UniHomes guide to

Portsmouth

The Best Places to Live in Portsmouth

Where Should I Watch the Football in Portsmouth?

The Best Student Nights Out in Portsmouth

The Best Day Trips for Portsmouth University Students

The Best Cafés for Students in Portsmouth

The Student Guide to Portsmouth’s Best Foodie Spots

The Portsmouth Student Guide: Southsea

The Portsmouth Student Guide: Portsmouth City Centre

Check out more posts like these on our student blog

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Uni Life in Portsmouth

Portsmouth student life​ is full of community spirit and friendly faces. As a picturesque port city with the excellent University of Portsmouth at its heart, it’s no surprise that 29,000 students flock to Portsmouth every year. The welcoming vibe of the city attracts a variety of international students from over 130 countries, making everyone feel right at home.
It's also perfect for lovers of the seaside, with Eastney Beach a stone's throw away from the city centre. Students don’t have to look very far to find fantastic student accommodation here, usually congregating in popular areas like Fratton, Milton, Southsea and Eastney.

Key reasons to study in Portsmouth

  • 1
    A beachfront city

    Portsmouth is on an island peninsula, with a dock on the west side of the coast and Eastney Beach on the south side. It's perfect in the warmer months for lovers of a swim and a tan! Just behind the beach, you'll find Southsea Common, a large open green space area which hosts many high-profile events.

  • 2
    Affordable rents

    Portsmouth is one of the most affordable places to live for students, making it perfect for any young person on a budget. This city helps you save your pennies in popular areas like Fratton, although costs may vary based on the type of accommodation you choose.

  • 3
    Party in Portsmouth

    Portsmouth has an excellent student nightlife. For the best student nights out in Portsmouth, you can't go wrong with the bars and clubs of Gunwharf Quays along the seafront. The Sugar Shack is popular on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, as well as Astoria for themed nights. Students in Southsea might want to check out the One Eyed Dog and Moonshine for top cocktails.

  • 4
    Conveniently located for studying

    With the University of Portsmouth located near the city centre, and just minutes away from the local train station, the campus location couldn’t be better. There are also plenty of student-friendly cafés for studying in town. Once you put down the books, head to one of Portsmouth’s best foodie spots for a well-deserved break!

  • 5
    Spinnaker Tower

    Spinnaker Tower is a 170-metre observation tower, and you can travel to the top of the observation deck to check out the amazing views it has to offer. There's even a bar and restaurant in the tower for a cheeky refreshment. If you want to go further afield, check out the best day trips from Portsmouth and spread your wings.

  • 6
    History and culture

    Portsmouth is the home of the Royal Navy, so there’s plenty of history to unpack here. You can visit the Historic Dockyard or wander around Old Portsmouth to visit Round Tower and Square Tower, 15th-century sea defences. Putting history aside, there are also plenty of cultural events and festivals to celebrate, from Comic Con to Victorious Festival.

In the last ten years, there's been a huge amount of investment in Portsmouth University.

Sarah S Flats In Southsea

The nightlife is amazing as Gunwharf Quays is the place to go for cocktail bars or nightclubs, and Guildhall Walk is also a popular night out destination for students.

Francesca Christies Letting Agents

Universities in Portsmouth

University of Portsmouth

Picture of University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is situated on Portsea island, and is rated gold in the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework. It dates back to 1870 and is considered one of the best universities in the south-west of the UK.

Blog posts featuring Portsmouth

Where Should I Watch the Football in Portsmouth?

The Best Student Nights Out in Portsmouth

The Best Day Trips for Portsmouth University Students

The Best Cafés for Students in Portsmouth

Check out more posts like these on our student blog

Life in Portsmouth as a Uni student is very fun as you have the beautiful Southsea beach to visit - especially during the summertime.

Francesca Christies Letting Agents

Frequently Asked Questions

Portsmouth student life​ is known for being fun and affordable, offering some great study spots (including the beach!) and a varied social scene to let your hair down once coursework has been handed in. The university’s buildings are scattered across the city, offering an integrated and walkable feel.
There are varied options for students wanting to party or simply have a catch-up drink. Student life in Portsmouth can involve the abundance of traditional pubs here, as well as the variety of cocktail bars, live music venues, and clubs with themed student nights.
Southsea is the clear favourite amongst students, with a range of conveniently placed independent shops, beaches, and closeness to the city centre. It has some solid nightlife options, as well as tranquil gardens. Students also tend to live in the city centre itself and Fratton for their affordability and stunning Victorian terraced houses.
October is the best time to start looking for student accommodation in Portsmouth. Properties will be available until February, but we would recommend starting a search for a property during the autumn. The most popular student areas in Portsmouth include Southsea, Fratton and City Centre.
UniHomes has a property search tool which displays hundreds of student properties in Portsmouth, all with bills included. Sign up to our mailing list so that you can be notified of new properties going live.
Tenancy periods in Portsmouth usually last for 12 months. Most contracts will start on the 1st July and end on the 30th June the following year. Occasionally, letting agents may offer tenancy periods that last for 10 or 11 months, starting in August or September. You can always enquire with the letting agent to find out how long your contract length will be.
Deposits are usually either 4 or 5 week's rent. The maximum legal amount a landlord can charge your for a deposit is 5 week's rent. You’ll get your deposit back when you move out of the property. That said, if the landlord is still owed outstanding rent or needs to pay for repairs to damage within the property, they may take deductions from the deposit to cover the costs.
UniHomes accommodation in Portsmouth usually costs £100 – £200 per person, per week. This price includes the cost of all bills you'll need to pay, which you won't always see on other student accommodation websites. Check out the full range of student accommodations available in Portsmouth.

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