Study support

The University offers a huge range of resources and study support across all our campuses to help you make the most of your learning experience.

Whether you need guidance on coursework or help finding an obscure journal, access to the internet or language lessons, we have the technology, services and resources to ensure you get the support you need.

During term time your academic advisor will always be on hand to offer advice and guidance.

Free wireless and networked high-speed internet access is widely available across all campuses and halls of residence, and in all the libraries.

The University has five libraries.

Specialist equipment and assistive technology are available for students with a disability, specific learning difficulty or chronic medical condition. The Wessex Needs Assessment Centre (WNAC) provides specialist assessments for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), many of whom are eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA). Following assessment, students have access to ongoing support, advice and guidance.

Our Centre for Language Study offers resources and language courses for students and staff across the University. Equipped with the very latest technology, the Centre has courses and resources in a wide range of languages, including Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese and Spanish. The main Language Resources Centre offers an extensive selection of publications, self-access materials, tutorials, audio-visual learning resources, reference materials and the latest multimedia software.

Key facts

• There are around 1,700 Windows PCs in dedicated rooms on all campuses and halls of residence.
• The total library collection comprises over 1.6 million volumes, six million manuscripts and more than 8,000 current periodicals, of which 5,000 are available in electronic format. 

Teaching

Philosophy at Southampton has a reputation for teaching excellence, gaining a perfect score of 24/24 in its subject review from the Quality Assurance Agency. The review team examined a range of important teaching aspects, such as curriculum design; content and organisation; teaching, learning and assessment; student progression and achievement; student support and guidance as well as learning resources and quality management and enhancement, and decided to award the maximum score possible for every aspect. These external judgements confirm the Philosophy’s position among the best in the country.

In addition to having traditional lecture courses, we are absolutely committed to small group teaching throughout the three years of an undergraduate degree programme. We believe that the exploration of philosophy is at its best and most rewarding when pursued through dialogue and discussion, argument and exchange.

According to Professor Hans Johann Glock, External Examiner from the University of Reading: “The department offers a distinctive range of courses which are ideally suited to its unique profile of expertise. The fit between research profile and teaching is probably better than at any comparable institution that I know.”

Academic advisors

All undergraduate students are assigned a member of staff as their academic advisor, who may be approached for help with personal or academic problems. Philosophy combined honours students whose academic advisor is in their other subject have a liaison officer in Philosophy. The University requires that all students should see their academic advisor at least once a semester. Apart from these meetings, however, you should feel free to approach your advisor whenever you need help or advice. Academic advisors can help students in seeking assistance from any of the services provided by the University.

Other academic staff
You may see less of your academic advisor than of other members of staff who are more directly involved in teaching you. You may, in practice, find it more natural to turn to them for help with specific difficulties, and they will be glad to assist you in any way they can. All teaching staff hold regular 'office hours' during which students can drop in without an appointment.

SUSSED

SUSSED is a secure site which provides students, faculty and administrative staff with world-class Internet services. This is where you can check e-mail, log into the student record system self service pages, access learning materials and join the University's virtual communities.

On SUSSED you can locate useful information and resources such as the University Calendar, the Quality handbook and other education support materials.

Past exam papers

An archive of all previous examination papers going back 5 years is available on the Admin Server webpage. Please be aware though that the content of some modules does change from year to year, so some past papers might address material that hasn't been addressed in the module as taught this year. If in doubt, ask your tutor.