What our students think

My ambition is to become an English teacher at secondary school level, and I really want to be as enthusiastic and passionate about English as my lecturers have been here.

Southampton is home to some great performance venues. The studios are very well equipped. The teaching has also been fantastic and I’ve found that the lecturers are always willing to help you.

It was absolutely fantastic - I loved it. It was a really good subject, really fascinating topics, it was truly excellent.

The year abroad added so much value to the degree. I went to Madrid, and worked in both start-up and corporate environments in digital marketing roles. It was a massive step forward for me in terms of my CV; I met some great people, travelled to cool places in Spain and had a great time.

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.

I looked at universities all over the country, but when I came here my gut told me that this was the place for me - and it proved right!

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.

I would definitely recommend studying a year abroad to other students, my German improved ten fold, it really is incredible how much it improves and how your confidence to use it increases.....it was, coupled with my gap year, one of the best years of my life.

I love the department. I think that we have one of the best, most enthusiastic, most cohesive departments in the country, and I think that they really show their enthusiasm for their subject.

The system of choosing modules by preference has allowed me to avoid studying subjects I don’t enjoy and specialise in areas I am really interested in or that I have not studied before

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.

There’s such a broad range of modules available to you. Southampton is such a brilliant place to live and study and the lecturers are amazing.

I loved the Philosophy department here. When you're studying here, try out modules that are new to you. Don’t be scared to speak out in seminars, and trust yourself – you know more than you think you do!

I’ll be releasing my album, gigging, selling the album and really trying to build a career doing that. I’m also planning on applying for BBC Radio apprenticeships, as it would not only be good work experience but an opportunity to meet lots of contacts.

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

Southampton is one of the few universities to offer a jazz course and as a jazz musician I was really drawn to it. There is a wide breadth of topics to choose from, allowing you to take part in a range of modules.

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.

The teaching was brilliant - James Minney was amazing in my final year. He was so enthusiastic and so passionate - someone I don't think I'll ever forget!

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.

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

I came to Southampton because of the campus, I really liked the idea of there being a community spirit – it wasn’t all spread out, whenever you walk anywhere you’re likely to see someone that you know.

I’d never studied Philosophy before, so I found it challenging to begin with, but I got much more into it as the course went on.

I was attracted to Southampton's music department by the flexibility of the course. Before I started, I wasn’t sure which area I wanted to specialise in. The set-up of the course here lets to choose which way you want to go, but you don’t have to be pigeonholed into a certain discipline straight away.

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.

You can take your interests further but also be open to trying something new. There are things that I never knew that I would love that I have really enjoyed studying.

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!

There is a very welcoming community spirit here. Southampton has a vibrant community and is a very student friendly place.

I very much enjoyed my time here. I felt that I was really accepted and welcomed. The tutors have been amazing; they are all so supportive.

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.

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 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 would absolutely recommend other people come here to study. The Union is a really welcoming place, no matter what hobby you're into, there's a place for you to go.

I have already recommended the programme to others. It’s very good academically and it’s the kind of place where you want to develop your studies.

I chose the University of Southampton because of the reputation of the Philosophy department, and I found that the library was really impressive. It just felt right for me.

The teaching at Southampton is amazing! As our course is small, the lecturers know you personally.If you come to them with a question or a problem that you’re having, they know how to approach it because they have seen you perform and know you well.

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.

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.

… the first year was made all the more easier by the fact that the 'open-door policy' of teacher support was always there when needed. With the facilities and learning resources being as good as they are, it made studying an experience that I very much enjoyed.

The teaching here has been great. Especially in languages, if I've ever had a problem I've always been able to ask someone and no matter what the issue they've always gone out of their way to help.

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

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.

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!

The IFY course has greatly helped me improve my English in all necessary skills including writing, speaking, listening and reading

I knew Southampton had a good reputation, but this course seemed a lot more flexible than in other places - I knew I wanted to study linguistics and languages but there were a lot of restrictions on courses in other Universities.

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.

The teaching is great. There is a wide variety of opportunities and insights into different aspects of music. You can learn about topics as varied as teaching, or music therapy. The lecturers are still researching into their fields, so you really get a true insight into their research.

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.

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 it’s breadth and depth at the same time that you’re looking for,as well as support, and an intensive but enjoyable university experience, then I would definitely recommend Southampton.

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