INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Why come and study in Portsmouth?
Welcome to Portsmouth, a dynamic and diverse city on England’s stunning south coast, where history meets innovation and the sea inspires every step of your journey. As an international student, you’ll find Portsmouth to be more than just a place to study—it’s a place to thrive.
Why Portsmouth?
Global Community: With students from over 150 countries, Portsmouth offers a truly international experience. You’ll feel at home in a welcoming, multicultural environment that celebrates diversity.
Seaside Living: Enjoy the best of coastal life with beautiful beaches, scenic waterfront walks, and a vibrant harbour. Whether it’s relaxing by the sea or exploring maritime heritage, Portsmouth offers a unique blend of leisure and learning.
City Life with Character: From independent cafés and international cuisine to lively music venues and cultural festivals, Portsmouth is bursting with energy. The city’s compact size makes it easy to explore, while still offering everything you need.
Connected & Convenient: Just 90 minutes from London by train and well-connected to Europe via ferry and nearby airports, Portsmouth is a gateway to adventure across the UK and beyond.
Coming to the United Kingdom with family
We welcome enquiries from families around the world, at any time of the year. If you are moving to the United Kingdom and bringing your daughter with you on your own visa, or if she holds a UK passport, she may join Portsmouth High School GDST by following our standard entry procedures.
Many of our international students are placed through an agency who will liaise directly with the admissions team at Portsmouth High School GDST, giving you all the information you need about the school, and advise on the logistics, like the time you’ll need to organise a visa and travel arrangements, and arranging a host family who will provide a home for your daughter in the United Kingdom.
We have an outstanding reputation for pastoral care, and we employ a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) Assistant, who will make sure that your daughter settles well into all aspects of life here. Form Tutors, Heads of Year, our Welfare Officer and the Deputy Head or Head of Sixth Form all oversee the wellbeing of our international pupils. The agencies will arrange for the appropriate examinations and interviews to take place. We ask that girls joining Sixth Form hold an average IELTS score of 5.5 if applying from non-English speaking countries.
As we are a day school, all students without family in the United Kingdom will stay with host families in the local area, which is arranged via the homestay agency. All offers made to study at Portsmouth High School are done in conjunction with the agency contract for homestay.
MRS EMMY HUTCHINGS
I work closely with teachers, parents and guardians, to make sure all international students are fully immersed into school life and offer continued support to optimise learning during their time at the school.
As the EAL Assistant at Portsmouth High School, my job is to play a complementary and supporting role to international students joining the school. I help encourage pupils in their learning and acquisition of skills, and am also responsible for their care, welfare and cultural needs.
View our video (subtitled in Mandarin) for international students:
