The University of Southampton is one of the founding members of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities.
There are five campuses in Southampton, as well as Winchester School of Art and the University of Southampton Malaysia, with more than 21,900 students currently enrolled at the university. It is a diverse and friendly institution, situated in one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on the south coast of the UK.
Students have a huge choice of excellent courses across a number of fields. Many of the qualifications are considered to be some of the best in the country. The university of Southampton focuses on innovative teaching using the latest research and technologies to help prepare students to learn about the latest research developments as they happen.
Students will be immersed in an environment enriched by research, facilities, experts and connections, allowing them to realise their full potential.
The city has some fantastic galleries, live music venues, theatres, museums and leisure facilities, all situated on the Solent, on the South coast. Students will also have access to excellent sailing and water sports activities, nearby beaches and the New Forest National Park. The university is also supporting the city’s bid to gain the title of UK City of Culture 2025.
London is a short train journey away too, while transport links are also excellent, so getting around the city is safe and simple.
The university’s SU has one of the largest ranges of clubs and societies, with over 300 to choose from. And of course, students can start their own if they can’t find one that suits them.
Overall, students will learn from academics whose research impacts some of the world’s greatest challenges – from tackling poverty to using drones to achieve justice or improving cancer survival rates.
Students are fully supported at the University of Southampton, with 24/7 student support, enabling them to make the most of their time at university.
Courses are taught in a variety of ways, intended to keep the course as interesting and dynamic as possible.
It does vary depending on the specific course that students undertake, but they could find themselves taking part in lectures, seminars, tutorials, as well as field trips, laboratory sessions, work placements and group projects. A virtual learning environment, available 24 hours a day, ensures that students can access their learning resources whenever needed.
Many of Southampton’s programmes can be customised and offer interdisciplinary modules which can help to bring in other interests and expand students’ knowledge further.
The university employs outstanding lecturers who are often leaders in their specialist field, ensuring that students are aware of the latest research developments. Assessments are carried out through presentations, coursework and exams, with a final year project or dissertation usually required.
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSEntry requirements for study at the University of Southampton vary by course, although a broad range of qualifications are accepted when the university is considering applicants.
Many students who apply for the university will come via A levels or Scottish Highers, but a wide variety of qualifications are accepted: AS levels, Advanced Highers, Welsh Baccalaureate, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, Access to HE Diplomas, BTEC’s and many European and international qualifications. Some courses will require specific subjects to have been studied previously.
On most courses, applicants with an EPQ will be made two offers: the typical offer based on three A-levels and an alternative where in exchange for an A or A* in the EPQ, the A-level requirements will be reduced by one grade. Applicants who meet either of the two offers when they receive their results will have their place at UoS confirmed.
Students who wish to attend university as an undergraduate mature student or are under 18 should get in touch with the university’s admissions team to discuss potential entry requirements based on relevant experience if they don’t have the necessary formal qualifications.
The university is committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study at UoS.
The relevant entry requirements can be found on the individual course pages on the university’s website.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONAll first-year students who make Southampton their firm or insurance choice are guaranteed a place in halls of residence (other terms and conditions apply). Students can apply for accommodation on the university’s website once they have a formal offer of study.
There are over 6,000 rooms available to students, including fully self-catered halls with communal kitchens, and part-catered accommodation where breakfast and evening meals are provided through the week including weekends. Some halls are within walking distance of the main Highfield campus, while others are closer to the city centre.
Prices start at £119.21 per week for self-catered accommodation, and all rent includes utilities, internet, contents insurance and a Unilink bus pass.
There is 24-hour support and advice available via halls of residence receptions and the Student Hub, as well as security and CCTV on all sites at all times. Assistance is also provided to help students find private accommodation if needed, particularly in the second year and beyond.
The university plans to invest more than £300 million in its infrastructure and facilities in the next decade. Currently, there are five libraries containing around three million books and journals, along with extensive IT facilities for students to make use of.
There is also a 260-seat cinema, a 1,700-capacity entertainment venue, shops, healthcare facilities and a large, well-equipped sports complex with a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, over 140 fitness stations, 20 grass and synthetic pitches, two sports halls, a martial arts studio and an indoor bouldering wall.
The university also has a number of specialist facilities for different courses, offering students the chance to get to grips with the latest technologies relevant to their field of study.
These include health science skills labs, the largest wind tunnel in any UK university for aerodynamics work, a nanofabrication centre and a brand-new Digital Humanities Hub with virtual reality technology and an immersive AV centre. Some of these facilities are used by businesses to conduct research, which demonstrates how cutting edge they are.
Find out more about the accommodations and facilities in person at the uni.
BOOK OPEN DAYWhat's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 1397 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWC Capucine Reviewed 25 Oct 23 Civil Engineering BEng (Hons) I’ve loved the campus and study spaces! The city is a great night out too. The student support services have been helpful but there are areas that could be improved. It would be nice if the gym membership was cheaper than competition in the area and the sports pass was free.... READ FULL REVIEW
J Jess Reviewed 23 Oct 23 English BA (Hons) Lecturers here are absolutely stellar, couldn't ask for a more engaging course. 4 hour wait to see the wellbeing team... not exactly... READ FULL REVIEW
Students will find lots of different support services at the University of Southampton, covering a wide range of academic and personal needs.
For example, there’s a 24/7 Wellbeing Team available to support students day and night and an Early Years Centre for students with children aged three to five months.
There is also specialist assistance for students with disabilities, mental health conditions and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Specialist practitioners work with students to consider any reasonable adjustments they might need for their studies.
Students can also find help with queries and issues regarding tuition fees, accommodation, student visas and finance at the Student Hub. Students’ Union advisers are also available to offer guidance on a range of issues, including if there are any disputes related to the course. Students can also reach out to their personal academic tutors for advice on both course-related issues such as settling in or helping with job applications.
International students will have access to a wide range of English language, study skills and other courses to help them achieve their full potential.
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEIn the Complete University Guide 2022, the University of Southampton was ranked 15th overall with 18 subject areas ranked in the top 10:
Students can find more details about rankings, both for the university as a whole, and by subject, on the University of Southampton website.
All students are automatically a member of the Students’ Union, SUSU, which is independent from the university and run by students.
The union building itself has a range of facilities, including restaurants, a vegan/vegetarian cafe, bars, shop, 260-seat cinema and advice centre. There’s also an entertainment venue, which has hosted some world-famous acts over the years.
SUSU offers plenty of exciting opportunities for students. There are over 300 clubs and societies to choose from, ranging from archery and performing arts to debating and quidditch – it’s an ideal opportunity to try something new.
There are also student media teams, including a radio station, TV station and two magazines. If students need advice, they can get it at The Advice Centre, which can help address any concerns about finance, housing, wellbeing or academic issues.
Joining a club or society whilst at university is one of the best ways to meet new people and make friends, as students will have the chance to find people with a shared interest. It also helps to strengthen a CV, especially when students’ progress to more senior positions running a club or society.
There are over 300 different student groups available at the University of Southampton representing a hugely diverse range of interests. This includes 40 different performing arts groups and over 90 sports clubs, with the opportunity for the best students to represent Southampton in inter-university competition.
Students who can’t find a club or society that they want to join are encouraged to start their own, with support of the Students’ Union. A full list of clubs and societies is available on the university’s SU website.
Southampton has been named the 3rd best place to live and work in the UK (Good Growth for Cities Index, DEMOS-PwC, 2021). It’s just 75 miles from London, with good connections to cities across the UK, as well as overseas.
But students don’t need to travel outside the city to have fun or relax – Southampton itself has plenty to offer from sports to culture, there is something for everyone. On the weekends, students might find themselves at St Marys Stadium to support national or international teams, at the Mayflower theatre for a show or soaking up an exhibition at the university’s very own John Hansard Gallery.
The campus is also within easy reach of some excellent nightlife, shopping, and places to eat, while there are many parks and places to unwind if students want to take a day off with a picnic.
Being close to the Solent, it’s also an excellent destination for water sports and sailing, with the Isle of Wight and its annual Cowes Week regatta only a short ferry trip away.
See the campus and city for yourself in person by booking an open day place.
BOOK OPEN DAYNinety-five percent of graduates are in employment or further study within six months of leaving university (Graduate Outcomes 2018/19, published in 2021).
UoS offers year in employment placements across many subject areas which gives students the chance to work in an organisation of their choice following their second year of study. Students can also work abroad depending on where the placement is based.
For short-term work experience opportunities, UoS internships are paid, university-approved roles with local and national SME’s, large corporations and public and third sector organisations. These include Rolls-Royce, the NHS, Goldman Sachs, British Airways and so on.
Lasting between two and 12 weeks, each opportunity is carefully selected by the Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise Team to give students the most exciting and valuable experience.
The university also runs a 12-month personalised development programme of intensive career support for first-generation students. Plus, an on-campus start-up accelerator, Future Worlds, and an online Career Hub which enables students and graduates access to online careers tools and 24-hour support from any location around the world.
Students can also benefit from careers fairs and employer-led workshops, for opportunities to network with top employers. There are also alumni career panel events, which give current students advice from those who have already been through the same path.
The university offers a range of financial support options for students. For example, the Ignite Programme offers bursaries, scholarships and funding options to undergraduate students from under-represented backgrounds. UoS also offer a number of non-repayable scholarships to the most promising students.
Other funding opportunities include the Southampton Bursary Scheme and Care Leaver and Estranged Student Bursaries.
Any students that progress to the university via their Access to Southampton programme may be eligible for an Access to Southampton bursary.
Some subjects offered by the university have scholarships specific to the field, and there are sports and athletics scholarships too for gifted athletes who wish to progress with a formal academic course and maintain an involvement in performance sport.
Find out more information about student funding on the university's website.
Most UK undergraduate students will pay £9,250 per year for their tuition - this is the standard tuition fee level paid at all universities in the country. There are some courses that have non-standard fees set out by the schools, which are detailed on the university’s website.
Fees for international students vary but are normally higher than the UK fees.
Tuition fees cover the cost of tuition and any examinations, as well as membership to the Students’ Union. There may be some additional charges for equipment and resources, including essential reading materials, although limited copies will be available in the university’s library.
Details of any additional standard costs will be listed on the course page on the university’s website.
Students taking a year in employment will pay 20 per cent of the annual tuition fees for their course.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTION
As well as a wide range of courses, studying at University of Southampton offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at University of Southampton.
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.
