Reasons to be cheerful — why Portsmouth really is the best place to study journalism
1. NCTJ-accredited
Our journalism degree is accredited by national industry body, the NCTJ. Students can work towards their NCTJ diploma throughout the course. This is important as most editors want their new recruits to have passed the qualification. We are the best performing NCTJ undergraduate course in the country.
2. Portsmouth Football Club
The University of Portsmouth is proud to be the main sponsor of Pompey FC.
We have a close working relationship with the League One club with our journalism students able to go along to match-days to report on games. This is a fantastic experience for students and a great advantage when applying for jobs following the course. See our video above.
3. Home of the navy
Walk through the city and you will brush past sailors heading to and from the naval base.
A short walk down to the harbour and you might see the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, frigates or destroyers entering the harbour.
You can also explore our country’s naval heritage at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, with Nelson’s HMS Victory and King Henry VIII’s Mary Rose.
All this can be an excellent source for stories for budding journalists pounding the beat.
4. Big events
When Portsmouth puts on an event, it’s usually big and our students are there to cover it.
This year we’ve had President Trump and the Queen visit for the D-Day commemorations.
In August, we have Victorious in Southsea, which is fast-becoming one of the biggest music festivals in the country.
And the Great South Run — a 10-mile road race around the city — is always a huge event which attracts thousands of people in October, and one that our journalism students can report on live from the day.
5. Portsmouth News
We have excellent links with the city’s daily newspaper — The News, Portsmouth. You can pitch story ideas to them for publication throughout your degree with the potential to undertake work experience.
6. High ranking
The University of Portsmouth has been ranked 21st in the Guardian’s University Guide 2020. The University has the highest graduate outcomes (the number of students entering graduate-level of employment) and our students are the highest satisfied with their course and assessment (based on our National Student Survey score).
7. Court experience
Our journalism school is based next to the city’s two court buildings — Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court and Portsmouth Crown Court. Our students can get vital first-hand experience of these courts in action and learn how to report from them.
8. Diverse politics
Portsmouth has a broad range of political views from which to report on.
The city’s two MPs are Labour and Conservative, while the city council is run by the Liberal Democrats.
9. Town, country and seaside
Portsmouth’s fantastic location means students can benefit from the city vibe as well as beach life.
And, just a short distance out of the city, you can explore the surrounding countryside of the South Downs National Park.
