We look at more than just your grades
There's more to you than your grades. When you apply to Portsmouth, we look at a range of factors that show your excellence and potential.
When you apply for one of our undergraduate courses, we'll look at the unique combination of your past and predicted academic achievements and qualifications when making a decision. It doesn't end there — we'll carefully consider everything in your application, and take it all into account. Your personal statement, reference, and any achievements or experience outside of your studies will all be looked at.
On some courses, we might ask you to submit a portfolio of work, have an interview, or take a test.
Most of all, we look for applicants that are committed to achieving their goals, and who are enthusiastic about excelling at the University of Portsmouth.
What we look at:
- your past and predicted academic achievements and qualifications
- your personal statement
- your references
- your enthusiasm, commitment and potential
- extra-curricular activity such as work experience, cultural and social life, and non-academic qualifications such as Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Young Enterprise
- any volunteering experience
- how you perform in an interview or audition (if relevant)
- portfolio quality (if relevant)
- admissions test (if relevant)
- extenuating circumstances (if relevant)
We accept students of all ages
At the University of Portsmouth, we accept students of all ages and value age diversity. Whether you are fresh out of school or returning to education after a long break, you'll find a supportive and stimulating environment to pursue your studies.
Mature students
More than a quarter of our students are 'mature', which means aged 21 and over at the beginning of their course.
If you're a mature student, we understand you might have different academic qualifications as students who have just left school or college. We accept various qualifications on our courses and can take other factors into account such as your work experience.
Students under the age of 18
People of all ages are welcome to apply to us. If you’re under 18, we consider your application in the same way we do for older applicants.
You'll just need to understand you’ll be studying in an adult environment. Also, some courses aren't appropriate for under 18s. Please contact us to find out if your chosen course accepts applicants under 18.
Raising regional aspirations
We believe that going to university can help people move up in the world, reach their goals and achieve their ambitions.
We recognise that we must do more to raise aspirations by removing barriers and obstacles to higher education, especially for those who live in our region. To realise these ambitions, alongside issuing adjusted offers using established widening participation data, we also issue adjusted offers to those within our region. The adjusted offer will be lower than the typical course offer and will be signposted in the offer email.
Ready to find your perfect course?
Now you know how we assess your application, take a look at one of our Gold-rated undergraduate courses and take the first step towards your exciting future.
Assessing applicants with relevant criminal convictions
If you've declared a relevant criminal conviction in your application, we'll contact you to confirm you've declared it correctly. Please don't give us details of the offences when you apply.
If you declare a conviction, your application will be passed to our University Criminal Convictions panel for a decision on whether we can make you an offer.
Fitness to practice
If you are invited to an interview for a professional healthcare or dental course, you'll be required to declare if you have ever been subject to any disciplinary procedures, or fitness to practice processes by any regulator, professional body, employer or educational establishment. If you declare a fitness to practice issue, your application will be passed to a senior member of faculty staff for the course you have applied for to make a decision on whether we can make you an offer.
Need help with your application?
If you've got questions about how we assess your application, or need a hand with applying, we're here to help.
Contact us
Got a question to ask? We're on hand to help and give you the answers you need: whether you're curious about how and when to apply for a course, or want to know where we are and how to get here.
How to apply for undergraduate courses
It's easy to start your application to university. We'll help you every step of the way — from choosing the perfect course, to what you need to do when you get your exam results.
Undergraduate Open Days
Thinking about joining us as an undergrad? Book your spot at one of our upcoming Open Days.
