The university, in collaboration with the global property investment and development group Northchild Group, is establishing a campus in Waltham Forest, the only northeast London borough without a higher education institution.

Initially, the campus will occupy two floors of an existing building, with plans underway for a new, comprehensive single-site campus capable of accommodating up to 7,000 students. In February 2024, it will welcome approximately 100 international postgraduate students, followed by undergraduate students in September 2024.

The university aims to have an equal number of international and domestic students. In preparation for this, an admissions and recruitment center was opened in Walthamstow Library in March 2023.

Apart from offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the University of Portsmouth London plans to provide work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships and flexible study options, tailored to the skills and requirements of the local community and businesses.

Graham Galbraith, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, emphasised the importance of "civic connectivity" in this initiative, avoiding the mistake of imposing a university on a community without its involvement.

The university anticipates that the new campus will contribute up to £372 million to the borough's economy over the next two decades. This boost will extend to local supply chains, research opportunities for nearby businesses, the creation of over 500 new local jobs, and more.

"We aimed to establish a presence where higher education was lacking and where there wasn't a university like ours in terms of ranking and positioning in the league tables," Galbraith explained. "Building a strong relationship with the local community was of utmost importance to us."

Galbraith added, "There's a noticeable improvement in academic performance across London, and I believe having a local university here will contribute to that."

Grace Williams, the leader of Waltham Forest Council, expressed enthusiasm about the campus launch, describing it as an exciting moment for the borough and the community. She stated, "The University of Portsmouth is among the top modern universities in the country and will provide our residents with a world-class education right on our doorstep, regardless of their age or background."

Williams also highlighted the potential benefits for care leavers, mentioning that the university has committed to offering a bursary to support individuals with care experience from Waltham Forest.

Source: PIE NEWS