Portsmouth University - In Depth

Founded: 1869 as Portsmouth & Gosport School of Science and Art; became Portsmouth Polytechnic 1969, university status 1992.

Site: Single campus in city centre.

How to get there: By train to Portsmouth & Southsea station; by coach to Portsmouth Harbour; by road via A3/M27 and onto M275.

Academic features: Many courses in business, science and engineering include Foundation courses.

Awarding body: Portsmouth University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng, MEng, MPharm, FdA, FdSc, MArch.

Length of courses: 3 years or 4 years.

Library & information services: Central library; total of 600,000 volumes, 5400 periodicals, 880 study places; short loan collection. Annual expenditure on information provision £70 per (FE) student. New students given 1-hour introduction to library. Separate IT service with university-wide access to IT facilities, library and internet.

Study abroad: 12% of students spend a period abroad. Formal exchange links with over 50 European universities and colleges, many open to non-language specialists.

Careers: Information and advice service, 5 careers advisers. Runs management skills course.

Student advice & services: Academic skills centre, chaplaincy, counselling, disability advisers, health & medical centre, finance centre, housing, international student adviser, SU resource centre, 38-place nursery.

Amenities: New SU with 5 entertainment venues, insurance outlet, copyshop, bookshop and convenience store.

Sporting facilities: Wide range of sports: indoor sports centre, gym, extensive outdoor facilities; excellent sailing, windsurfing, rowing and canoeing on Solent. South East regional talented athletic scholarship team member.

Accommodation: Majority of first years in halls of residence (first years given priority): 2940 study bedrooms, some catered, some self-catering; all with internal telephone and internet connection. Rents £63-186 per week self-catering; £82-£98 pw catered halls. Some places for students with disabilities. Private rented accommodation at £55 pw self-catering, £75 pw for half board.

Living expenses budget: A minimum budget of £5500 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term-time work: SU Jobshop. University allows part-time work in term time for full-time students (60% believed to work). Some work available in eg SU bars, offices, university events.

Financial help: £880,000 government access to learning funds, including mature bursaries (1150 students helped); £62,700 residential bursary fund (40 students helped); opportunity bursaries £174,500 (250 students helped); ITE fund £17,100 (11 students helped); early years Foundation degree bursaries £124,000 (230 students helped); hardship loans £277,500 (650 students helped); university funds and scholarships £55,200 (340 students helped).

Tuition fees: Home students pay £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £7250 pa (classroom), £8350 (lab/studio). Students may pay by instalment.