Our Strategy

We will deliver our vision by inspiring our staff community to be creative and bold

Our success depends on the capabilities and drive of our community of staff. We will encourage their creativity and innovation, and foster a culture where people feel passionate about being part of this vision.

We will:

Inspire through our shared purpose

• Our ambition for the future will be reinforced by effective communication. Within our university community, we will listen and respond to people openly. We will be proud of the part we each play in making change happen and making a difference. Every member of our community will understand their role in delivering this vision.

Realise the potential of our staff

• We will be a university of choice nationally and globally, with staff who embody our drive for excellence. Innovative and entrepreneurial approaches will be encouraged. Effective development, reward and performance management will ensure our people feel valued and achieve organisational and professional goals.

Boost diversity and inclusivity

• We will increase black and minority ethnic representation in our staff community, advance overall equality and diversity, welcome new perspectives and draw in global talent.

Embed well-being and resilience

• To drive organisational performance during a period of significant change, our people will be supported in a culture that promotes engagement and resilience.

Engage every student in a life-changing experience

We will be recognised nationally and internationally for our success in offering world-class undergraduate and postgraduate education to people with the potential and motivation to succeed. Through the Hallmarks of a Portsmouth Graduate we will develop knowledgeable, independent graduates with a global outlook, who are set for success in their future careers and make a positive contribution to society.

By 2025 we will:

Ensure student experience is consistently outstanding

• Learning and teaching, designed and delivered in partnership with our students, will be consistently excellent and academically challenging. Our personalised academic and pastoral support, with a focus on wellbeing and resilience, will enhance every student's experience and outcomes.

Reduce attainment gaps

• We will significantly improve outcomes for all, including our black and minority ethnic students, by providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment where every student is engaged to fulfil their potential.

Inspire and challenge our students

• Design and delivery of our courses will promote engagement with research and professional practice, along with a global mindset. Student enterprise will develop tomorrow's entrepreneurs and leaders. Innovative, interactive educational approaches and technology-enhanced learning will enrich our courses.

Promote successful graduate outcomes

• Excellent prospects for employment will be embedded in our curriculum design, delivery and Graduate Hallmarks. We will collaborate with employers and professional bodies to ensure our courses incorporate simulated and real-life learning opportunities.

Meet changing demand and widen participation

We will maximise opportunities arising from the demographic upturn in 18 year olds, successfully widen participation and expand globally, giving more people the opportunity to benefit from Portsmouth's world-class education and succeed in their future careers.

By 2025 we will:

Proactively respond to changing demand

• We strive to be the university of choice for applicants and plan significant growth online, on-campus and in partnership nationally and globally. Our overall breadth of subjects and levels of study will be retained, while flexing in size in response to changing demand from applicants and employers. Across our portfolio, we will promote academic excellence.

Revolutionise digital learning

• We will significantly extend our range of digital learning opportunities. Increased digital innovation and flexibility will become features of on-campus courses, to meet changing student expectations. We will explore partnership opportunities to support rapid development.

Champion access and inclusivity

• Through active partnerships and innovative approaches, we will transform life chances for young people. In those parts of our community with the lowest HE participation rates, we will significantly increase progression in the long term. We will directly contribute to improving educational outcomes at schools in Portsmouth and partner with regional colleges to promote access to HE.

Meet future employer and skills needs

• Ladders of opportunity, course content and modes of delivery will evolve to reflect the needs of students, employers, the economy and society. Our interdisciplinary thematic areas, which address global issues, will be reflected in our curriculum.

Deliver globally-recognised research and innovative solutions that improve society

Through our research, innovation and education, we will promote the co-creation and application of knowledge to solve some of society's key challenges. We will build a global reputation for the effectiveness of our partnerships, commercialising knowledge and promoting enterprise.

By 2025 we will:

Significantly extend our research impact nationally and globally

• By supporting areas of current and emerging excellence in research and innovation, we will develop research institutes with a world-leading reputation. We will attract and develop global talent and research leaders, promoting international collaborations to build our impact and reputation.

Extend knowledge through our thematic areas

• Through our developing thematic areas, we will collaborate to extend knowledge and impact in interdisciplinary research, innovation and education. Our drive to address global challenges will bring recognised benefits to society and enhance our civic role.

Exchange knowledge through strategic partnerships

• Strategic partnerships will promote collaboration, synergy and commercialisation of knowledge. At least two high-value major strategic partnerships will be shining examples of translating academic expertise into practical results.

Actively promote enterprise

• Student enterprise will be actively promoted, within and beyond the curriculum, along with an enterprising approach by our staff. Our range of innovation spaces and support for small business will aid new companies from initial start-up to going-concern, with benefits to the regional economy.

Become one of the UK's leading civic universities

As the University 'for' Portsmouth, we will work collaboratively to promote inclusion and positively enrich economic, social and cultural life in the city of Portsmouth and our region.

By 2025 we will:

Enhance lives through volunteering

• Our students and staff will work in partnership with the community to significantly enhance the social, cultural and economic life of the city. These collaborations will contribute opportunities for students to develop the characteristics of our Graduate Hallmark.

Enrich collaborative opportunities

• We will develop opportunities for shared community and employer use of our talent, resources, special collections and activities. Collaborative initiatives, including developments in health and environmental sustainability, will benefit Portsmouth's community.

Promote the city of Portsmouth

• Through partnership work to advocate for Portsmouth’s unique strengths and heritage as a city, we will champion our shared interests, support economic growth and make the city a destination of choice for people to live, work and visit.

Drive inclusiveness and opportunities for all

• We will promote diversity and inclusiveness in our community through engagement and leadership in initiatives including the Armed Forces Covenant, Portsmouth City of Sanctuary and Portsmouth Pride.

Significantly build our global reach and reputation

Strategic university partnerships will promote global engagement for our students and staff and support world-leading research and innovation. International student and staff recruitment will support growth and diversity, enhance our reputation around the world and support our drive to be one of the top 100 young universities globally.

By 2025 we will:

Cultivate strategic global partnerships

• Expand our global impact and reputation by cultivating strategic international partnerships, based on shared aspirations and strengths, to enhance education, research and innovation. Joint degrees through prestigious international partnerships will open up new opportunities, with global scope, for students.

Promote global mindsets for students and staff

• Significantly extend opportunities for students and staff to study and work in new environments, broadening their horizons and skills. Two-way collaborations and digital innovation will promote fair access to global engagement opportunities.

Expand international student recruitment

• To extend our global reach, promote cultural diversity in our community and build global mindsets, we will significantly expand international student recruitment to our on-campus, online and partnership courses.

Be known globally for excellence

• Our global reputation will develop, reflecting our focus on excellence in all our activities, including the quality of our global education and research initiatives. We will attract international talent through our recruitment of students and staff who want to be part of our success.

Lead in environmental sustainability and become climate positive by 2030

In response to the climate emergency, we will work with our students, staff and partners to improve global environmental sustainability, working towards becoming a climate-positive university by 2030.

By 2025 we will:

Achieve transformation through research

• Through leading-edge research and innovation, we will be at the forefront of developing and promoting environmentally sound solutions to global sustainability challenges.

Promote sustainability through civic leadership

• Through strategic partnerships in the city, we will actively promote long-term environmental sustainability, raising the quality of life in our community.

Partner with our students and staff on sustainability

• In collaboration with our students and staff, we will promote environmental sustainability and leadership within our curriculum, delivery methods and operations.

Deliver sustainability across all our operations

• Our ambition of becoming a climate positive university by 2030 will guide every aspect of our operations – from development of our campus and sustainable transportation, to sustainable corporate systems and procedures.

Transform our alumni relations and advancement activity

Our alumni will become ambassadors for Portsmouth and retain a lifelong relationship with the University. We will build our profile in advancement and philanthropic activity, with the aim of growing and enhancing our global reputation and visibility.

By 2025 we will:

Transform alumni engagement

• Support our alumni to maintain a lifelong relationship with the University, with opportunities for further professional and personal development. Our alumni will act as ambassadors for the University in their communities.

Promote diverse role models

• Champion diversity and inclusiveness by partnering with alumni to ensure students have positive role models and mentors, who understand their experiences and support their ambitions.

Boost philanthropic activity

• Establish long-term strategic relationships with potential donors, to foster funding sources which accelerate the University's development and enable us to help solve society's challenges.

Achieve more through advancement activity

• Nurture a culture of giving across the University, focused on advancing the quality, reputation and capability of the University to address key societal challenges.