Extra-curricular
Personal development is central to life at UTC Portsmouth,
and Enrichment is how we bring our six STEM Learning
Habits to life: communication, teamwork, creative problem
solving, resilience, responsibility and curiosity. Timetabled
for all students, the programme offers a range of engaging
activities that build confidence, independence, and essential
skills for success in STEM and beyond.
Beyond academic learning, we place strong emphasis on
developing key life skills. We offer a choice of enrichment
activities as part of every students’ timetable, all of which
relate to our values of communication skills, teamwork,
creative problem solving, resilience, responisbility and
curiosity.
Examples of enrichment include; Illustration, Astronomy,
Magazine, Modelling, Raspberry Pi Wars, Chess, Rugby and
UAV Design.
Our enrichment programme is designed with our students
firmly in mind. Each term, they help shape the offer,
suggesting and selecting sessions that reflect their interests
and ambitions.
We also support students who wish to run their own sessions,
such as rocket club and a dedicated medicine enrichment
option for those with aspirations for a medical career. This
allows us to encourage initiative and independence, whilst
supporting students to succeed.
This is what makes our offering both unique and highly valued.
Training at UTC Portsmouth is a unique and compulsory
part of every student’s timetable, offering opportunities
not available at other schools or colleges. It’s designed
to build on your existing skills and qualifications, helping
you create a pathway tailored to your future goals. When
students choose their training, they focus on selecting
options that will support their long-term aspirations.
This offers them a chance to gain a real advantage.
Students have access to a diverse and enriching training
programme, designed to enhance their skills and strengthen
their CVs. Options include the prestigious Gold CREST Award,
where students explore a STEM topic of their choice through
independent research, and Open University courses, offering
a chance to revisit dropped subjects or explore new ones.
Students can also participate in our Project Pipeline,
collaborating with Employer Partners on real-world briefs
that build teamwork, communication and professionalism.
About School
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | Portsmouth |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Mixed |
FAQs
admissions@utcportsmouth.org
Our next open morning is on 8 November 2025 10.30am - 12 noon. Please visit our website to book onto the event.
Applications to join UTC Portsmouth in Year 12 (Sixth Form) should be made directly to UTC Portsmouth. The link to the application form is available in the 'Apply' section of the UTC Portsmouth website. Applications close on 12 January 2026.
Once we have received your application, you will be invited to a meeting to discuss your application. This is a chance for us to understand why you'd like to study with us and talk about your predicted GCSE results. Following your meeting, you'll receive a provisional offer that will be confirmed after our applications close on 12 January 2026.
We offer a unique STEM focused academic education. When students study with us, they gain qualifications plus real-world skills through Employer projects, training programmes, and enrichment activities. Our professional, mature learning environment, specialist facilities, and small class sizes help students thrive and prepare for life beyond college.
Students who: ✅ have a genuine interest in STEM subjects, ✅ are ambitious, motivated, and curious problem solvers, ✅ prefer a more mature, career-focused learning environment, ✅ want to prepare for university, higher apprenticeships, or STEM careers.
We offer three pathways through Sixth Form: 1️⃣ The A Level Route - Choose from a wide range of STEM-focused subjects including maths, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, psychology, geography, English and product design. 2️⃣ Combined Route - Study 2-3 A levels alongside the Extended Certificate in Engineering (equivalent to one A level). 3️⃣ T Level Route - Choose between Engineering and Digital; equivalent to 3 A levels and includes a 45-50 day industry placement with an employer.
Students learn in purpose-built, modern spaces including: 🔵 Engineering workshops, design labs, CAD/CAM and 3D printing suites, 🔵 Fully cloud-based systems (each student works from a Chromebook/laptop), 🔵 Dedicated Sixth Form study and social areas 🔵 Access to the University of Portsmouth's library.
The Sixth Form day runs 8:30am - 4:40pm, mirroring professional working hours. Some students will have later starts/earlier finishes depending on the timetable. Students also have slots available for Independent Study, which can be taken within the college to allow them to complete their work within the college day. All students attend Training and Enrichment sessions as part of their timetable.
We work closely with leading organisations such as the Royal Navy, BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Eaton, Lockheed Martin, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, and more. Students gain exposure to the world of work through projects, site visits, mentoring, and work experience.
Our students go on to top universities (including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Bath, and Southampton) or higher and degree apprenticeships with employers like Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Dyson, Royal Navy and GSK. 100% of Sixth Form leavers progress into STEM-related degrees or apprenticeships.
We offer small class sizes (around 15 students per class), dedicated pastoral and progression support, guidance for UCAS application and apprenticeship preparation, and a respectful, safe, and inclusive community.
UTC Portsmouth actively promotes women in STEM through mentoring (including our recently set up mentoring programme with Employer Partners), enrichment options, and interactions with female role models in STEM. We already have a higher proportion of female students than similar institutions.