Student and Academic Administration

The Student and Academic Administration Department (SAAD) began life as a Department in April 2008. Our aim is to develop our practice and reputation in managing services for students and staff working collaboratively with our partners distributed across the University and the wider educational community. We aim to be a central point of contact for professional expertise and advice in stages of the Student Life Cycle and Programme Administration. Our approach will be collaborative, innovative and accountable. As a Department we have worked to develop a Vision and Mission statement based on the Values and Behaviours to which we are committed. We have developed approaches to Leadership and Excellence that we will strive to develop. Fuller information about our approaches can be found on this website.

The UK Student Recruitment and Outreach Team delivers the University's educational liaison activities, engaging with potential students locally, regionally and nationally. The team works with schools and colleges, and with local communities, to encourage potential learners to consider progression to higher education in general and specifically to the University of Southampton.

The Student and Academic Administration (SAA) coordinates the University's admissions activities working in partnership with Faculties to provide a high quality service to our applicants. We can provide expert advice regarding all aspects of UCAS and direct admissions.

The Timetabling pages provide answers to questions about timetables and timetabling support within the University. The Curriculum and Timetabling Team provides ad hoc room booking for University students and staff within Common Learning Spaces; relevant information can be found on these pages.

Information for students and staff to support option choice through the Student Records System Self Service pages. For students, these pages provide details of open periods, where to find module information across the University and how to check whether a module will fit individual timetables. For staff, information is provided about the system and the processes to support managing the option choice system.

The Quality, Standards and Accreditation (QSA) Team provides specialist knowledge and understanding of the policies, processes and procedures for the assurance of a high quality education for students at the University.

Our aim is to help students and staff with any administration relating to the three main exam periods (Semester 1, Semester 2 and re-sits). Our role includes producing and publishing the exam timetable, making arrangements for students with additional exam requirements and arranging exam invigilation. We can also facilitate exam paper printing for Faculties by arrangement.

An award is the name given to the process by which a student who has successfully completed his / her studies receives his / her qualification. There are ten award dates for each academic year. Click here for an overview of the processes for each award date. This section also holds details about your certificate.

The Graduation Office is responsible for all aspects of organising the University's graduation ceremonies which are held annually in July and December. Our aim is to provide a unique and memorable celebration that a graduand's family and friends can attend as a fitting finale to their hard work and dedication.

The Student Administration workstream ensures that we collect and store accurate personal data about students, accurate programme and module data, changes in students' registration (suspension / withdrawals) and assessment and progression data.

We liaise with the Student Loans Company to ensure that students receive their loan payments by providing information about our programmes and their term dates, confirming that students are in attendance at the University and talking to the Student Loans Company on behalf of students to resolve any problems with their loan payments.

These pages provide detailed information and guidance to students and staff submitting and dealing with Academic Appeals and Student Complaints.