Welcome to the University of Southampton
Our Virtual Open Day is your chance to discover more about studying at Southampton and get a feel for student life – from any web-enabled device in the world. You can learn about some of our cutting-edge facilities and resources, from major historical archives to the very latest research technology. Find out how we can help you prepare for a successful future through initiatives such as our unique Graduate Passport scheme, internships and industry placements.
By the end of the tour you'll have a feel for life at Southampton, along with a wealth of inside information from our students and staff.
Student life
The University is a friendly and welcoming place, and student life on campus is vibrant and dynamic. As part of our global community, you'll have opportunities to work, live and socialise with students from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We have six campuses in all - four in Southampton, one in Winchester and our new Malaysian branch campus.
We provide a wealth of social and leisure activities for students, staff and members of the public - including cafes, restaurants, bars, shop, medical centres, hair and beauty salon, banks, theatre, concert hall, art gallery, cinema, nightclub and great sporting facilities.
University is an ideal place to try something new. Through our Students' Union you can take part in a whole host of clubs and societies, from snowboarding and mountain biking to photography and philosophy. We actively support and promote the arts and our venues have won national and international recognition.
Your hall of residence is also a great place to get involved with activities on campus. The Junior Common Room (JCR) committees, made up of students who are current or former residents of your halls, organise halls sports teams and a calendar of social activities to help you meet new people and settle into university life.
Your course
As one of the leading research universities in the UK, we will focus on your talent and give you the chance to personalise your learning, providing you with opportunities to study subjects not directly linked to your degree.
From the outset, you will be taught by academics working at the forefront of their fields and learn about world-leading research as it takes place, giving you the kind of education that will put you among the most sought-after graduates.
Depending on your chosen programme you could experience a wide range of innovative learning methods such as field trips, laboratory study, excavations, private and public sector placements, and group projects, all of which are supported by virtual learning environments.
You will be challenged intellectually and encouraged to develop your ability to work and learn independently. Through group project work you will gain the key transferable skills – such as communication, teamwork and project management – that are vital for success in today's competitive global employment market.
Your academic qualifications are crucial; however, it is often the skills you develop alongside your studies that give you that competitive edge when looking for a job. Our students have excellent opportunities to take up paid placements with leading companies which are regularly seeking the skills and expertise provided by Southampton degrees.
The city of Southampton
Steeped in history and culture, Southampton is one of southern England's top leisure and cultural destinations. The University is located close to the city centre and forms an integral part of this thriving, multicultural city. You'll find restaurants, cafés, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, sports facilities, internationally acclaimed arts venues and great shopping – all on your doorstep.
Southampton's parks make it the greenest city in southern England. The University borders Southampton Common, a protected site with 326 acres of open space and woodland. The New Forest National Park is close by, and the nearby Isle of Wight hosts Skandia Cowes Week - the largest international sailing regatta in the world.
It was from Southampton that Henry V set sail for Agincourt in 1415. The Pilgrim Fathers left from here in 1620 on their journey to the New World, and the ill-fated Titanic sailed from Southampton in 1912. Our rich aviation heritage includes the Spitfire - the fighter aircraft that won the Battle of Britain – which was developed locally during the 1930s.
Today, Southampton is one of the biggest commercial ports in Europe, known as the home of the giant cruise liners Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. Its coastal location offers a vast range of opportunities for sport and leisure, with waterfront marinas and a focus on water sports, sailing and ocean racing. The city hosts the largest on-water boat show in Europe – the annual Southampton Boat Show.
England's ancient capital, Winchester, lies just 12 miles north and is home to the University's Winchester School of Art. Winchester is best known for its 11th century cathedral and the Great Hall, which houses the Round Table of King Arthur. The city's rich cultural heritage is complemented by a lively atmosphere and a wide variety of pubs and restaurants, museums, theatres and galleries.
An international welcome
The University has a thriving international community. In 2011/12 our student body included over 5,000 EU and international students from more than 130 countries.
Staff from our International Office attend education exhibitions around the world and make regular visits overseas. We provide advice and information to anyone who is considering applying to Southampton. Our aim is to make joining the University as simple as possible.
We offer a number of programmes specifically designed to meet the needs of international students. These include foundation programmes, English language support, study abroad and exchange opportunities and more.
We're used to dealing with qualifications from around the world. Undergraduate students (studying for a bachelor's degree) need to apply through UCAS and can find details about programme and entry requirements on our website. If you need any advice, you can contact our International Office or one of our many overseas representatives. Your local British Council office will also be able to offer advice about applying. For most of our courses we require an English Language IELTS level of 6.5 or equivalent, achieved in the past two years.
Living and studying in a different country has its own unique challenges. We have a network of professional services and advisors in place to ensure that your time at Southampton is as productive and stress-free as possible. Our Visa Guidance Team can offer advice in immigration and visa renewals.
Campus tours
We have six campuses in all - four in Southampton, one in Winchester and our new Malaysian Campus in EduCity@Iskandar.
The University's main Highfield Campus is set in pleasantly landscaped surroundings, a short bus ride from the city centre. Here you will find new and refurbished student facilities, such as the Jubilee Sports Centre and Students' Union, the Hartley Library, a range of cafés and restaurants, a bookshop, a post office and four major banks.
Highfield Campus hosts three internationally celebrated arts venues. The Nuffield Theatre runs full programmes of classics, revivals, new theatre and studio performances. Turner Sims Concert Hall hosts leading musicians from the worlds of classical, jazz, folk and world music. The John Hansard Gallery has an international reputation for exciting and innovative shows by leading British and international artists.
A short walk from Highfield is Avenue Campus, which provides a purpose built environment for the Faculty of Humanities. It also has its own library, lecture theatres and catering facilities. The National Oceanography Centre Southampton is our waterfront campus, situated in the south of the city on the dockside. It is one of the world's leading research centres for the study of ocean and earth sciences. Southampton General Hospital is one of the country's leading teaching hospitals and the base for the University's Faculty of Medicine.
Winchester School of Art is based in the historic city of Winchester, a short journey by train or bus. Its facilities include specialist art and design studios, workshops, a library with special collections, The Winchester Gallery and Students' Union. Our new Malaysian Campus opened in October 2012 and offers undergraduate degrees in engineering. Teaching is split between our campuses in the UK and Malaysia.
Accommodation
With first-class facilities and a guaranteed offer of a place in halls in the first year, our accommodation is extremely popular. We have more than 5,000 places in over 20 halls, providing a variety of living arrangements that all offer excellent value for money. Our halls vary in size, character and facilities, but they all provide high-quality accommodation in a safe, diverse, inclusive environment.
Our self-catered halls have well-equipped communal kitchens. Or you can opt for part-catered accommodation and have breakfast and evening meals provided throughout the week, plus some meals at weekends. We can cater for most dietary requirements by prior arrangement.
Our accommodation is mostly mixed gender and students generally share facilities; however, we can offer single-sex accommodation on request. We provide a range of specially adapted accommodation for disabled students and we work closely with our Enabling Services to enhance and extend our facilities.
Utility bills and internet are included in all halls of residence fees. For students studying and living in halls in Southampton, a uni-link bus pass is also included. There are laundry facilities at each halls of residence site, with food shops and local amenities close by. All our halls are within easy reach of campus sites, either on foot, by bike or, in Southampton, through our uni-link bus service.
Organised social and sporting events by the Junior Common Room (JCR) committee create a sense of community in every hall. You can enjoy a wide range of amenities, which can include sports facilities, computer rooms, TV and games rooms and bars. All our halls offer secure entry to buildings, 24-hour security on all sites, a Resident Support Service, plus smoke detection equipment and alarms.
Finance
Your tuition fee will usually cover compulsory course costs, such as field trips and laboratory clothing, however a contribution may be necessary towards certain elements. For 2012/13, the University has set the tuition fee at £9,000. We offer generous fee waivers and bursaries for eligible students. In addition, we offer the Southampton Entitlement – a £300 annual credit – to all undergraduate students to spend on sports, the arts, public transport and a host of other services.
We have a long history of attracting the best students from all backgrounds and continue to review and adjust the range of student support, including bursaries, in consultation with our students to minimise concerns about the cost of coming to university. We will also continue to deliver a significant programme of outreach and student recruitment to encourage the broadest range of students to apply to the University of Southampton.
Fees for international and Channel Islands/Isle of Man students differ from those charged to UK/EU students. Details of all our fees can be found on our website.
The cost of living in Southampton is low compared to many cities. Our halls of residence offer excellent value for money, with a uni-link bus pass included in the weekly cost. Other costs to consider include food, phone calls, utility bills, transport, laundry, socialising and personal expenditure.
Your career
Southampton is a career-focused university for future leaders. We offer more than just a traditional learning environment, with access to virtual learning 24 hours a day, and invest heavily in facilities for our students.
To help you become a future leader, we offer a range of opportunities outside your course to enrich your career prospects and help you gain transferable skills and fund your studies. Our Temp Bank can help you find part-time work within the University. There is a wide range of part-time positions and summer internships available. Our internship opportunities range from laboratory research projects to placements in our professional services, such as finance or communications and marketing. Additionally our Employer Vacancy Portal features several hundred jobs for term time, summer time and graduate work with employers across all sectors.
Joining our Student Ambassador Scheme will give you the chance to work in a school, helping young people make informed choices about going to university. You will develop your communication skills and work in a range of settings, increasing your employability. You will also be paid for your time.
Volunteering will put you one step ahead of other graduates: according to a recent survey, 70 per cent of employers believe that graduates that have volunteered have a higher earning potential and a better chance of promotion (TimeBank survey, 2009).
Our excellent relationships with business and industry enable us to give you a career-focused student experience. Southampton graduates are highly rated by leading employers, both in the UK and internationally, with many specifically targeting our students for recruitment. Our graduates have entered a range of organisations including Santander, Microsoft, KPMG, JP Morgan, Centrica, Financial Times, Lego and the London Film School. All 12 Formula One teams employ Southampton graduates.
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