Starting your social life at uni
Upcoming social events for international students
University life is about much more than just studying. Discovering the local culture and exploring your new hometown – and the country around it too – is a big part of what makes studying abroad so memorable.
Throughout the year, we offer a variety of events and activities for all our students. Take a look below for a sample of the activities happening this year.
From September 2022, we will be bringing back our full programme of coach trips to popular locations around the UK as well as our smaller free social events on campus here in Portsmouth.
You can also get involved with cultural events throughout the year, from Christmas Vacation socials to Chinese New Year celebrations, and even our Global Week – a week long programme of events, lectures and sports sessions to celebrate diversity here in Portsmouth. Keep up to date on these events on our official Global Community Facebook group.
Social events
March 2024
Global Week celebrates the global culture we have at the University of Portsmouth!
In March 2024 we will be hosting a week-long programme of events celebrating the international diversity we have at the University of Portsmouth. More information will be announced on the Global Week webpage.
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, join us on these activities.
Summer Solstice walk - FREE - 21 June 2023
Join us on a morning walk to mark the longest day of the year, when the light is the longest and the night is shortest. Throughout the ages, this period has been seen as a marker for time and to reflect on the past season and set goals for the season ahead. You’ll have the chance to walk in community with others and take in all the elements.
Cardiff - Saturday 13 May 2023 - £25
Departure from Portsmouth 7.00am
Departure from Cardiff 5.00pm
Ticket price is for coach travel only.
Cardiff is a thriving and dynamic creative capital city with a rich cultural heritage; a burgeoning music scene; one of the largest collections of impressionist artwork in the world; an exciting sports culture and a multitude of activities to choose from. In the heart of the city centre, Cardiff Castle’s walls and fairy-tale towers conceal over 2,000 years of history and the Victorian and Edwardian arcades, full of independent boutiques and cafes are worth a visit as architectural gems. Explore the City Centre or head out to Cardiff Bay if you are missing the water.
Southwick DDay Revival - Saturday 10 June 2023 - £10
Departure from Portsmouth 11.30am
Departure from Southwick 5.00pm
Ticket price is for coach travel only.
Join us for a fun day in a beautiful Hampshire village as the whole village goes back to the 1940s. Entertainment includes free history walking tours, themed pubs and tea rooms, motorcade of vintage vehicles, traditional fairground, wartime cookery displays, vintage market street, Spitfire flypast.
Chinese New Year, January 2023 - Year of the Rabbit
Honour the Year of the Rabbit with the Chinese Society’s annual show to celebrate their Lunar New Year through traditional dance, songs and other performances. Free.
International Students' Book Club
Meet once a month for friendly and relaxed discussions on books, poems and short stories. The Book Club is a great place to meet new people, practice your English skills and enjoy talks and visits about other places associated with books and reading in Portsmouth.
Once a year, Book Club takes part in World Book Night celebrations and takes books to communities outside the university, getting to know new people and new places.
For more information, contact rhiannon.thomson@port.ac.uk
Global Café
2.00pm - 3.00pm every Wednesday during term time, Park Building Café. All students welcome.
Global Café hosts weekly themed discussions every Wednesday during term time. If you'd like to meet other students in a friendly, informal environment then Global Café is for you! You'll meet students from other countries and share knowledge and experience of other cultures and languages, or just a chat. All students are welcome. Join us on Moodle for updates, venues, theme announcements and online conversation.
Global Week
Global Week celebrates the global culture we have at the University of Portsmouth.
In March 2023 we will be hosting a week-long programme of events celebrating the international diversity we have at the university. More information will be announced on this page over the next few months.
HOST UK is a scheme where you can spend a day or weekend with a British family anywhere in the UK. You will get to learn more about British culture and share your culture with them. This is a great opportunity to fully immerse yourself in British culture and to make new friends along the way. Contact us for details on how to apply.
- Weekend visit: £30
- Day visit: £15
- The cost of travel is extra.
Look out for details of the HOSTUK Christmas visits on our Facebook page and in the WeAreGlobal newsletter to experience a real British Christmas, with all the trimmings.