Taster Day
Get stuck in
Your Taster Day is an exciting opportunity to experience College life. We're excited to welcome you and we hope you enjoy your time with us. Below you'll find everything you need to know about booking your Taster Day with us. If you have any questions, your schools rep will be able to offer you support and guidance.
Booking forms open from Monday 27 April at 9am and close on Monday 18 May at 5pm and you'll be able to sign-up through your school.
What to expect
We can't wait to meet you!
It's never too early to think about your next steps. Whether you're just starting to think about what life after school has in store for you, or if you know exactly what you want to do, a Taster Day at COPC is jam packed with hands-on sessions for you to immerse yourself in.
- A real taste of college life
- Support from staff
- Shorter day
- Try subjects YOU'VE chosen
- Hands-on
- Break time
- Free goodies
- Meet new people
Plan of the day
Before the day
Choose your subjects using the sign-up form. Pick whatever suits you most. You will receive your timetable approximately 1 week before your Taster Day. Remember, you can only choose one campus.Arrival at college
Please arrive on time, as we follow school procedures. Your school will inform you about transport arrangements and what to wear on the day (uniform/non uniform). You'll receive a lanyard and a personalised timetable.Getting started
Have fun, be open-minded, and ask questions - this is your chance to explore! Staff will be around to help if you're unsure.Support available
We've got you covered throughout the day. There is a quiet space available if you need a break. Extra support is available at any time.Pick your campus
North Harbour Campus
Centre of excellence for building and construction
A specialist campus for construction and building services training, designed to prepare you for careers in the trades.
You can choose 2 subjects
Highbury Campus
Centre of excellence for technical and higher education
A hub for vocational, technical, and higher education, offering a wide range of career-focuses courses.
You can choose 2 subjects
Sixth Form Campus
Centre of excellence for academic study
Known as our centre of excellence, with a strong focus on A Levels and vocational pathways in a supportive academic environment.
You can choose 4 subjects
Get to know our campuses
Take a closer look
With so much to offer, we're on hand to help you know what lives where. Our virtual tour let's you see round our learning spaces from the comfort of your own home.
Virtual tour
Take a closer look at our learning spaces and stand-out facilities with our interactive 360° virtual tour.
North Harbour Campus
What's on offer
You can pick TWO different subjects.
If attending North Harbour Campus, you'll be in practical workshops. Be prepared to get messy!
Subjects
- Bricklaying
- Carpentry
- Electrical Installation
- Painting & Decorating
- Plastering
- Plumbing & Gas
What to wear
- Trousers only - no shorts
- Trainers or steel-capped boots, if you have them. No flip-flops
Important: If you are not wearing the appropriate clothing, you won't be able to take part. All clothing must meet our Health & Safety regulations.
Highbury Campus
What's on offer
You can pick TWO different subjects.
Subjects
- Admin & Marketing
- Animal Care
- Art & Design
- Automotive
- Beauty Specialist
- Business Management
- Catering
- Digital Support Services
- Education & Childcare
- Engineering
- Hairdressing
- Health, Nursing & Social Care
- IT
- Sport (Outdoor)
- Sport (Multisport)
- Travel & Tourism
Sixth Form Campus
What's on offer
You can pick FOUR different subjects.
Please see below for a list of subject areas available as well as further reading to ensure the subjects you pick are compatible.
Subjects
- Art & Design
- Business, Marketing & Economics
- Computing & IT
- English & Languages
- Humanities
- Performing Arts & Music
- Science & Maths
- Social Sciences & Health
- Sport*
- Uniformed Protective Services*
*Must take a double session (1 & 2 or 3 & 4) on the day.
Please note
You may only choose each subject once. Some subjects will form double sessions and therefore must run consecutively. Any repetition outside of subjects requiring double sessions is not possible and will result in subjects being assigned by us.
Please refer to the Sixth Form Campus Subject Timetables below to ensure you choose subjects available in the correct blocks for your schools Taster Day. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school for help.
Booking your taster day
Booking for 2026 Taster Days will open From Monday 27 April at 9am and close on Monday 18 May at 5pm
The Taster Day booking form is available from your school. Please ensure you read the following booking information carefully before booking to ensure your best chances of securing the subject(s) you'd like to trial. If you have any questions your school rep will be able to help. Otherwise, please read through our FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Pick ONE Campus
- If you don't see the subject you'd like to trial on the form, you may be looking at the wrong Campus. Only courses available at your chosen Campus will be shown.
Choose your subjects
- Pick ONE subject per lesson (unless it's a double). If the same subject is chosen twice, we'll assign lessons for you so it's important you get this step right.
First come, first served
- Choose your subjects carefully - if a session is full, please pick another.
Check with staff before submitting
- Make sure everything looks right before you submit your form.
Receive your timetable
- You'll get a copy before yout Taster Day so you know exactly what to do.
Key reminders
- If you submit the form by accident. we must release the blocks you had selected and delete your initial application. Make sure you're completely happy with your choices before submitting to avoid disapointment
- Your confirmed subjects will be sent to you a week before your Taster Day
- The submitted form may not be the final choice you receive due to capacity. However, 95% of students gain their first choice
Missed your schools Taster Day assembly?
Not to worry! Whilst we're sad we missed seeing you in person, use the button below to view the slides from the assembly.
Have a question for us?
A Taster Day is your chance to experience college life before you apply. You will take part in mini lessons in subjects you are interested in, explore the campus and meet lecturers and get a feel for College life.
Taster Days are designed to give you a real feel for what studying at City of Portsmouth College is like, helping you feel more confident about your next step and start finding your brilliance.
When signing up, you will choose one Campus and then select subjects available at that location. Each Campus offers different courses, so it is important to pick the one that matches your interests.
You will usually choose two subjects at North Harbour or Highbury campuses, or up to four subjects at Sixth Form Campus. Make sure you check your choices carefully before submitting, as spaces are limited and sessions can fill up quickly.
Your Taster Day will follow a structured timetable, starting with arrival and registration before moving into your chosen subject sessions. You will have the chance to try hands on activities, ask questions and experience a different style of learning.
There will also be time for breaks, and staff will be available throughout the day to support you if you need help or are unsure about anything.
You'll be informed before your Taster Day whether uniform/non-uniform is required. If you are attending North Harbour Campus, you will be taking part in practical workshop sessions, so you must wear trousers and suitable footwear such as trainers or steel toe cap boots.
If you are not dressed appropriately for health and safety requirements, you may not be able to take part in some activities, so it is important to come prepared. Read more about each Campus and what is required.
You will receive a sign up link or QR code from your school. Once the booking form opens, you can choose your Campus and subjects. Places are first come, first served, so it is important to sign up early and check your choices before submitting.
After booking, you will receive your confirmed timetable around a week before your Taster Day so you know exactly where to go and what to expect.
Want to learn more?
Welcome Day
Interested in the next steps of the enrolment journey? Once you make an application (and you've completed your GCSEs), you'll be invited to a Welcome Day. Here'll you get loads of helpful info on what to expect from your first day of College. You can read more about Welcome Day here.
Enrolment
Enrolment takes place in the last two weeks of August. This is your last step before joining the college. You'll receive an Enrolment Passport which will guide you through the entire process so you don't miss any steps. You can read more about Enrolment here.
Learn more about our campuses
Packed full of courses and quality teaching, our campuses are fit to burst! With each Campus offering its own learning focus, we're proud of everything each location has to offer. Read more about our campuses to find out which is right for you.
Just getting started?
View our list of subjects below and find your brilliance at COPC.
