teaching Excellence Framework scheme (TEF), which means their teaching, learning and student outcomes are outstanding, and among the highest quality in the UK.

Portsmouth's expert lecturers have years of experience, in teaching and industry, and frequently in both. Many remain active in their professions, and because they're continuously developing their knowledge, they teach students all the relevant, most-recent things they need to know, so they can hit the ground running upon graduation.

The majority of Portsmouth's research is rated as 'world leading' and 'internationally excellent' by the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which independently assesses the quality of research in UK universities.

Much of the research is carried out by the same people who teach students, and thus the breakthroughs and discoveries made feed directly into their courses. Students will be exploring the latest theories and developing original ideas as part of their studies. It's not all classrooms and textbooks, at Portsmouth, students can also apply what they learn in outstanding simulated work environments and learning spaces.

Law students practice their skills in a replica court, while students from disciplines such as criminology and social work can experience being an expert witness in a simulated legal case.

Students can apply their skills in the local community too, for example dental students, who treat NHS patients in the Dental Academy and sport and exercise science students, who run coaching courses at local schools.

Students are supported 24/7 by the university's Campus Security and Surveillance team, who work to ensure students are studying in a safe environment. The team is available 24 hours a day throughout the year, for emergencies and non-emergency queries. There are also CCTV cameras in most university buildings and halls which are monitored throughout the day by security officers.

The university benefits from its own university police liaison officer. Students who are a victim of a crime can report to the police officer for support. The officer is also available to meet at a weekly drop-in service on campus.

StudentWatch is a programme that aims to improve student safety and awareness. The scheme is a joint initiative with the Hampshire Constabulary and the university. Student volunteers are a point of contact for students with safety concerns and can provide support and advice on being a good neighbour, marking your property, fire safety advice, street sense and protecting property.

The University of Portsmouth has course specific entry requirements, however students need to meet basic conditions for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Specific entry requirements are detailed on each course page. As a guide, for degree level study, applicants need to have the equivalent of:

• 2 or 3 good 'A' Levels (GCE Advanced Level)
• Or a recognised Access/Foundation course
• Or an International Baccalaureate (minimum score 24)
• Or an EDEXCEL (BTEC) National Certificate or Diploma (Merit profile)
• Or High School Leaving Certificate, if it is deemed equivalent to 'A' Level Standard
• Some courses have higher entry requirements, especially where they are recognised by professional bodies.

As a guide, for master's degree level applications, applicants will need to have:

• A good degree pass in a relevant discipline or equivalent, or
• Relevant work experience in the appropriate field

Every application is considered individually and many factors such as maturity, motivation and work experience are considered in support of the application. Applications are welcome from students with advanced standing for direct entry to Portsmouth programmes. Students should forward copies of their transcripts (in English) with their application forms, so that an assessment can be made with regard to recognition of previous study.

Students must demonstrate the necessary proficiency in English. As a general guide, the following English language requirements must be fulfilled:

• IELTS 5.5 for foundation
• IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate
• IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 for postgraduate entry

Specific scores might be required depending on the course. Students who do not meet the required English language requirements may be able to gain access to the university via an International College Portsmouth (ICP) pathway programme, or by completing our pre-sessional English programme. Students can find out more about country specific requirements on the university website.

Portsmouth offers excellent facilities including a model pharmacy, courtroom, forensics house, creative studios, tv studios and cutting-edge laboratories. Learning at Portsmouth is much more than just lecture theatres. For many of the courses, students work in real-life learning environments such as a courtroom or pharmacy. These simulated environments demonstrate the strong professional focus of the courses and prepare learners for employment.

As a city campus, all teaching facilities and most of the residences are in the centre of Portsmouth. The campus is made up of over 40 buildings with green grass spaces and communal areas such as cafes and shops.

All new students are guaranteed accommodation in their first year, meaning they'll be living either in the city centre or on the seafront. There are a range of accommodation options including self-catered or catered, shared bathroom or en suite and single-sex or mixed-sex flats.

Students have access to free Wi-Fi and use of thousands of PCs and laptops across the campus and in the library. The library is usually open 24/7 during term time, however reduced opening hours are currently applied during the Covid-19 pandemic to manage capacity. The library provides access to hundreds of thousands of books, e-books and journals, with extensive online access to resources.

In 2021, the new GBP 57 million sports centre is due to open at the university and will become one of the UK's most eco-friendly sports facilities. Facilities will include a swimming pool, climbing wall, ski simulator, gym, sports halls, squash courts and a cafe.

International students are expected to be fully self-supporting whilst studying at Portsmouth. Before being granted a visa to come and study in the UK, the student must submit proof of adequate financial provision. The university does however, offer a small number of scholarships exclusively for International students:

• The Vice Chancellor's Global Development Scholarship takes the form of a GBP 1,600 fee reduction that will apply to the first year of study. Eligible students from selected countries will be automatically awarded this scholarship.
• The Chancellor's Global Academic Merit Scholarship takes the form of a GBP 5,000 fee reduction that will apply to the first year of study. There are limited numbers available to eligible students from selected countries. This scholarship is merit based so students would need to have accepted their offer conditions by 1^st June 2021 (for September 2021 entry).

Eligibility varies depending on course of study and nationality. Students can find out more about the scholarships offered on the university website. Some external scholarships are available to help with the financial costs of going to university. These include the following:

• Santander Scholarships: The scholarships, which take the form of a fee waiver are awarded on academic merit. Eligible candidates, in receipt of an unconditional offer, are invited to apply for the scholarship.
• Chevening Scholarships: The highly sought-after scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. Awards are typically for a one-year master's degree in any subject.
• Commonwealth Scholarships: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission supports scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate study and professional development.
• GREAT Scholarships: GREAT Scholarships are available to students from India and China and are offered in partnership with the British Council.