What Postgraduate Study Options Are Available at the University of Portsmouth?

Updated

The University of Portsmouth offers two main postgraduate routes: Master's and postgraduate taught courses, and postgraduate research degrees and PhDs. Both are presented on the university's website as ways to "explore your postgraduate journey," and the site provides course-finding tools for each. If you are deciding between a taught course and a research degree, the choice comes down to whether you want structured, course-based study or an independent research project.

Master's and Postgraduate Taught Courses

This route covers taught programmes, typically Master's degrees, where you follow a set curriculum of modules and assessments.

  • Format: Taught modules, usually completed over one year full-time or longer part-time.
  • Focus: Career-focused study, consistent with the university's positioning around real-world experience and employability.
  • How to explore: The website directs prospective students to find their postgraduate course and apply, with a dedicated "Find your postgraduate course" entry point.

If your goal is to deepen knowledge in a subject area or support a career change through structured teaching, this is the relevant option.

Postgraduate Research Degrees and PhDs

This route is for students who want to produce original research under supervision rather than follow a taught curriculum.

  • Format: Independent research leading to a thesis, supervised by academic staff.
  • Focus: Research and innovation; the university describes its research as responding to challenges, influencing policy, and contributing to global change.
  • How to explore: The website lists postgraduate research degrees and PhDs as a separate pathway from taught courses.

Choose this route if you already have a clear research question and want to work toward a doctoral-level qualification.

Comparing the Two Routes

Dimension Master's / Taught Research / PhD
Structure Set modules and assessments Independent project with supervision
Typical output Taught qualification Thesis
Best suited to Career-focused or subject-deepening study Original research and academic careers
Entry point on site Find your postgraduate course Postgraduate research degrees and PhDs

Getting More Information

The university runs postgraduate open days where you can find out more about Master's and research degrees. One listed date is a Postgraduate Open Day on 21 October 2026, held on campus. Booking is done through the website's open day booking pages.

Before attending or applying, confirm the specific entry requirements, start dates, and fees for your chosen course directly with the university, since these vary by programme and are not detailed in the overview material.