About the university
The University of Portsmouth traces its history to 1869 and became a university in 1992. It is a large public university on the south coast of England, with most teaching on one campus in the centre of Portsmouth.
It is known for practical, career-focused courses in computing, business, engineering and the sciences, with optional placement years on many degrees and support for students who want to start a business.
For Indian students the draw is moderate fees (most master's courses on this page cost £19,200 to £20,950 a year), January and September starts, and scholarships of £2,500 to £5,000 for self-funded international students. Indian applicants must pass a credibility interview after meeting the English condition and paying a deposit.
Portsmouth is a coastal city on the south coast of England. It is smaller and usually cheaper to live in than London, and the university also runs a separate London campus.
- Roots
- Earliest incarnation in 1869; university status in 1992 after a decade as a polytechnic
- Type
- Public university
- Total students
- About 21,400 (21,435 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 37% of students (THE data); the university says over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries
- Student–staff ratio
- 15.2 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Main campus in Portsmouth, plus a London campus with its own courses
- Intakes
- September and January for most master's courses; the MBA Global also starts in May
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=662 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
401–450 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
=50th of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £20,950
- Duration
- 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £20,950
- Duration
- 1 year (September start) or 18 months (January start), full time
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Fee / year
- £20,950
- Duration
- 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology
- Fee / year
- £20,950
- Duration
- 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc International Business and Management
- Fee / year
- £18,600
- Duration
- 1 year (September start) or 14 months (January start), full time
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- January; May; September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,500
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £20,950
- Duration
- 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time
- Intakes
- January; September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Analytics | 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time | £20,950 | ≈ ₹25.6 lakh |
| MSc Computer Science | 1 year (September start) or 18 months (January start), full time | £20,950 | ≈ ₹25.6 lakh |
| MSc Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time | £20,950 | ≈ ₹25.6 lakh |
| MSc Cyber Security and Forensic Information Technology | 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time | £20,950 | ≈ ₹25.6 lakh |
| MSc International Business and Management | 1 year (September start) or 14 months (January start), full time | £18,600 | ≈ ₹22.7 lakh |
| MBA Global | 1 year (full time) | £19,700 | ≈ ₹24 lakh |
| MSc Project Management | 1 year (full time) | £19,500 | ≈ ₹23.8 lakh |
| MSc Engineering Management | 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start), full time | £20,950 | ≈ ₹25.6 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Portsmouth with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- January 2027 entry
Chancellor's Global Academic Merit Scholarship
Value: £5,000 off first-year tuition fees
Eligibility: Merit-based, for self-funded students assessed as overseas fee payers who have not studied at Portsmouth before. You must submit the scholarship form with your application by 2 November 2026. Cannot be combined with other awards.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - January and May 2027 entry, undergraduate and postgraduate
Vice Chancellor's Global Development Scholarship
Value: £2,500 off first-year tuition fees
Eligibility: Nationals of listed countries, including India, who are self-funded and on a full-time campus course with annual fees of £16,200 or more. Cannot be combined with other awards.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - One-year master's
Chevening Scholarships
Value: Full tuition, living allowance, flights and visa costs
Eligibility: Applicants with an undergraduate degree, at least two years' work experience and leadership potential.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Indian applicants need an average of 75% or above in Class 12 State Board exams, or 70% in a Central Board, with relevant subjects.
- A recognised three-year diploma after Class 10 with 60% or above may allow entry to the second year of a related course.
- A foundation year is available at International College Portsmouth (ICP) if you do not meet direct entry.
Postgraduate
- Master's courses generally need a bachelor's degree with at least second-class honours (or equivalent).
- Applicants with a lower degree may be considered with relevant work experience.
- Pre-master's programmes are available at International College Portsmouth for some courses.
- After meeting the English condition and paying a £1,000 deposit, Indian applicants are invited to a recorded credibility interview.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate and transcripts
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score or Class 12 English mark
- Personal statement
- References or CV where the course asks for them
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Most master's courses need 6.0 (no component below 5.5) for computing and engineering, or 6.5 (no component below 6.0) for business and management. Bachelor's degrees usually need 6.0 with no component below 5.5. |
| Class 12 English | 75% or above in English in the Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard 12 is accepted, except from the Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttarakhand boards. |
| PTE Academic | Accepted. The English requirements page lists 65 overall (62 in each part) for most master's and 62 (59 in each part) for most bachelor's degrees. PTE Academic Online is not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | Accepted. For Indian applicants the English condition is cleared after a successful credibility interview. |
| Pre-sessional English | Available for students who need to reach the required level before the course starts. |
Accommodation and living costs
University-owned halls include gas, electricity, heating, water, basic insurance and broadband in the rent. Prices below are 2026-27 starting rates; 2027/28 rates are confirmed by March 2027.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Self-catered, shared bathroom (Trust Hall)£4,790 for the academic year | £120per week | ≈ ₹14,640 |
| Self-catered, shared bathroom (Bateson Hall)£5,200 to £5,850 for the academic year | £130–141per week | ≈ ₹15,860 – ₹17,202 |
| Self-catered en suite roomsLangstone Flats from £148 to Greetham Street Hall from £201 | £148–201per week | ≈ ₹18,056 – ₹24,522 |
| Catered hallsBurrell House from £175; Rees Hall (en suite) from £205 | £175–205per week | ≈ ₹21,350 – ₹25,010 |
Campus and location
The main campus is in the centre of Portsmouth, with most halls of residence close to the teaching buildings.
- Free broadband and WiFi in university halls, with all bills included.
- Optional placement years on many degrees, with support from the Careers and Employability Service.
- Student start-up support for students who want to freelance or launch a business.
- A separate London campus offers its own versions of some business and computing courses.
Careers and graduate outcomes
The Careers and Employability Service helps with part-time jobs, placements, graduate jobs and starting a business. Many courses offer a paid placement year. See our UK guide for post-study work rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International students as a share of all students | 37% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at Portsmouth cost?
Most computing and engineering master's cost £20,950 for September 2027 (£19,200 for January 2027). Business master's are mostly £19,500 for September 2027 (£18,600 for January 2027).
Can I start in January?
Yes. Most master's courses on this page start in January as well as September. January starts usually run for 14 to 18 months.
Can I use my Class 12 English marks instead of IELTS?
Yes, if you scored 75% or above in English in Standard 12, except from the Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttarakhand boards. Check your course page for its exact requirement.
What is the credibility interview?
Indian applicants who meet the English condition and pay the £1,000 deposit are invited to a recorded online interview through CAS Shield before the university issues a CAS.
Are there scholarships for Indian students?
For January 2027 entry, the Chancellor's Global Academic Merit Scholarship gives £5,000 off (apply by 2 November 2026), and Indian nationals can get the £2,500 Vice Chancellor's Global Development Scholarship. Only one award can be used.
Sources
- University of Portsmouth: MSc Data Analytics (opens in a new tab)
- University of Portsmouth: MSc Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- University of Portsmouth: MBA Global (opens in a new tab)
- University of Portsmouth: India country page (opens in a new tab)
- University of Portsmouth: scholarships for international students (opens in a new tab)
- University of Portsmouth: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- University of Portsmouth: halls of residence 2026-27 (opens in a new tab)
- University of Portsmouth: our story (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of Portsmouth (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.port.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details