Campus on England's sunny South Coast
Available: 17th June 2012 – 26th August 2012
Ages: 10 – 17
Location: University of Portsmouth, Langstone Campus
Time to London: 1 hour 30 minutes (by train)
See our prices
Southsea is both a seaside resort and part of the city of Portsmouth on England’s South coast. The whole area is in fact a separate island, called Portsea Island, which is connected to the mainland by three road bridges.
Our Southsea summer school is located at the Langstone Campus of the University of Portsmouth, which has superb teaching and sport facilities.
In the surrounding area you’ll find many coastal attractions from historic ships and piers to modern shops and attractions including beach volleyball and skate-parks. Portsmouth city centre is a short taxi/bus ride away and offers cinema and mall shopping.
Parent & Child bookings - new for 2012
Parents of junior students taking part in the programme at Southsea are welcome to join their children for a English cultural experience, where they can also develop their language skills and take part in the programmed excursions.
(also available at Chichester)
Accommodation
There are several residences on campus, which are all within easy walking distance of each other. All offer single rooms with private (en suite) bathrooms.
The rooms are arranged into flats, with 6-8 rooms. The rooms have been recently refurbished to a high standard and many have great sea views.
Security: Night security is provided on the campus at Southsea.
Facilities
- Classrooms: Lessons take place in modern well-equipped classrooms in the teaching building.
- Sports facilities: The campus is set in its own ground with well-kept playing fields, where football, volleyball and baseball are played. There are also tennis courts, rugby pitches and a floodlit Astroturf.
- Dining Hall: Modern, self-service dining-hall for 150+ diners and out-side space for al fresco dining.
- Common room: Large indoor hall for evening activities including discos and karaoke.
- Launderette: There is a coin-operated launderette on site.
- Email & internet: These will be available in students’ rooms for a weekly charge. Ask on arrival. Students should bring their own laptops.
- Computers: Students will also have use of an IT suite at set-times.
Travel time to major airports and stations: †
| Airport or Station |
Transfer time |
| London Gatwick (LGW) |
1 hour 30 minutes |
| London Heathrow (LHR) |
1 hour 30 minutes |
| St Pancras International (Eurostar) |
2 hours |
| Luton Airport (LHR) |
2 hours 30 minutes |
| Stansted Airport (STN) |
2 hours 30 minutes |
See our transfer prices
† Travel times shown are average transfer times by road
Activities*
Daytime activities
- Sports: Football, Mini-Olympics, Rounders, Squash, Volleyball, Basketball and Tennis.
- Non-sports: Treasure Hunts, Mask-making and 'Make-your-own-Crazy Golf' and additional off-site local visits.
- Town trails: Portsmouth city trail and Southsea town trail.
Evening activities
- Blind Date, Discos, Extravaganza, Fashion Show, Karaoke, Quiz and Games.
* Examples of typical activities offered are shown
Excursions**
Included in the course price:
- One full-day and 2 half-day excursions each week.
- Also one visit to Portsmouth city centre each week.
- The excursions outside of Southsea and Portsmouth may be either by coach or train.
Examples of typical included excursions:
- London: The UK capital offers an unrivalled choice of shopping, world-class galleries, museums and so much more.
- Brighton: Just one hour from London, Brighton is an historic and colourful city by the sea with great shops, palace, pier, bars and restaurants.
- Bournemouth: A pretty town on England's South Coast with sandy beaches, shops and gardens.
- Oxford: Home to England's oldest university, you'll enjoy exploring Oxford's grand buildings, containing museums, shops and colleges.
Examples of typical optional excursions:
- Buckingham Palace: Visit the Queen's Gallery and, during a few weeks of summer the state rooms at the British Monarch's primary home.
- Brighton Royal Pavilion: An unusual and decorative palace that is influenced by oriental styles.
- Brighton Sea-life Centre: For over 100 years the Brighton aquarium has been bringing the public eye-to eye with amazing creatures of the sea.
- Chessington World of Adventures:A zoo and theme park on the edge of Greater London, with roller-coasters and water rides.
- London Eye: Take a ride on Europe's tallest Ferris wheel and enjoy fantastic views over London.
- Madame Tussauds & Marvel 4D Experience: Waxwork museum, now with a unique 4D cinema, where you 'feel’ the film as well as see it!
- Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition & Rose Tour: Visit the site of two 16th century theatres, the rebuilt Globe Theatre, and the excavated Rose Theatre, on London’s South Bank.
- Thorpe Park: A leading theme park offering over thirty extreme rides and attractions.
- Tower of London: Originally built by William the Conqueror for centuries after this palace, with its prison tower was the place of many royal executions.
** Examples of typical excursions shown. Optional excursions require extra payment for travel and entrance
External links:
Local annual climate
University of Portsmouth
Southsea summer school: University of Portsmouth
Accommodation: Southsea residence
Accommodation: Southsea study bedroom
Accommodation: Private bathrooms
Facilities: Southsea sports pitch
Facilities: Southsea dining room

Excursions: Students on the rides at Brighton Pier