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The University of Southampton
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Experience University of Southampton Residentials

Tuesday 18th- Friday 21st of July 2023


Applications for our 2023 residential have now closed. Information about our 2024 residential will be available in the Autumn Term.

What is Experience UoS?


Our on campus residential is back for 2023. This year you can join us on campus for a 4-day, 3-night programme. Giving you the opportunity to experience the academic and social side of university life. You'll learn in an academic environment and work with students from other schools and colleges through a timetable of lectures, practical activities and a variety of fun evening social activities.

You'll get to meet our enthusiastic team of Student Ambassadors studying the courses you are aspiring to, as well as academics, researchers and alumni. These residentials are free and open to Year 12 or Level 3 (Year 1) students who meet our academic and Widening Participation eligibility criteria (see below). You'll be provided with free accommodation and meals for the duration of the residential.

We understand that travel costs can be a barrier when invited to attend a University residential. The university would therefore like to offer you the option of purchasing your train ticket on your behalf or a travel reimbursement of up to £80 for mileage costs.






Our Experience residentials are a great opportunity to get a taste of degrees offered at UoS and student life ahead of university applications.

The 4 day programme will include:

  • Access to a taster lecture and group workshop/ practical in a degree programme/ subject area
  • Experience teaching and research within a subject area
  • Receive information and guidance through a number of talks and or activities within finance, budgeting, student life
  • Alumni talk - find out where our graduates ended up after they studied at UoS
  • Opportunity to stay in student halls
  • A chance to explore our main campus
  • Social activities throughout the event to meet like minded individuals and visit the city centre
  • Ultimately aid you in your decision making for a University course

Degree programmes/ subject areas available in our 2023 residential are:




To be eligible participants must be taking relevant and required subjects in relation to the taster degree subject session chosen.

Participants must also meet at least one of the following Widening Participation criteria:

  • In the first generation of your immediate family to apply to Higher Education and you attended a school/college whose performance places it into the lowest two quintiles for average QCA points per A level student (or equivalent) (in England, Wales or Northern Ireland) as identified by the Department for Education dataset and provided to the University via UCAS. A list of schools/ colleges meeting this criteria can be found under useful downloads in the document 'Eligible schools for applications made in 2022/23'
  • Current home postcode shows that you live in an area with low levels of progression to Higher Education. (Postcodes within the lowest two (1 &2)POLAR4 young participation quintile). Postcodes can be checked for eligibility on our Postcode Checker.
  • or current home postcode falls within the lowest 20 per cent of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (Check postcode), or a member of a travelling family.
  • In receipt of a 16-19 bursary or similar grant OR received Free School Meals at any point during your school education
  • Living or grew up in Local Authority care
  • Are a Young Carer

Our Experience UoS residentials days are open to students (home UK only) currently studying in Year 12 or S5 in Scotland (or equivalent) at maintained schools or colleges in the UK.


Applications for our 2023 residential have now closed. Information about our 2024 residential will be available in the Autumn Term.


For further information on Experience UoS Event, please contact the residential co-ordinator:

Email: c.e.bolton@soton.ac.uk

“The residential made me realise what I enjoy and am interested in” Joshua

“It was amazing! I loved the balance between social activities and subject activities” Isabella

“It was an incredible experience, it was definitely one of a kind experience. It was lovely to get the feeling of day-to-day life of university” Bethany

When asked what their favourite part of the residential was students said:

“Getting to live in halls and really understand the university experience.” Nathan

“Meeting PhD students and getting a tour around a laboratory setting” Afria

“Meeting new people and the cooking activity was great fun!” Caitlin

Useful downloads

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Students taking part in boat work on R.V. Callista
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Students taking part in a tour of Highfield Campus
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Students taking part in a social activity in the city centre
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Students taking part in the cooking on a budget activity
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Students presenting their residential experiences
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