Making waves for over a century
Since we first opened our doors, almost everything has changed, with one exception – we're still as ambitious as ever.
Find out more about our major achievements, the positive impacts we're making at home and around the world, and the facts and figures behind who we are.
Outstanding teaching
Our teaching gives you everything you need to succeed on your course and thrive in your career, wherever it takes you.
Research Excellence Framework results 2021
We are ranked third of all modern post-92 universities in the UK for research power in REF 2021. Take a closer look at our work in sixteen Research Excellence Framework Units of Assessment.
Our impact
As well as teaching the next generation of graduates, we use our facilities and expertise to make a positive impact in our local community and around the world.
Our rankings
QS World University Rankings give us 5 stars for teaching, employability, internationalisation, facilities, arts and culture, and inclusiveness. See what else we've achieved.
At a glance facts and figures
Explore the facts and figures highlighting who we are and what we've achieved as an institution.
Landmark moments in our history
1908
The Park building opened as a Municipal college and public library. We focused on chemistry and engineering.
1911
Our Student Union got up and running. The opening was featured in the earliest edition of our Student Union newspaper, The Galleon.
1945
After World War II, we started teaching arts and humanities subjects to respond to a growing demand from students.
1969
We became Portsmouth Polytechnic.
1977
Three years of building work began on Frewen Library – on the site of what is now our University library.
1992
After a decade as one of the largest and best performing polytechnics in the UK, we out-grew our old name and received university status. The University of Portsmouth was born.
2005 to today
Across the last decade and a half, we've been investing in all areas of the University, improving our campus and our services along the way – check out a few of our highlights below.
2006: New Library, halls and sports centre
New halls of residence and sports centres are built and we finish an £11m expansion of our Library.
2009: Dennis Sciama Building opens
The Dennis Sciama Building opens for teaching and research, and becomes home to our Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation.
2011-onwards: new partnerships flourish
We begin new local, national and international partnerships, with everyone from Portsmouth's New Theatre Royal to King's College London.
2014: Eldon Building
A new wing of our Eldon Building officially opens after a £14 million investment, bringing new facilities for the creative arts – including a 200-seat cinema-quality screening room and creative studios.
2017: Rebrand and 25th Anniversary
Our second rebrand: we retain our name but refresh our identity to better reflect who we are and what we stand for today. Our new image emerged out of an in-depth consultation with over 10,000 participants from the staff and student body. It's just one part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, during which we mark our first quarter of a century as The University of Portsmouth.
2017: Karen Blackett OBE appointed as Chancellor
Karen Blackett OBE, an alumna of the University, returned as our Chancellor in October 2017. Karen is CEO of GroupM UK, the world's leading media investment company. She was appointed Race Equality Business Champion by the Prime Minister as part of the Race at Work Charter in October 2018.
2018: Our Future Technology Centre
Our new £12 million Future Technology Centre (FTC) is opened. Further proof of our excellence in engineering – one of the first two subjects we offered students, back in 1908 – it's where our engineering students can get hands-on experience of specialist technology, and develop creative answers to the next generation of challenges facing the world.
2019: Launch of the Centre for Enzyme Innovation
We launched the Centre for Enzyme Innovation after the discovery of a plastic eating enzyme – an enzyme capable of breaking down plastics into parts that can be repurposed and recycled within a circular plastics economy.
2020: Launch of the Centre for Blue Governance and CCIXR
We launched the Centre for Blue Governance in February 2020 to drive the sustainable development of marine and freshwater environments. We also received £3.6 million from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a Centre for Creative and Immersive eXtended Reality.
2020: Launch of Revolution Plastics
Revolution Plastics aims to lead a transformation in the world’s relationship with plastics. The initiative is assembling scientists, businesses, campaigners and citizens to transform the way we make, use and dispose of plastic.
2022: Ravelin Sports Centre launch
In 2022, we completed our new £57 million Ravelin Sports Centre, which has been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating from BREEAM UK, the world’s leading sustainability assessment for buildings. Staff, students and the community have access to an 8-court sports hall, 8-lane 25m swimming pool, 175 station fitness suite, multipurpose studios, squash courts, climbing wall and a ski simulator.
2023: London campus launch
In 2023, we launched our London campus in Waltham Forest. Our London campus aims to boost the local economy by an estimated £372 million over the next 20 years, creating over 500 new jobs. This initiative also aligns with our goal to become a leading modern university in the UK.
Why our graduates love the University of Portsmouth
Our graduates – including our Chancellor Karen Blackett and Paralympian Lauren Steadman – talk about why they're proud to be part of our community
Karen Blackett: I am incredibly proud to always be part of Portsmouth.
Ollie Marsh: I studied journalism at the University of Portsmouth and I now work at Portsmouth Football Club in the media team.
Lauren Steadman: I love Portsmouth – it's got so much character and I think you'd agree that it's cool.
Karen Blackett: It's part of my soul, it's part of who I am today, it's made me who I am today. To be able to go back and keep giving back is great.