Portsmouth is an island city situated on the coast of Southern England and because of its sheltered position, the weather is mild compared to other parts of England. London is just 80 minutes away by train and there are good road and rail communications to London, Heathrow and Gatwick airports, the Midlands and the rest of the South. Portsmouth is the gateway to Europe with daily car and passenger ferries crossing to France and Spain and the many yachts and pleasure crafts reflect the Solent’s reputation as one of the world’s most popular sailing venues. There are many opportunities for students to learn this skill!

The University's locator provides you with all you need to know about travelling to and from Portsmouth and the University.

Portsmouth's climate

Its favoured and sheltered position, surrounded by the waters of the Solent, gives Portsmouth one of the best climates in Britain. Temperatures and sunshine hours are consistently higher than in more northern parts of the country. The average daily temperature is 20°C during the summer months, falling to 12°C in winter. Rainfall is lower than the national average and snow is unusual.

Cost of living

An indication of the cost of living for 36 weeks would be £4,500 - £5,500 (depending on your lifestyle). This should be enough to cover accommodation, food, toiletries, heating, books, essential warm clothing and modest entertainment.

Safety

Portsmouth and the University campus are generally safe places to be, but it does advise you to be careful. If you follow the advice below, you should have no problems.

Late at night
You are advised not to go out alone late at night. If you are out late and you miss the last bus home (usually around 11pm), get a taxi. Do not speak to strangers if you are out alone. It is advisable to be cautious. If possible, tell your friends where you are going and who you are with.

On the roads
If you decide to cycle, wear a cycling helmet and please make sure that the bicycle (bike) has working lights on the front and back. Roads in Portsmouth can be very busy during the rush hour, which is from 8.00am to 9.15am and 5.00pm to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Be careful when crossing roads. The traffic in the UK travels in the LEFT-HAND lane. Try to use pedestrian crossings when you are in the city. These have black and white stripes across the road. There are some cycle lanes in Portsmouth, please use them, but be aware of traffic and pedestrians.

Police Liason Officer
The University has a Police Liason Officer  to provide a contact point for both students and staff of the University on police related issues.