AFS City Guides

The complete student guide to Portsmouth

13 min read·Last updated: 23 June 2026

Curated and written by

Macie McManus

13 min read

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Why study in Portsmouth

Strong academic opportunities
Portsmouth offers students access to high-quality higher education through University of Portsmouth, an institution recognised for its teaching quality, research, and strong industry links. Many courses incorporate practical learning, work placements, and professional accreditation, helping students develop skills that employers value. The university’s investment in modern facilities, laboratories, and learning spaces ensures students have access to the resources needed to succeed academically and prepare for future careers.
Affordable student living
Compared with many major UK university cities, Portsmouth offers a relatively affordable cost of living. Students can often find accommodation, transport, and entertainment at lower prices than in cities such as London or Oxford. The city’s compact layout also helps students save money, as many key destinations can be reached on foot or by bicycle. This affordability allows students to balance their budgets more effectively while still enjoying a vibrant and fulfilling university experience.
Coastal lifestyle and student experience
Portsmouth’s unique seaside location provides a student experience unlike many other UK cities. Students can enjoy coastal walks, beaches, waterfront attractions, and outdoor activities alongside their studies. Areas such as Southsea offer independent cafes, shops, and green spaces that are popular with students throughout the year. The combination of city amenities and coastal living creates a relaxed atmosphere that many students find beneficial for maintaining a healthy balance between academic commitments and leisure time.
Excellent career and networking opportunities
Portsmouth has a diverse economy with strengths in maritime industries, defence, engineering, technology, healthcare, and logistics. Major employers, including BAE Systems and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, provide opportunities for placements, internships, and graduate employment. The university’s close relationships with industry partners help students gain valuable professional experience during their studies, improving employability and supporting successful transitions into graduate careers after completing their degrees.

Key facts about Portsmouth

Student life in Portsmouth

Nightlife is one of the parts about Portsmouth that I tend to rave about the most. For a student, it’s unbeatable! For first years, you might not have found yourself venturing over to Southsea too much, but I highly recommend it… Start your night on Palmerston Road and the area around that in Southsea; there’s a Wetherspoons, a great Irish pub called Durty Nelly’s, and a pirate themed rum bar called rapscallions are my favourites. Following this, the main bulk of nightlife will occur back in Portsmouth centre, with arguably the best and most popular club being Astoria. Astoria is joined to the bar next door called Tokyo Joe’s and they offer some insane deals for students throughout the week, cheaper than anything you’ll find anywhere else. The trick is to try and get a black card, these are given out from Astoria and Tokyo Joe’s and they unlock £1 shots and drinks prices. You can get them sometimes during nights at the venue, or through society’s where the residents will have a certain number to give out. Wednesday nights are varsity nights at Portsmouth and this is where you will go out with your society’s and ultimately end up in what was formally known as Pop World. This venue is currently being revamped and will return as ‘Sugarshack’ where Wednesday varsity nights will continue! Gidas Express is a must visit for post-night-out food cravings. The kebabs are better than any other and I think are solely worth revisiting Portsmouth for post graduation! Portsmouth has some great foodie spots across the city, although it is again split between the two areas of Portsmouth and Southsea depending on what you like. Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quay is perfect for a more special occasion as it offers a more luxurious feel. It’s right on the water again and has its own marina meaning when you’re sitting having your food you can look over to all the fancy yachts and boats parked up! The restaurants and coffee shops here tend to be more chains which is perfect if you’re looking for a quick bite of something more familiar! Southsea features mainly independent places, from coffee shops to restaurants to brunch spots, it’s all pretty much independent. If you take a walk up Albert Road or Palmerston Road you’ll find many places to pop into. Some of my favourites in the area include Garage Lounge, El Toro and by far my favourite restaurant, Rakuzen for sushi! The beaches in Portsmouth can get quite busy in the summer, and most people head to Southsea near the pier, and whilst this is great and very handy for food, I would recommend this slightly hidden gem for a slightly different feel. If you head towards old Portsmouth and go through the arches near the seafront you will be on Hotwalls beach. The beach is quite small but it’s enclosed by the Portsmouth city walls which offers a great atmosphere, but also a very hot place to sit which is lovely for sunbathing, you can bring a picnic here and it’s also dog-free. There is often an ice cream van that parks up just outside too. During my three years of study in Portsmouth, my favourite walk was around to Spice Island - a connected island area situated right on the sea at the front of old Portsmouth. The history there is great, and whilst studying architecture may have made me slightly bias to this area, it was definitely enjoyed by all my friends too. As you walk around past all the lovely houses and across the cobbled streets, the Spice Island Inn Pub will greet you. This was a top hit amongst my group of friends especially during the summer, with everyone sat outside on the courtyard right next to the sea you really can’t beat it. Another absolute classic was the coastal path right on the beach. If you start at old Portsmouth, you can get onto the path that follows Clarence esplanade past the fairground and along the front. This walk can go on for a really long time, with the path going all the way around the front of the island and over towards Hayling Island and around. The views are incredible and in the summer the water is very inviting for a swim. There are coffee shops and some bars/ restaurants dotted along the beach area too, it’s a really great place to walk in the summer, but it can become a busy route! Something I think is a must that I actually didn’t see many people take advantage of during my time at Portsmouth is the Isle of White! You can take the worlds only year-round scheduled passenger hovercraft from Portsmouth to the isle of Wight! You board the hovercraft from old Portsmouth next to the Fairground and you depart in Ryde. The beaches are beautiful, there’s a great National Trust house to explore and if you manage to get a ticket for the Isle of Wight Festival it’s great to know you’re only a 10-minute hovercraft ride back to Portsmouth! Portsmouth is well known for a few different things, mainly for its naval history. The city is situated right on the sea front and throughout there is memories of its rich history. Visiting the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a great day out to learn about this and once you’ve bought your ticket you can return as many times as you like throughout the year for free! The spinnaker tower is another one. Located in Gunwharf Quays, the Spinnaker Tower is a landmark well known across the country. There is a bar at the very top which is brilliant for special occasions or even just to see the great view whilst enjoying a drink in there, and if you’re lucky, a few times a year people abseil down it for various charities, it’s great to watch or you can even get involved yourself and raise some money!

Cost of living in Portsmouth

Wondering how much it costs to live in Portsmouth as a student? We’ve broken down typical monthly expenses and compared them to the national average, so you can plan your budget with confidence.

Expense	Portsmouth average	National average	Difference
Rent (monthly)	£698	£891.63	£193.6322% less
Utilities (monthly)	£116	£112.25	£3.753% more
Bus pass (monthly)	£56	£61.13	£5.138% less
Groceries	£17.23	£15.40	£1.8312% more
Gym pass (monthly)	£28.80	£34.59	£5.7917% less
Takeaway coffee	£3.64	£3.54	£0.103% more

Rent (monthly)
Portsmouth average
£698
National average
£891.63
Difference
£193.6322% less
Utilities (monthly)
Portsmouth average
£116
National average
£112.25
Difference
£3.753% more
Bus pass (monthly)
Portsmouth average
£56
National average
£61.13
Difference
£5.138% less
Groceries
Portsmouth average
£17.23
National average
£15.40
Difference
£1.8312% more
Gym pass (monthly)
Portsmouth average
£28.80
National average
£34.59
Difference
£5.7917% less
Takeaway coffee
Portsmouth average
£3.64
National average
£3.54
Difference
£0.103% more

Universities in Portsmouth

University of Portsmouth

An award winning university which scores highly for student satisfaction, the University of Portsmouth is a great option to pursue your studies.

Read guide →

Getting around Portsmouth

Portsmouth has a well-connected and student-friendly transport network, making it easy and affordable to travel between campus, accommodation, and the city's many attractions. Thanks to its compact size, many students find they can get around without needing a car.

Buses

Buses are a popular and affordable way for students to travel around Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. Regular services connect the university, city centre, Southsea, Gunwharf Quays, and neighbouring towns. Students can benefit from discounted travel passes and flexible ticket options, making daily commuting cost-effective. Frequent services run throughout the day and evening, ensuring students can easily travel to lectures, part-time jobs, and social events.

Cycling

Portsmouth is one of the UK's most cycle-friendly cities, with an extensive network of cycle routes and largely flat terrain making cycling both practical and enjoyable. Many university buildings and student accommodation sites provide secure bike storage facilities, allowing students to travel quickly between lectures and amenities. Cycling is a great way to save money on transport while staying active and exploring the city's waterfront and surrounding areas.

Walking

As one of the most densely populated cities in the UK, Portsmouth is highly walkable. Many students can easily walk between accommodation, campus buildings, supermarkets, shops, and entertainment venues. The University of Portsmouth campus is integrated throughout the city centre, meaning most facilities are only a short distance apart. Walking is often the quickest and most convenient way to get around while helping students save money and stay active.

Trains

Portsmouth has excellent rail connections, making it easy for students to travel across the South Coast and beyond. The city's main stations, Portsmouth & Southsea Railway Station and Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station, are both within walking distance of much of the university campus. Regular services operate to London, Southampton, Brighton, and other major destinations. Students can also purchase a 16–25 Railcard, which offers up to one-third off most rail fares.

Life after uni

Portsmouth is a thriving coastal city with a strong and diverse economy, offering students and graduates opportunities across maritime industries, defence, engineering, healthcare, technology, and logistics. Its close links between industry and education make it an attractive destination for students looking to gain valuable work experience and launch their careers.

Here are some key facts about employment prospects in Portsmouth:

Key industries
Portsmouth is internationally recognised for its maritime and naval heritage, with major employers operating in defence, marine engineering, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. The city is home to significant operations from BAE Systems.
Employment rates
Portsmouth benefits from a resilient local economy and strong employment market. The city's strategic location on the South Coast, combined with ongoing investment in infrastructure, business development, and innovation, continues to support job creation.
Average wage for graduates
Graduate starting salaries in Portsmouth vary depending on industry and role, but many graduates can expect starting salaries ranging from approximately £24,000 to £32,000.