What our students think

The life of a research PhD student is very independent, you have to be organised and disciplined since, ultimately, it is yourself who dictates the pace of the investigation.

The support offered by the university stood me in good stead for my career following my studies. Since leaving I have delivered papers at several international conferences and published two books.

I have loved absolutely every minute of my degree programme. Not only has the programme allowed me to pursue a passion, it has also nurtured my own personal development, both as a ‘historian’ and as an individual.

The University of Southampton is well known for archaeology and it was an exciting prospect to be working in a world-class research environment involved in so many fantastic projects.

The postgraduate community is small but lively, with a vigorous fortnightly MPhil/PhD research group which provides an opportunity to present work-in-progress to a critical but encouraging audience.

I chose this University due to the flexibility of the course - which allows for great specialisation within your subject - and the teaching staff. I have chosen to focus on classical guitar performance and composition, and because of this I have opportunities to perform regularly and have pieces played by fellow students.

All the staff are really helpful and friendly, and are experts in their fields. Modern Languages and Linguistics focuses on seminar teaching where your input is welcomed and encouraged.

Having completed my undergraduate and MSc degrees here I enjoyed working in Archaeology and it had access to all the resources I would need for a MPhil.

The most enjoyable part of my degree is the opportunity to undertake original research with a group of people who are equally as passionate about the subject.

Linguistics is extremely interesting and a wide subject, offering a wide array of areas to explore. A thoroughly worthwhile endeavour, and one that, if you also use all the opportunities open to you to develop your transferable skills, offers good chances to find employment both within and outside of academia.

Film is particularly well represented, with the University boasting a cinema that shows a number of blockbuster films as well as independent and world cinema. There are also excellent off-campus facilities for film - a thriving independent cinema that also hosts special events and two multiplexes, so Southampton is certainly a good choice if film is your passion.

The staff are extremely approachable, always willing to give up their time and organise extra one-to-one sessions with us if we need help. I think Southampton is unique in terms of student-staff rapport, I have not encountered another university with such a level of friendliness and support.

I love the chance to shape my own learning.

I’m having to learn to express my research in a way which satisfies the demanding academic standards. But my supervisor is very supportive and I’m enjoying getting to grips with the subject. I would encourage anyone to consider taking a PhD in a subject that really interests them. It’s incredibly stimulating and very rewarding.

When the PhD is over, I’m hoping to use the skills I’ve learned through work and study in an area such as heritage consultancy.

I’m glad I chose Southampton and can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

I recently completed a six week internship at Gulf News in Dubai which I enjoyed thoroughly. I conducted interviews, attended press releases and wrote a load of articles which were published in the paper. This was great experience for me and a fabulous opportunity. Getting my name in print exceeded any expectation I had for the internship, and my University of Southampton place certainly helped secure the internship!

The lecturers at Southampton are second to none; I have an amazing instrumental teacher and lots of performance opportunities, both within and outside the course. The campus and facilities are fantastic.

For me there are three factors which have contributed to a successful and enjoyable first year at university. These are the flexibility of the course, the great staff and the variety within the degree program.

Humanities subjects are fascinating because they are so varied, and this variation means that you develop such a wide range of skills, which make you particularly desirable in the working world.

As a postgraduate student, I enjoy having a bit more flexibility in how I study, and I especially enjoy the independence I’m given to explore different avenues in my research.

The film course at Southampton provides the essential tools for anyone who wants to work in film.

When I first arrived, I had no idea what to expect. I was so happy to find myself in small seminar groups with very friendly teachers.

The academic staff are more like friends to us now. They have always been easily approachable and willing to help out. In particular, staff in French are so enthusiastic that lessons are never boring or uneventful!

The best part of the degree is the supervisions, as well as the interaction and idea-sharing with other students and staff.

For me Humanities is both intensely absorbing and rewarding.

So far I have enjoyed everything about the last four months. From the subjects I study to my accommodation.

Southampton has offered me diversity in my studies and in my involvement in societies.

My degree programme has opened plenty of fantastic opportunities I never thought of before. Gaining linguistics abilities, a trip to Mexico, taking up Italian, writing for the students' magazine, meeting amazing people from varied backgrounds... I even tried ballet! It's been a priceless experience.

Throughout the course my participation in extra-curricular societies has swayed my ambitions to television, which is strengthened by my work in film.

I think what I enjoyed the most in Southampton University was the diverse student body. Whatever your background, you will find like-minded people in Southampton.

I instantly became fond of Southampton because of the combination of professionalism and friendliness in the staff.

The UK offered me a great experience with its outstanding history and solid academic development. Southampton is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. It is a perfect place for people who are looking for an academic career.

I’m never tied down to doing something that doesn’t interest me and there’s a real focus of coming up with your own argument on a topic. If a topic fascinates you, you can go away, focus on a part of it, research it further and then start coming up with your own ideas. I love having this kind of freedom

Throughout my two years here I have found myself studying Spanish, Iranian and British history which has expanded my knowledge and awareness of current affairs. I think that it’s really rewarding when you feel as though you have a grasp on a whole period of history, that you can link to the present.

Now, three years after graduating, I have just secured my first job as a music therapist having completed a Masters in Music Therapy training course.

I love that I have the opportunity to debate philosophical issues with people who share my belief in their importance to the world.

I loved the way the campus was so close to the city - so it's really easy to get to the town and the train station - but the campus is still detached. It was also one of the few universities I visited, and I really liked it!

I love the campus buzz. Even if my lecture is off in a corner I try and go via the main concourse by the Students Union because there’s always something weird and wonderful going on there.

... it has lived up to my hopes, with excellent, informed teaching, lively discussion and the very best resources with which to work. Indeed, I have enjoyed it so much that I would love to go back and take two or three more subjects!

I enjoy the freedom I have to map out my own path in Philosophy, I also benefit from the broad base of expertise possessed by the staff from which I am able to draw on whichever path I choose

I think, the best research in the area of film studies is in the UK and the best academic centre among them all is at the University of Southampton. The decisive factor for me was that my area of interest was also shared by authoritative figures of the field making up the department’s academic staff.

Music has some fantastic lecturers, making learning fun! You study a huge range of different types of music: jazz, pop, ethnomusicology, ‘classical’, also music technology, composition and performance. Turner Sims is also an excellent venue to perform in.

I’m definitely enjoying the work and appreciate all the support I get from the staff here, it’s very motivating.

A degree in history gives you an impressive set of skills, which you can apply in any area. After graduating, I hope to work in investment banking... to this end, I have just spent the summer working as an intern in the investment management department of a private bank in London.

Knowing about the university systems both in the US and in Germany, I find studying in the UK more demanding and more rewarding. I have enjoyed tremendous support and advice by my supervisor, advisor and other members of staff, which I think I would not have received elsewhere. This has helped me grow as a person and as a researcher.

I chose the University of Southampton because it is a world class university and secondly it is ranked as number one in film studies in UK.

Through the University's Careers and Employability Service, I recently managed to secure an internship at a literary agency.

I chose to study for a PhD at Southampton because of the expertise offered in areas relevant to my topic of research, which involves exploring cultural and linguistic differences in the reception of contemporary European cinema.

No one can tell you which university is right for you, but if you want a course with flexibility and variety, if you want to be located on a beautiful campus with an active students' union and you want to feel part of a really inclusive and exciting community then look no further than Southampton

After just nine months at Southampton it already feels like home, and I feel very grateful that I have found friends who I can really identify with and can imagine staying in contact with for a very long time.

My specific area of research also means that I have close contacts with other disciplines within the University.

The course looked amazing, and there are loads of great options to choose from in your second and third year so you can do things you really enjoy. It's interesting, challenging and lots of fun, and I've really enjoyed it!

I love my degree programme! The thing I like most about it is the range of different texts which I get to read – no two modules so far have been the same and it’s not always material that I would have read for myself which makes it very interesting.

Studying at Southampton has been really enjoyable, challenging and thought provoking. The lecturers are friendly and helpful, going far beyond their duties to ensure relatively problem-free study.

This is the best place for me, working alongside inspirational staff. I’m not saying I’ll never leave, but another university would have to be pretty special to beat Southampton.

I love that we get to take a year out, and I am lucky enough to be doing a paid internship in Paris next year! The teaching is brilliant too, and tutors are always on hand and supportive and give a lot of time to you.

It’s great to be part of such a vibrant community of researchers with a real passion for archaeology.

The English department are really friendly, helpful and passionate about their fields of interest. As a course rep last year I was a part of board of school meetings where it became clear how focused the staff are in constantly improving English and tackling problems that arise. You always feel that there is someone you can talk to if you have any questions, and tutors are always prompt in replying to emails!

If you want to work in a small but diverse faculty alongside people conducting innovative research, there are few places that can rival Southampton.

Southampton is very highly regarded and respected for modern languages and the staff are among the best.

My course is very interesting and challenging. All the lecturers are very helpful and friendly.