Make the most of your visit
Your guide to Subject Taster Day on campus
Nothing beats getting a feel for a course by joining us on campus at our Taster Days.
Buzzing with purpose and possibility, they're a great way to find out more about different subjects and the University. They'll help you research choices for the future to see whether a course is the right fit for you. You can also talk about your taster day experience on your personal statement to show your commitment to your studies.
Each of our Taster Days are different – some allow you to experience all kinds of sessions and talks. In others, you'll pick the sessions that link to your current studies, or where you want to find out more. They start and finish at different times and some tasters are in different buildings. But all take place across our bustling city campus.
Check out this page to find out how to get here and check in, or chat to your teacher if you're coming with your school or college.
Not signed up to a Taster Day yet?
Checking in on the day
When you arrive in the city, head to the building where your Taser Day check in is taking place (see maps and details below). If you're lost on campus, you'll find our staff and students are really helpful and will point you in the right direction.
Individual students check in
When you register for the event, you'll receive an email with your ticket for entry. Please come to our registration desk and one of our team will check you in using the QR code on your ticket.
We'll then give you everything you need to enjoy your visit, including programme for the day and any other relevant information.
Schools and college groups check in
If you're arriving with a college group, please can one member of staff come to the registration desk. Our team will then check in your students individually – please ask them to have their QR codes that they received at time of registration at the ready.
Accessibility support
If you or your students require any accessibility support during the Taster Day, please contact rao@port.ac.uk.
Getting here
Car parking
If you choose to drive, please note that we're unable to offer parking on campus. But there are lots of public transport options and car parks available around the city, particularly around the city centre. There's more information about city centre car parking on the Portsmouth City Council website.
Minibuses and coaches
If you're arriving with a minibus or coach as part of a school or college group, the closest option is to park on Museum Road. Here, you can park using the RingGo App.
Please note that minibuses need to be parked on the side of the road with cars and not coaches. It's advisable to download the RingGo App in advance. If your staffing allows, we're happy for you to drop your group at the location for the taster day and then park your minibus afterwards.
Trains
The closest station to the University is Portsmouth and Southsea. It’s a 5-minute walk from the nearest University buildings and close to all parts of the campus. Plan your train journey to Portsmouth on the National Rail website.
University buildings and further travel information
Check out where our teaching and learning spaces are, and discover more travel information on our maps and directions page.
5 top tips to get the most out of your visit
At our Taster Days, inspiration is yours for the taking. Come prepared, then leave with a good idea of the all-important student experience.
1. Take a pen and paper
You may not think it, but having this handy means you can make note of all the things you come across on your Taster Day. This will also help when it comes to comparing universities after your visit. Sessions may also be highly relevant for your current studies, meaning it's a great chance to get some extra revision notes together.
2. Prepare ahead
Prepare any questions you may have for current students and lecturers and make a checklist for the day, including what learning areas you might want to see or anything else.
Questions you might ask at a Taster Day
- Are your lecturers supportive?
- How is the course structured or weighted?
- How much contact time do you have in your course?
- Do you get opportunities for practical learning?
- How do you find living in the city?
- What are the learning facilities like?
- Have you done a placement year and how did the university support you?
- Are there any support and wellbeing services?
- Is there a careers team that can help you find a part time job, or work placement?
3. Check out the facilities
Use this opportunity to check out the facilities you'll use for your studies. That may be lecture theatres, seminar rooms or practical learning areas.
4. Chat to students
Our students really do know best. Speak to our student ambassadors to get their thoughts on what studying at Portsmouth is like.
5. Reflect after your visit
Think back on your experience. Whether it's the questions that you’ve asked or what you saw – we'd obviously love you to choose Portsmouth, but reflect on whether the uni and course is a good fit for you. Ask yourself whether you can see yourself living and studying here for at least 3 years.
Discover Portsmouth | City Guide
Portsmouth is a great place to live as well as study. We're the UK's only island city and life as a student in Portsmouth is unbeatable. We’ve got beaches, great places to eat, heaps of independent shops and music venues, cultural and artistic hotspots, and stacks of green space. Portsmouth is one of the most picturesque, welcoming and interesting places to live in the UK, and was voted the in the top 10 trending hotspots by Airbnb (2022).
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.