Student life

I think Portsmouth is very forward thinking.

It's got such a really friendly atmosphere and even though it's a city, it’s quite a small city, so it feels really welcoming and homely.

When I first came to the open day for Portsmouth, I instantly fell in love with it.

When the sun is shining, there is nowhere better than Portsmouth.

Welcome to Portsmouth, the UK's only island city and home to the University of Portsmouth.

Join us today as we show you some of our favourite spots so you can take advantage of studying at the heart of our community. 

It's a very cosmopolitan city, it's got so much to offer.

You have the commercial road, you have the city centre ar the heart where it's all lively.

Student nightlife is really, really good. You’ve got lots of nightclubs, lots of stuff to do.

But then as soon as you come to Southsea it’s more of a lazy seaside town, you get to go to the beach.

You just have to go down to the beach or the common on a sunny day and everyone's having picnics. It's just beautiful.

Fuelling up for the day, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice.

Everyone I know has a different favourite café spot.

We’ve got you covered for freshly roasted coffee, doughnuts, fish and chips, vegan food and artisan bread.

And that’s before we even get to the restaurants and bars. Cheers.

Okay, shopping. I love to shop local myself and the top spots for that are Palmerston Road, Marmion Road or here, Castle Road.

Commercial Road has you set for your shopping essentials. Or pop down to Southsea for charity shop bargains and quirky independent businesses to browse for something unique.

Or join us in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth's Waterfront Shopping Centre to check in on your favourite brand outlets or catch the lights at Christmas. 

I love that kind of vibrancy of the city

It's got a real independent spirit about it.

I think it's got a really good mix of independent businesses.

There are so many local independent businesses.

There are entertainment activities in terms of lots of bars and restaurants and loads of cool places to eat.

There's so much to do right here in the place you live.

There's an island’s worth of beautiful coast to explore and unique green spaces like Canoe Lake and the Rose Garden to enjoy with your friends or by yourself as a space for study or reflection.

Or for something a little different, you could wander into an art gallery, try an escape room, or book a table with your friends at DICE, the local board game café.

And don't forget the nights. There's a ton of live music events happening every week as well as karaoke comedy nights and live theatre.

There are lots of cultural events, art galleries, music venues.

And there are so many shows. You've got kite festivals. 

Food festivals. 

The big one that really helps the town is Victorious Festival.

It is such a really lovely community.

And I think after you've been here a while, you feel part of the community.

It just makes you feel like you're at home away from home.

Portsmouth is a one of a kind place, a place for you to explore and thrive.

There's something for everyone here, and we can't wait for you to be part of it.

To find out more about our city, book an open day and get exploring, visit port.ac.uk.