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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

Test and trace service

The University is actively developing a testing programme for students that would link with the appropriate Test and Trace service, based on its recent successful experience jointly-leading a major Government-funded COVID-19 saliva-based testing pilot for the city of Southampton. You will be receiving more details of this closer to your arrival.

Arrival details form

If you find yourself unable to join us on campus for the start of teaching on 5 October, you will need to let us know. We will be contacting you on Monday 24 August asking you to complete a form with your arrival details, and where you are travelling from. However, you will still need to complete the welcome steps on this site.

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.  Although the majority of students join the University in September, there are a number of different groups of students who arrive at various points throughout the year. This can affect how and when to apply for accommodation, therefore 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 1 August you are covered by the accommodation guarantee. If you have missed this date, or if you are not covered by the other terms of the guarantee, we still welcome your application for accommodation. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible as we will always make offers to students if we have suitable availability

Accommodation offers are normally made around mid-August to early September. 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.

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. If you are aware of any circumstances eg. planned holiday, which may result in you missing this offer, please contact us to discuss.

Our Accommodation Hotline will be running from 11:00 on Thursday 13 August 2020 until Friday 25 September 2020 and are there to advise support you through the accommodation process. They can be contacted via phone, email and online chat and are open weekdays 9:30-17:00.

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
  • Take a look at our website. We have built a site to help answer some of the key questions students have about accommodation

Students starting your studies in Semester 2

If you would like accommodation in our Hall of Residence and you are starting your studies in semester 2, you must apply online by Friday 6 November. Applications after this date will still be considered and accommodation will be offered if there is suitable availability.

Make an application if you are interested in University accommodation. Apply now.

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 or by 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 from September 2020 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 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.

 

Students starting your studies at another time of year 

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 1st 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 19th 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

Postgraduate Taught students commencing their study in January 2021 

  • Tuition fees are due in full by 1 February 2021. 
  • Or these students can choose to pay fees in three instalments – 34% by 1 February 2021, 33% by 1 April 2021and 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.

Useful Downloads

Need the software?PDF Reader

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 or by contacting your student office)
  • your current permanent address 
  • your term time address in the UK 
  • 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.

International Registration

If you are from outside the EEA, you can complete the online enrolment process to provisionally enrol before you arrive at the University. To fully enrol you will be invited to attend registration where you will need to show your passport, visa and academic qualifications.

Student at computer

Ready to enrol?

Enrolment should take about 15 minutes.

Enrol now

Apply for your ID card

If you have a UK address and are starting your course from 28th September you should apply for your student ID card before you arrive, as you will need it to access many of the facilities and buildings on campus, including the library and faculty buildings. 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.

When you apply for your ID card you will be given the option to choose additional services, which require payment. 

How to apply

Log in using your University username and the password you chose when completing step 3. Make sure to have an appropriate digital passport-style photo ready to upload.

Order your ID card
 
Collecting your card - UK Students

If you are a UK student and have applied for your card by 1st September, your ID card will be posted to your home address prior to your arrival at Southampton. If you apply after this date your ID card will be posted to your address in Southampton. You will also be provided with a digital version of your ID card that can be downloaded to your smartphone via the MySouthampton app once you have fully enrolled onto your course.

Collecting your card - EU/ International students 

If you are travelling to the UK from elsewhere, you will need to wait until you arrive to order your physical ID card as we require a full UK postal address to send it to. You will also be provided with a digital version of your ID card that can be downloaded to your smartphone via the MySouthampton app once you have fully enrolled onto your course. 

Returning  students 

If you require a new ID card you can order your new card on the ID Card website and it will be posted to you. You will also be provided with a digital version of your ID card that can be downloaded to your smartphone via the MySouthampton app once you have fully enrolled for this academic year.

If you experience problems making an order please contact ssc@soton.ac.uk

Click here to apply

Find your Faculty Hub

Your Faculty Student Hub is your one-stop-shop to  connect you to life at the University of Southampton.  It will be the place to go to connect you to your academic life, and take the next steps in getting started on your course. Your Hub will keep you feeling supported through your studies.  
Once you have enrolled, you should be able to access your Hub and start exploring everything studying at the University of Southampton has to offer. 


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 arriving in December 2020 or starting studies in January 2021

To help us make the most appropriate arrangements for you, and so we can best support you when you arrive, we are asking that you provide us with information regarding your travel plans by completing this online form. It is important for all students to complete the form, whether they are travelling from within the UK or abroad and arriving to Southampton or Winchester.

The form will be available to complete from mid-November and we ask all students to fill it in as soon as they know their travel plans.

This information will enable us to identify and support students who will need a period of quarantine upon arrival, if required by the UK Government.

When you complete the form, you will be asked to inform us of your expected date of arrival to Southampton or Winchester. If this date is after the start of teaching for your course, we will be able to assess, on a case-by-case basis, the impact this may have on your learning. If you are travelling to the UK from overseas, you may wish to use the University’s meet and greet service. You can find more details of this below.

Our blended approach to the academic year, providing a mix of online and in-person teaching, will help to support students who may arrive in Southampton or Winchester after the start of term. However, for some people, this may impact labs and other compulsory in-person teaching activity. Therefore, it is essential that you complete this form as soon as possible so that we can support you. If you are staying in our halls of residences, please make sure you complete the form at least 7 days before arriving in halls.

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.

Getting to the University

International and EU Students arriving from December 2020 onwards

Meet and Greet Service

Our Meet & Greet service will be available to students from December 2020, and more information about this service will be available on this webpage from mid-November 2020.  

If you are arriving before December, or are not using the Meet & Greet service, then you will need to make your own way to the University. For information on how to do this, visit our website for directions or email meetandgreet@soton.ac.uk.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

 

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a visa?

If you are a UK student, you can find directions to the campuses from our directions page.

Do you need a visa?

If you are not a British 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 Tier 4 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 Tier 4 visa up to three months before your programme start date. 
If you haven’t already applied, find out whether you need a visa and see our guidance on the application process. 

 

How to apply

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

If you apply for a Tier 4 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 are not a British Citizen or national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, your immigration permission shows your right to study.   
 
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

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

Appointments must be pre-booked and you will receive an email about booking based on your arrival date and any period of self-isolation needed.

You must not book an appointment during your self-isolation period. Collecting your BRP and opening a bank account are not valid reasons to book an International Registration appointment during your self-isolation period.

If you have not received an email, have completed any period of self-isolation, and need an appointment urgently please book one via our online form.

Please read the section that applies to you to find out if you need to attend International Registration, what you should check before booking, what you will need to bring with you and what will happen at your appointment.

 

I am a UK, EEA or Swiss 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

If you are from outside the EEA or Switzerland, you will need to attend International Registration. Shortly before the start of the academic year, we will invite you to book an appointment to attend International Registration and to upload copies of your immigration documents.

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 
Application Registration Card  and 

BAIL 201 letter

2. Your term-time address 


3. For Tier 4 students: 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. 
Enrol We will help you to complete enrolment. 
ID card We will give you your student ID card and you are ready to start your studies.

If you have a 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 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 Tier 4 visa and how to contact us. 

You will need to attend International Registration with proof of your visa application. 

eGates at the UK Border

Nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America 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 e.g a boarding card, ticket or booking confirmation for travel to the UK.

If you plan to apply for short-term study entry permission on arrival at the UK border

If you are coming to the UK as a short-term student, you must not use eGates to enter the UK border. You must see an Immigration Officer to get the correct short-term study entry stamp in your passport as you will not be permitted to enrol at the University without the short-term study entry stamp.

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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