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Welcome

Welcome to the University of Southampton

Welcome

Before you arrive

It’s almost time for you to begin your studies at the University of Southampton and we can’t wait to welcome you!

This site is designed to make it as easy as possible for you to carry out the important tasks that must be completed before you start your studies. Please make sure you follow these steps before you arrive, as some tasks are essential for you to be able to register as a student with us.

New information for academic year 2020/21

COVID-19 saliva testing programme

Our groundbreaking saliva testing programme is helping to keep cases of COVID-19 low in our community. All of our students are invited to take a weekly saliva test for COVID-19. The test is quick, simple and can be taken in the comfort of your own accommodation. Sign up today and more information will be sent to your term time address or halls of residence reception.

Key dates for the academic year 2020/21 can be found here.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact the University.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Finalise your accommodation

Finalise your accommodation

Organising and confirming your accommodation before you arrive, and knowing what to do when you get here will ensure that you get off to the best start. It is important that you read this information carefully and ensure you have completed each step that applies to you before you continue.

Finalise your accommodation

If you have applied before 6 November you should already have received an offer. If you have missed this date, we still welcome your application for accommodation. We will always make offers to students if we have suitable availability

Once we make you an offer, you will receive an email advising you to log in to your accommodation account to view and accept the offer. If you do not receive an email, please ensure you log in to the accommodation portal and check the status of your accommodation application. If you are a student who needs to quarantine, you will receive a separate contract for your quarantine accommodation. 

Please be aware the accommodation offer will have a deadline that you need to accept it by. This is why it is important that you check your accommodation account regularly.

Our Student Support Hub are available to support you through the accommodation process. They can be contacted via phone, email and online chat and are open weekdays 9:00-17:00.

If you are interested in applying for University Accommodation, apply here.

  • Got a quick question? Use our online chat facility to contact one of our Accommodation Advisors
  • Email us. Don’t forget to include your student ID number in your email

Students who live at home

If you plan to live at home whilst you’re studying with us then you’ll find a range of useful information and advice for those who live locally or commute here.

Students starting your studies at another time of year

We may be able to offer accommodation for part of the academic year, although this will be subject to availability. If you would like to be considered for Halls of Residence accommodation you will need to apply for accommodation in the current year (the application will open as soon as there is availability in halls).

Apply now for a place in University Accommodation.

Private rented accommodation

As an alternative to Halls of Residence, both Southampton and Winchester offer a wide range of private rented accommodation and there is support available to find it at whatever time of year you are starting your studies.

We are a core partner in the Southampton Accreditation Scheme for Student Housing (SASSH). The SASSH website only advertises housing where the landlord has agreed that their property complies with SASSH safety and quality standards. There are also message boards where students can communicate with each other to advertise or look for accommodation.

The Students' Union also has its own letting agency to help you find private rented accommodation in Southampton or Winchester. The agency is designed to ensure students get the best possible standard of accommodation.

Set up your IT account

Before you arrive, you must set up your new University computing and email account. You can set up your account from any computer with an internet connection. You will be asked to provide:

  • your student ID number (you can find this in your welcome email from the University, original offer letter contacting your student office)
  • your family name
  • your date of birth

Please note: Office 365 is available to download for free to all University of Southampton students, staff and PGRs. You can find out more about downloading the software here: Office 365

During the process you will be given an IT account username and you will be asked to choose a password. It is very important to remember both your username and password so you can enrol and access other University services. Please make sure you:

  • write down your username
  • choose a password that you will remember and that will be easy to type on a UK keyboard. 

During this part of the process you will be asked to set some security questions and answers.  It is important that you select an appropriate question, and provide an appropriate answer, as these questions will be used to verify your identity in the future should you forget your password, or allow it to expire.   

Subscribe

Visit our self-service area to subscribe. Our helpful video will take you through each step in the process.

Click here to get started

Once you have set up your University IT account, it is very important that you check your University email account regularly. The University will send important information to you using this email address, for example, information about your course, fees and accommodation. Once you have created your IT account, please be aware that it can take up to 24 hours for all systems and services to become available to you.

Prepare your Finances

Setting up a Bank Account

We are asking that payments on campus are cashless to help keep our community safe. You should therefore make sure you have a bank account set up, if possible, before you arrive. Many banks have changed the application process for this year and will accept applications from international students before arrival.

Google Pay and Apple Pay are great ways to keep cashless too, make sure you have set these up on your devices. If you are travelling to the UK to study we recommend setting this up from your home country and checking it works before you travel.

Paying Your Fees

Students starting your studies from January 2021

Postgraduate research students commencing studies later than 1 November 2020 will be charged tuition fees pro rata for the first year. Tuition fees are due in full within 7 days of the start of their course but some payment plans are also available as listed below:   

  • PGR students starting between 1 November 2020 and 1 January 2021 can pay in three payments of 34% upon enrolment, 33% on 4 January 2021 and 33% on 19 April 2021.    
  • PGR students starting from 1 January 2021 to 19 April 2021 can pay in two equal instalments 50% upon enrolment & 50% on 19 April 2021.   
  • PGR students starting after 19 April 2021 should make full payment upon enrolment.

Taught programmes starting in semester 2

Students can choose to pay fees in three instalments - 34% by 1 February 2021, 33% by 1 April 2021 and the remaining balance by 1 May 2021. A full year’s tuition fee is charged and payable every year of all taught courses.

Studying on a module-by-module basis
You will need to pay for each module before it begins.

Students starting your studies in September

Tuition fees are due in full by 28 September 2020. Self-funded students can choose to pay your fees in three instalments - 34% by 28 September 2020, 33% by 4 January 2021 and the remaining balance by 19 April 2021. Payment instalments is not available to sponsors,

We strongly recommend that students pay fees online via our secure web payments facility. Alternatively all students can pay via our bank transfer system. This system allows you to pay in your local currency from your home bank account, including UK students paying in GBP.

If you are receiving Student Finance

If you are a UK or EU student who has applied for a tuition loan, or if you are on an exchange programme, you must ensure that your loan has been approved and that you have submitted all relevant documents prior to arrival. This will allow Student Finance to pay your fees automatically once you have completed your enrolment at the University.  

EU/International Students  

If you are not sure which fees you should be paying, please check your fee status by contacting feesclassification@soton.ac.uk.

If you have a sponsor 

If a sponsor such as a research council, employer, or foreign embassy/government will be paying for all or part of your tuition fees, please fill in a copy of the fees sponsorship form and email it to sponfee@southampton.ac.uk along with a copy of your official letter of sponsorship. Please note that if you fail to provide full sponsorship details by 1 October 2020, you will be held responsible for paying the full fee. Payment by instalments is not available to sponsors.

 

Useful Downloads

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Enrol

Now that you have set up your IT account, you should enrol online via the Student Enrolment website. If you have only just set up your University IT account, remember that you may need to wait between 15 – 30 minutes before the system will allow you to enrol.

What you will need

To log in, you will need your University username and the password you chose when you set up your IT account. You will also need the following information: 

  • your student ID number (you can find this in your welcome email from the University, original offer letter or by contacting your student office)
  • your current permanent address 
  • your emergency contact details

Additional information

You will also be asked for the following details, but these are not essential to enrol – you can add them to your online student record at a later date: 

  • your term time telephone number in the UK 
  • your mobile telephone number 
  • the name and address of your doctor 
  • information on sponsors (if your tuition fees are not being paid by you or your family) 

As part of enrolment we will also require you to answer a series of questions set by the UK Government for statistical purposes.

Student at computer

Ready to enrol?

Enrolment should take about 15 minutes.

Enrol now

Apply for your ID card

  • We ask that those of you who are not studying on specific courses (Medicine, Health Sciences and PGCEs) do not submit an order for an ID card unless you are due to arrive in Southampton or Winchester.
  • Please be advised that you will not require an ID card unless you are studying on campus and need access to University buildings and facilities.

All students will be provided with a digital version of their ID card automatically so if you will not be studying on campus you will only require the digital version. The digital version of your ID card can be downloaded to your smartphone via the MySouthampton app once you have fully enrolled for this academic year.

If you are not studying on one of the above courses and believe you require an ID card, please contact ssc@soton.ac.uk and a member of the Student Services team will advise you.

 

Click here to apply

Find your Faculty Hub

Your Faculty Student Hub is an online platform which provides you with information about how to connect to life at the University of Southampton. Click on the link below to access the student hub for your faculty and complete the '2021/21 - Your Welcome Induction Course'. This has been designed to help you prepare for studying on your programme and includes:

  • an introduction to key people
  • support in your Faculty
  • and how to access your teaching and learning here at the University of Southampton.

Please complete the Welcome 2020/21 course to ensure you are prepared for your new academic adventure.


Connect to your Hub:  

Faculty of Arts and HumanitiesFaculty of Engineering and Physical SciencesFaculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Faculty of MedicineFaculty of Social Sciences

Getting to the University

All students starting studies from January 2021

As a result of new UK Government guidance, and the ongoing challenges that the pandemic has created, we have changed our previous plans regarding the delivery of in-person on-campus teaching. This means that for the vast majority of courses, all teaching and assessment will be entirely online until at least 19 March 2021, which is the end of our second term. Our plan at the moment is that students on these courses will be able to continue their studies in-person at the University when our next term begins on 12 April 2021.

It is essential that even if you are starting your studies online, you complete this form as soon as possible so that we can best support you. It is especially important if you are intending to travel to the University and are staying in our halls of residences, please make sure you complete the form.

Each Faculty Office will need to assess the impact of your arrival date on your studies. They will be in touch as soon as they have the outcome, however this may take a few days, so we thank you in advance for your patience.

To complete this form, you will need to have enrolled, which you can do so by completing step 4 on this website. If you haven’t yet done this, please do so and then return to this page to fill in the form.

Students currently outside the UK

We are aware that the availability of flights continues to be affected for students travelling from overseas. We will be constantly reviewing the situation and will provide timely updates as circumstances change; and will give you good notice so that you can make plans to travel to the UK during our Easter break.

If you have already begun to travel to the University or have pre-booked travel that is non-adjustable, we have lots of support available for you including our Meet and Greet service, accommodation, and will enrol you in our COVID-19 saliva testing programme upon arrival.

If you have not yet booked flights or are able to change your travel plans, the Government guidance is that you should stay at home for now and commence your studies online.

 

 

Getting to the University

Meet and Greet Service

This service is only for newly arriving international students.

We are pleased to provide a free (no cost) Meet and Greet Airport Collection Service to transfer you to either your University or private rented accommodation. Please note, we are currently only offering this service from London Heathrow or Southampton International airports.

This service is available on any day you choose to arrive in the UK. There are no set dates or times. We will plan the Meet and Greet service around your flight arrival time, and you will be met at London Heathrow by our friendly Meet and Greet representative.

To offer this service, we need to book your Meet and Greet Airport Collection Service in advance. Please confirm your travel arrangements with us as early as possible and no later than 72 hours before your flight.

Complete the form to sign up for our Meet and Greet Airport Collection Service.

If you are arriving at Southampton Airport, please email the Meet and Greet Team on meetandgreet@soton.ac.uk.  

Making Your Own Way

Alternative ways of reaching your accommodation

You should only use public transport (i.e. coach or train) if you have no other option. Wherever possible, please use our Meet and Greet service or book a private taxi. For all types of transport, please be prepared as face coverings are mandatory.

By Coach from London Heathrow

  • You can take a National Express coach at set times between 08:00-21:00 to Southampton Coach station. If you wish to take a taxi afterwards onto your accommodation, the coach station has a taxi rank outside or you could pre-book a taxi to collect you from the coach.
  • Journey Time between 1 hour 55 minutes – 4 hrs 20 minutes depending on time of day. 
  • Cost approximately: Between £15.80 - £23.60 depending on which time and terminal you are departing from. 
  • Radio Taxis is a trusted partner of the University and can be contacted on 02380 666 666.

By Train from London Heathrow

You can take the train from Heathrow directly to Southampton Central Station. Train times run between 05:12-23:57.

  • Journey time: Between 2 hours - 2 hours and 40 minutes depending on time of day
  • Average cost: £71.10 (You may be able to find a better fare if you book in advance). You can view timetables and book tickets on the National Rail website.
  • Radio Taxis is a trusted partner of the University and can be contacted on 02380 666 666. 

    Alternatively, the Unilink Bus also has a bus stop directly outside the station which can connect you to your University halls of residence within Southampton, a single ticket will cost £2.20 and buses run regularly throughout the day.

By Taxi from London Heathrow or Southampton Airport

  • You may decide to pay a little more and take a taxi to your accommodation. We strongly advise you to book a taxi before you arrive, as this is cheaper than taking a public taxi from the taxi rank.
  • Cost: From London Heathrow approximately £125 (a car for one, two or three students plus luggage) to £145 (a minibus for up to eight students plus luggage). From Southampton International, approximately £8 
  • Journey time: London Heathrow, 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Southampton International, 10 - 30 minutes 
  • Pre-booking a taxi ensures that you will be met in the Terminal Arrivals hall. 
  • Radio Taxis is a trusted partner of the University and can be contacted on +44 (0)2380 666 666. 
  • It is best to book a taxi between 3 and 10 days before you fly. Make sure you give the company all the details of your arrival:
    • The name of the airport you are flying in to
    • The terminal you are arriving at
    • Your flight number
    • The date and time of your arrival
    • Your full name
    • Your mobile phone number
    • Do not forget to notify the company of any changes to your travel arrangements

 

Before you travel

We recommend that before you travel you refer to the UK Government guidelines for the latest information and guidance. Currently, all travellers including British nationals arriving in the UK are required to self-isolate for a period of 10 days, complete a passenger locator form 48 hours prior to travel and must provide evidence of an approved negative Covid-19 test taken within the three days prior to departure.

As of Monday 15 February 2021, this testing requirement has been further extended. All travellers must now also get two coronavirus tests after arriving in England – these additional tests must be booked before you travel.

There is also mandatory government-approved hotel quarantine for travellers from ‘red list countries’ now in force. Those with Tier 4 or Student visas can still travel to the UK, even if they are currently located in one of the listed countries. But we ask that you consider whether this is absolutely necessary at this time. There is no option to opt-out or quarantine in an alternative location if you have travelled from one of the countries on this list. If you do travel, you must adhere to UK Government requirements for hotel quarantine including booking and paying for this service in advance.

  • It is your previous location, i.e. where you have been located for the 10 days prior to travelling to the UK, that is of importance when considering whether you are required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine, or can do this in a private residence or our university accommodation. The rules are not the same for every country so please ensure you check the list thoroughly and follow the guidance provided. Anyone in breach of these requirements could face significant penalty fines and be refused entry to the UK.

Supporting your self isolation

If you are planning on living in University accommodation and do not need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel, you will self-isolate in your term-time accommodation, so will not need to move at the end of the 10 days. 

To help you settle in, you will be provided with a bedding and kitchen utensil pack for you to use as well as a welcome food parcel which will get you through your first 72 hours - these are provided free of charge. 

Our halls teams will ensure you can access continued food deliveries, post and parcels and other essentials you may need during your quarantine period. You will receive full instructions on arriving at your Halls of Residence. 

If you need more advice about the service please email the Meet and Greet Team at meetandgreet@soton.ac.uk for further guidance.

Student Arrivals Form
Frequently asked questions

Do you need a visa?

Do you need a visa?

If you are not a British or Irish citizen, you may need immigration permission to study in the UK. Please visit the UK goverment's website to check if you need a visa.

There are many visa categories on which you are allowed to study without switching to a general student visa. If you already have an immigration status which you think allows study in the UK but are unsure, please contact the VISAS team as soon as possible.

Getting a visa can take a long time, so it is important to apply in good time. You can apply for a Student visa up to six months before your programme start date if you are applying for a visa from your home country.

If you haven’t already applied, find out whether you need a visa and see our guidance on the application process. 

For further information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) for students with a Student visa, please see our visa guidance page.

How to apply

Find out more about applying for a visa to study at Southampton

If you apply for a Student visa from outside the UK for a course longer than 6 months:

You will collect your visa for the full length of your stay when you arrive in the UK. The visa you collect when you arrive is called a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit).Your BRP will replace the entry visa in your passport for the length of your programme of study.    

When you apply for your visa, you can choose to collect your BRP  from the University of Southampton; to do this you must enter our alternative collection location code.  You will also have the option to collect your BRP (visa) from a Post Office. 

We recommend that you choose the option to collect your BRP from the University. 

The Alternative Collection Location Code for the University of Southampton is:  2HE382 
Address details: 
University of Southampton 
VISAS Team 
(M23) 
University Road 
Southampton 
SO17 1BJ 
 
You will need your visa to register at the University of Southampton, as UK Visas and Immigration requires the University to check and record evidence of right to study in the UK.
 
If you have a visa, entry stamp or have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK then you will need to attend International Registration.  

If you have applied to extend your visa inside the UK

If you have applied for a visa or other immigration permission to remain in the UK but have not received a decision, you must bring proof of application to International registration.  

Collecting your BRP card

If you have chosen to collect your BRP from the University, you will receive your BRP during your international registration appointment. 
 
If you have chosen to collect your BRP from a Post Office in the UK, you must collect your BRP before you attend International Registration and bring your BRP and passport to your appointment.

Prepare for registration

What is International Registration

International registration is currently suspended

UK Visas and Immigration requires the University to check and record evidence of right to study in the UK.

 

 

Important information about collecting your BRP

You would normally collect your BRP at your International Registration appointment but in accordance with UK government guidelines, we have suspended this service during the current lockdown.

Government guidance regarding collecting your BRP is available on the Gov.uk website.

"Collect your BRP once you’re in the UK. You must usually do this before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

If your Post Office branch is closed because of COVID-19, your BRP will be stored safely until it reopens.

Similarly, if you have chosen to collect your BRP from the University, it will be stored safely until we reopen International Registration.

Additional government guidance regarding the current situation is available here.

When you arrive in the UK, you will not be penalised for being unable to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) while coronavirus measures are in place."

If you believe you have an urgent need to collect your BRP, please email visa@soton.ac.uk with the reason why and we will discuss your case. 

When it is safe to do so, we will contact you regarding booking an International Registration appointment. If you have already travelled to the UK please submit your right to study documents so that we can undertake some initial checks. 

  • Follow the Banner link and log in  
  • Click View Action Items  
  • Follow the instructions for Right to Study Check 
  • Upload the relevant documents. 

I am a UK or Republic of Ireland national

Although you will not need to attend International Registration, you will need to submit proof of your identity.

  • Follow the Banner link and log in
  • Click View Action Items
  • Follow the instructions for Identity Check
  • Upload two forms of ID

 

All other nationalities

You will need to attend International Registration.

What you will need to bring to International Registration 

1. Immigration permission 

Passport  and
  • BRP; or 
  • BRC; or 
  • BRP collection letter showing University of Southampton address; or 
  • Vignette or entry stamp for full length of stay in the UK; or 
  • visa application summary AND document checklist (generate these by logging into your visa application on GOV.UK) AND evidence of most recent immigration permission; or 
  • Evidence of exemption from immigration control 
Or if you have a pending asylum application:  Application Registration Card  and

BAIL 201 letter

2. Your term-time address 


3. For students on a Student/Tier 4 visa: original qualifications listed in evidence used to obtain offer section of your CAS statement 

If you have chosen to collect your BRP from the Post Office please ensure you are able to collect your BRP before your International Registration appointment time. Click here for a map with the location of Portswood Post Office. 
 
If you do not bring the documents listed above, you will not be able to register and will not be able to start your studies at Southampton. 

What will happen at your appointment? 

At arrival   At the start of your appointment we will check that you have all of your necessary documents with you.  
Identity and visa check   We will check your passport and immigration permission. 
Right to study  We will update our records to say that we have completed your right to study check. 

If you have a Student/Tier 4 visa for a previous course and need to extend your visa

If you are inside the UK and have completed a course at the University of Southampton, you must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires and within 6 weeks of enrolment for your new course.

If you are inside the UK and have completed a course at another UK institution, you must apply for a new visa before starting your course. You will not be permitted to start studying at Southampton using a Student/Tier 4 visa issued for another institution.

If you  have completed an Academic Year Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course,  you need to extend your visa to start your main programme of study. The VISAS Team can help with your application. You can find general information on our website about applying for a Student visa and how to contact us. 

You will need to attend International Registration with proof of your visa application and evidence of most recent immigration permission.

eGates at the UK Border

Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America plus EEA/EU and Swiss nationals can use eGates to enter the UK border.

If you have received your visa before travel

When you enter using an eGate you will not receive a stamp in your passport so you must also bring evidence of the date that you entered the UK to International Registration eg a boarding card, ticket or booking confirmation for travel to the UK.

If you plan to apply for a Standard visit visa

If you choose to use the eGates when you enter the UK then you must also bring evidence of the date that you entered the UK to International Registration eg a boarding card, ticket or booking confirmation for travel to the UK.

Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain in the UK

If you have Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain in the UK, you will need to attend  International Registration. If you have applied for a student loan please ensure you book an appointment before your course start date to avoid delays with your finances.

You will need to bring the following to your appointment:

1. Immigration permission 

Passport  and
  • BRP; or 
  • Vignette or entry stamp confirming ILR; or 
  • Letter from the Home Office confirming ILR. 

2. Your term-time address

Next steps

Congratulations – you have now completed the important steps required for you to start your studies. 

We expect there will be lots to share with you this year as we adapt to our new way of learning. Our dedicated Student Communications Team run various channels to bring you the latest news, events and opportunities, as well as helping to promote and celebrate our students’ wonderful successes. 

Keep up to date with the latest student news on SUSSED. 

Make sure to like the team’s Facebook page, follow them on Twitter and feel free to get in touch by emailing: studentcomms@soton.ac.uk. 
Add the team on Snapchat at: unisouthampton.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact the University. 

When you arrive

Find out more about what happens when you arrive in Southampton

Welcome calendar

Find out more about events in your first few weeks at the University

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