Each year, we create prospectuses to share our courses, and showcase all the incredible things we do at Southampton. This year, all 6 covers of our undergraduate prospectus feature the eye of a current student. Reflected back in each eye is their time at Southampton, and an opportunity for you to see what life could be like when you study here.
Being part of the prospectus
We invited students from across all years of study to have their eyes photographed up close, so we could represent the eyes of our student community. Eventually, we selected six students – Sofia, Ee, Nyasha, Emily, Sharon, and Sichen – to feature on the prospectus covers.
We then overlayed a reflection in each eye: a rocket propulsion engine; AI Torch code; a group of friends; the buildings on campus; handwritten algebra code; and an open book from the Hartley Library Special Collections.
We took this approach to show what it’s like to be a student at Southampton, and to help you imagine your journey with us.
I think it’s a really creative concept. It reflects the diversity of the University, not just in terms of different eye colours and backgrounds, but also in the unique experiences each student has.
Ee Leong, mechanical engineering student
"It was quite exciting to be involved in the making of the cover of the prospectus," says neuroscience student Sofia Maier. "I was able to do it with a friend of mine and it was a great experience.
“I thought it was a great way to portray what it is like to look into all the different course possibilities offered by the University."
Ee, a mechanical engineering student, believes that everyone sees and experiences Southampton differently, and there's a story behind every pair of eyes.
They add: "I felt incredibly lucky to be chosen. It feels like a special way to mark the end of my four years studying engineering here, something meaningful to look back on before graduating."
Student life
Being a Southampton student means something different to each person. The combination of your personality, course and experience at university really shapes your time with us, but there’s always one constant – you’re a welcome and large part of the university community.
Ee says: “To me, being a Southampton student means being part of a community that pushes you to grow, academically, socially, and personally. It’s about discovering who you are while being surrounded by support, opportunity, and challenge.”
Being a Southampton student to me means having endless possibilities, and great professors and experts that will lead me and advise me in the way I want my career path to go.
Sofia Maier, neuroscience student
Making the most of university
Sometimes your time at university can go by so fast. One moment you’re joining for Freshers, the next you’re wearing your graduation gown. But there are always those standout moments we’d love to capture and see again.
“As an engineering student, one standout moment would be seeing our final group project fully assembled for the first time," recalls Ee. "It was a powerful moment that reminded me of how far I’d come and how much I’d grown, both technically and personally.”
For Sofia, it was seeing the laboratory facilities at the University that would be specific to their course. "I would’ve loved to see what it would look and feel like to work as a neuroscientist after graduation.”
One final piece of advice
Remembering their experiences with us, Sofia and Ee had some thoughts and advice for future students.
“I would advise them to make the most out of the professors on their course and the information that is additional to lectures regarding their future," says Sofia. "As I have seen that the biggest mistake that some students make is to go through university without making use of any of the resources that are offered by the great leaders and professionals that supervise the modules and courses at the University of Southampton.”
Don’t be afraid to try something new or step out of your comfort zone. University is the perfect time to explore different paths, learn new things, and grow in unexpected ways.
Ee, mechanical engineering student
There are so many stories at university – what will be yours?
Interested in getting your own copy of the undergraduate prospectus? Come to one of our University open days, see the campuses in person, and pick up the eye that best fits your journey. You can also order a digital or physical copy of our prospectus.