Represent your university.
Inspire others, make new friends, develop employment skills and boost your confidence.
What is the University Ambassador Scheme?
The ambassador scheme offers undergraduate and postgraduate students the chance to represent the University at both on-campus and off-campus events. You’ll be involved in things like open days, campus tours, higher education fairs, and school workshops. The scheme helps inspire others to explore higher education and consider studying at the University of Portsmouth. As a University Ambassador, you’ll be a positive role model and a key part of this work.
Being an ambassador isn’t just about helping others; it’s a great way for you to make new friends, develop employment skills and boost your confidence. You’ll get practical training and work experience that can support your future career.
Pay and hours of work
This is a paid position offering a competitive hourly rate. As a University Ambassador, you'll be employed on a zero-hour contract, giving you the flexibility to choose shifts that fit your schedule.
What does the role involve?
The ambassador role is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, offering paid work that fits around your studies. You’ll have the chance to get involved in a variety of activities, including but not limited to:
- Open Days
- Open Experience Days
- Higher education fairs
- School and college visits
- Presentations on student life
- Residential summer schools
- Campus tours
- Accommodation tours
- Taster days
- Faculty events
- Teacher and adviser conferences
- Confirmation and clearing
- Social media and digital content creation
We offer full training for the roles that you will take on as a University Ambassador.
What our ambassadors say about the role
We asked our ambassadors what they enjoy about the role, the benefits they've gained and if they’d recommend it to other students.
Here’s what they had to say.
Dion
Engaging with new/future students and making friends with fellow ambassadors is what I enjoy most. I find it rewarding to be a part of someone's decision-making process and to see them get excited about the opportunities available to them. Additionally, I appreciate the sense of community and camaraderie that comes with being part of the ambassador team. It's a fun experience.
Working as an ambassador has helped build my confidence, enhance my networking skills, improve my interpersonal skills and develop a greater sense of responsibility, leadership and accountability. Highlighting these experiences on my resume has significantly aided me in my search for 2nd year placement. That is something I'm grateful for.
Helen
I really enjoy the ambassador work. Everyone has a talkative and open nature as it’s at the heart of the job. The work can be so versatile too. I’ve had loads of fun, from filming on a rock climbing wall to getting involved with year 10 discos. The ambassador team are understanding with university timetabling and signing up for shifts is really flexible. It also presents the opportunity to meet some of your closest friends who you never would've met otherwise.
I absolutely recommend the ambassador job to other students. You aren’t just treated as an employee, you feel invested in. It is much more fun than regular retail and restaurant jobs and it’s refreshing being surrounded by so many other students.
Alexis
What I enjoy most about being an ambassador is the variety of experiences and skills I’ve gained from taking on different roles. Initially, I was nervous about the position because of the anxiety I felt speaking to new people. However, working as an ambassador has helped me overcome those fears and significantly improved my confidence. I’ve had opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and it’s been incredibly rewarding.
What truly makes this experience special is the supportive team around me. The staff are incredibly welcoming and always provide encouragement, which makes a huge difference. Their infectious energy creates such a positive work environment. It’s a role that has helped me grow both personally and professionally and I love being part of it.
Oliver
The ambassador role is a great way to push yourself and further your interpersonal skills, which has really boosted my confidence. Every shift offers something new; one week you could be showing people your old student accommodation the next you could be in a photoshoot. I've enjoyed meeting many different colleagues from a variety of backgrounds, many of which I have built friendships with.
I would absolutely recommend being an ambassador. I have enjoyed every second of the role. It’s a great way to meet people you would otherwise never have known, all whilst representing your university and helping the next cohort of prospective students.
Sinéad
As an ambassador, I really enjoy engaging with prospective students and working with people from different courses. When I was applying to university, I felt apprehensive and unsure of what to expect, so it's rewarding to be able to offer reassurance to those considering studying here.
Being an ambassador has helped to further develop key skills from my degree, such as public speaking, time management and problem solving. This role has also boosted my confidence, allowing me to put myself forward for other student opportunities and make the most of my university experience.
Jack
The thing I enjoy most about being an ambassador is the impact that we can have on prospective students. I love talking to visitors at events as I feel I can make a positive difference to them as well as making them more comfortable before joining us.
Being an ambassador has helped build my confidence, communication skills and sense of responsibility, as well as other soft skills what will be valuable when I leave university and go into the workplace.
Apply to be a University Ambassador
Are you passionate about your course, the University and the city of Portsmouth? If so, the role of University Ambassador is a great way to share your enthusiasm and support others on their educational journey.
We encourage students from all backgrounds to join us. Our University Ambassadors should represent the diverse range of young people we connect with.
The University Ambassador scheme is divided into three areas, each offering different activities.
Events
When working with the Events team, you'll represent the University at Open Days, Open Experience Days as well as other University led events. You'll help with the set up and pack down of each of the events, as well as deliver campus, halls and coach tours. You’ll provide information to visitors and share your experiences of university life, through conversations, presentations and live Q&A sessions.
Please note you'll need to be available for the majority of the main Open Days and Open Experience Day dates to work in this area.
Schools and Colleges
When working with the Schools and Colleges team, you'll inform, encourage and inspire young people (school years 5-13) from various backgrounds to consider future careers paths and progression to Higher Education. You’ll represent the University at events such as UCAS exhibitions, higher education fairs and careers fairs, as well as assisting in the delivery of activities such as taster days, information and guidance workshops, revision sessions, student life talks, campus tours and residential events.
Please note that you'll need to undertake an enhanced DBS check and additional training to work with this team.
Faculty
When working with your faculty team, your primary focus will be on faculty-specific support and events. You'll act as a representative for your faculty or course during Open Days, Open Experience Days and subject-specific events in partnership with schools and colleges. You'll help with the set up and pack down of each of the events, lead facility tours, support demonstrations and share valuable insights about your course and student life with visitors, drawing on your personal knowledge and experience.
Please note you will need to be available for the majority of the main Open Days and Open Experience Day dates to work in this area.
How to apply
Applications for the role are now open and will close at 11:59pm on 23 February 2025.
You can apply for one, two or all areas by stating your preference within the supporting statement of your application. However, please note that you may not be chosen for all the areas you apply for. The hiring manager will determine your suitability for each role.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a group interview between Monday 10 March and Friday 14 March 2025.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from final year students.
Support for existing ambassadors
From questions about your pay to what to do if you're sick, there's guidance here to help you.
If you can't find the answers you need in the FAQs below, please contact ambassadors@port.ac.uk.
Frequently asked questions
All University Ambassadors are members of UoP staff and are provided with a staff account, including email account and access to the Employee Self Service portal (ESS). Details of your staff account are sent to your personal email at the start of your employment. Details of your access to ESS are sent to your new staff email account (@port.ac.uk). Please check the above mentioned accounts for these details.
If you can’t find your staff login details, please contact IT Service Desk for support on 02392 847777, option 2. Alternatively, you can contact them through IT Self Service.
Please make a note of these details and always have them to hand, as you will regularly need them to login into ESS to submit paid time claims.
Please navigate to ess.port.ac.uk and sign in using your staff credentials. As this is a staff page, it will not allow you access if you input your student login details.
If you instantly receive an error message when you navigate to this page, it may be due to your device recognising you as a student. To overcome this, you can try the following:
- Use an incognito window
- Create a separate profile in your existing browser to log into staff related sites only
- Use a different browser such as Firefox or Chrome
If none of the above work, please contact IT Service Desk for assistance on 02392 847777, option 2. Alternatively, you can contact them through IT Self Service
You should login to ess.port.ac.uk after every event you work to submit a paid time claim. Select the ‘My Time’ tab of the left hand menu and then select ‘Add Paid Time’ to enter your shift details, including any break times and then save.
Authorisers will approve time claims on a weekly basis. You will be notified when your time claim has been approved, or if there are any issues with your claim, via your staff email account.
If you do not complete a paid time claim, you will not be paid for the work. It is your responsibility to keep track of the shifts and timings you’ve worked and to submit prompt and accurate time claims.
All ambassadors are paid by the University of Portsmouth and will receive payment on the last working day of each month. Please refer to the table below for the time claim submission deadlines and the corresponding 2025 pay dates. Claims submitted by the specified deadline will be processed for payment in the same month. If you miss a deadline, don’t worry, you will just get paid the following month.
| Month | Time Claim Submission Deadline | Pay Date |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9.00am on Friday 17 January | 31/01/2025 |
| February | 9.00am on Friday 14 February | 28/02/2025 |
| March | 9.00am on Friday 14 March | 31/03/2025 |
| April | 9.00am on Friday 17 April | 30/04/2025 |
| May | 9.00am on Friday 16 May | 30/05/2025 |
| June | 9.00am on Friday 13 June | 30/06/2025 |
| July | 9.00am on Friday 18 July | 31/07/2025 |
| August | 9.00am on Friday 15 August | 29/08/2025 |
| September | 9.00am on Friday 19 September | 30/09/2025 |
| October | 9.00am on Friday 17 October | 31/10/2025 |
| November | 9.00am on Friday 14 November | 28/11/2025 |
| December | 9.00am on Friday 12 December | 31/12/2025 |
You can view your payslips by logging into ess.port.ac.uk and selecting the ‘My Pay’ tab on the left hand menu. It is recommended that you download your payslips regularly as once your contract ends, you will no longer have access to ESS.
There are several possible reasons for not receiving payment. Your time claim may not have been submitted on time or may have not have been authorised due to errors. If a time claim is marked as ‘not authorised’ you will receive an email to your staff account stating the reason for this. You’ll need to amend and re-submit before the time claim deadline.
If you have submitted a time claim and you have not received an email stating it has been approved within a week of its submission, please contact ambassadors@port.ac.uk and the Ambassador Coordinator will follow this up.
If you have further questions about your pay, please contact payroll via People Hub or on 02392 848888.
If you wish to be paid into a different bank account, please visit ess.port.ac.uk and update your bank details in the ‘View Profile’ section of the left hand menu. The bank account must be registered in your name.
If you worked an event and it was agreed that your expenses would be reimbursed, you must liaise with your shift coordinator who will advise how to claim these expenses back.
Please contact ambassadors@port.ac.uk as soon as possible to let them know that you are unable to work. The more notice you can give, the better, as we will need to find another ambassador to attend in your place.
In your email, please ensure you state the event name and date you are no longer able to work and include your reason for cancelling. You must give a minimum of 48 hours notice of your cancellation.
If you cannot work an assigned shift due to illness, you must let the shift coordinator and Ambassador Coordinator know as soon as possible, so alternative arrangements can be made. You should always send this via email and text.
Although we usually require cancellations no later than 48 hours before a shift, we do understand that you can become ill the day before or on the day of the event. Just let us know as soon as possible.
All ambassadors are given a uniform consisting of a branded t-shirt and a hoodie. Storm jackets are also provided when necessary.
You can wear jeans, trousers, shorts or a skirt when working events. Trainers and closed toe shoes are encouraged for safety reasons. Please ensure all clothing is clean and presentable.
As you are representing the University of Portsmouth, please ensure that all clothing is clean and appropriate. Please do not wear any of the following when working:
- Offensive/inappropriate images or phrases
- Mini skirts
- Hot pant shorts
- Flip flops
If you are working a shift but do not have any uniform, please contact ambassadors@port.ac.uk
The majority of shifts will require you to wear the uniform. However, there may be some exceptions to this. If you are not required to wear a uniform, your shift coordinator will communicate this with you in advance.
To avoid missing out on any work offers, you must let us know if your contact details have changed as soon as possible by sending them to ambassadors@port.ac.uk.
If you move to new accommodation, please visit ess.port.ac.uk and update your address details in the ‘View Profile’ section of the left hand menu.
Please email ambassadors@port.ac.uk to formally notify us that you wish to step down from the role of University Ambassador, including the date you will no longer be available to work. You must also ensure your address details are up to date in ess.port.ac.uk so that your P45 is sent to the correct place.
Please contact ambassadors@port.ac.uk or 07739906043.
We are able to deal with queries via email, phone or WhatsApp during office hours 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
We will endeavor to respond to your email within 3 working days. If you have not heard back within this time frame, please send a follow up email.