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Choosing where to study

Universities in Southampton

Applying to study in Southampton? Find out about accommodation, transport and what to do in one the UK’s top student cities.

CONTENTS

  1. Why study in Southampton?

  2. About Southampton

  3. University of Southampton

  4. Southampton Solent University

  5. Living in Southampton

  6. Entry requirements

  7. Transport links

  8. Getting around Southampton

  9. Things to do in Southampton

Why study in Southampton?

Located on the south coast of England, Southampton is a vibrant and modern city just over an hour away from London. Shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2025, Southampton has a growing reputation for being arty. With two universities based in the city, students will find it a lively and friendly place to study.

About Southampton

Southampton, also known as Soton, is a major port city in the south east of England, close to the sea and the New Forest. It’s a buzzing place with lots going on, making it a perfect city for students. It's famous for Craig David, the Titanic (which sailed from the city on her final voyage), football, nightlife and, of course, its universities.

University of Southampton

The University of Southampton attracts over 25,000 students per year. It is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Its pioneering research includes cancer research and using micro-bubbles to aid bone repair.

Location

The University of Southampton has campuses in Southampton, Winchester and Malaysia. New undergraduates who make Southampton their firm choice are guaranteed a place in halls of residence if they meet the criteria. University accommodation offers a range of room types, including en suite, with part- or self-catered options. There's easy access to the campuses and facilities, as well as the city centre, thanks to a good transport system.

Facilities

Southampton has four libraries with over 3 million books, journals and reports. Special collections include papers from the Duke of Wellington. The Student Hub at Southampton is available 24/7, helping students find the right support and information. Support ranges from accommodation and finance to wellbeing and accessibility.

There’s also an on-campus cinema, cafes and bars, and green spaces. The Turner Sims concert hall is at the Highfield Campus, and the university's John Hansard Gallery is in the city centre.

See the University of Southampton profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Southampton Solent University

Southampton Solent University has a lively student community that is diverse and multicultural. Solent’s top areas of research and expertise are the creative and cultural industries, maritime and the environment, law and business, and sport and health.

Location

Solent’s campus is in the city centre, giving students easy access to Southampton’s shops, culture, sports, and career opportunities. Accommodation at Solent is guaranteed to full-time first-year applicants who apply by the deadline. It has over 1,200 rooms across its modern, purpose-built residences, close to the university and city.

Facilities

Solent’s award-winning library is a modern, spacious learning environment. Across its five floors you'll find PCs, Macs and individual study spaces. It’s open until late evening during term time and 24/7 during assignment periods. The Spirituality and Reflection Service offers confidential support in personal and spiritual matters. It has spaces for prayer and reflection or to decompress. The student funding team give advice on most aspects of funding. Their advice covers loans, grants, financial hardship, state benefits and money management.

See Southampton Solent University profile page for an interactive map and more information.

Living in Southampton

At the University of Southampton, students usually live near the Highfield campus in student halls or in the city centre. Southampton Solent University students can also choose to live in halls of residence found near the campus. First year students tend to go with this choice as it provides the chance to meet new people.

Once in your second and third year of university, you’re more likely to live in private rented accommodation. Portswood and Swaythling are the most popular student areas, where you’ll find lots of affordable rented housing.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course. The best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our course chooser. There you can see what each course’s entry requirements are.

Transport links

Typical train journey times from Southampton

Bristol 1 hour 40 minutes
Cardiff 2 hours 40 minutes
London 1 hour 20 minutes
Manchester 4 hours 20 minutes
Nottingham 4 hours
Glasgow 7 hour 10 minutes

Getting around Southampton

Southampton is a well-connected city with several modes of transport to help you get around and explore surrounding areas.

Walk

Much of Southampton is flat, which makes walking a great choice for getting around. You can also take advantage of the many walking routes around the city when needing to escape the hustle and bustle.

Cycle

Southampton welcomes cyclists. The city council has been working to improve this experience, with more cycle paths and safer roads. Or if you prefer, you can hire an e-scooter to get about.

Bus

Bus services are regular and reliable in Southampton, linking people to all parts of the city. Plus, many of the buses offer free Wi-Fi so you can stay connected while on the move.

Train

From Southampton you can get to major cities such as Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Bristol. You can reach the nation’s capital within one hour and 20 minutes and trains leave every 30 minutes to London Waterloo.

Things to do in Southampton

Southampton has an abundance of entertainment and activities for everyone. Make the most of shopping, leisure facilities and historic attractions, or on a night out hit the city's night clubs, restaurants or bars. Southampton combines medieval walls with modern architecture for a historic yet contemporary feel.

Art and culture

The city has a thriving art scene. Art lovers should definitely head to John Hansard Gallery for contemporary art. Collections at Southampton City Art Gallery span from the Renaissance to modern times.

For theatre buffs, Southampton is home to the Mayflower Theatre, which is the biggest theatre on the south coast. Here you can watch a variety of musicals, live music, comedy, dance and plays throughout the year.

Music is also an important part of life in Southampton, with a busy programme of events and gigs. It’s home to an O2 arena in a venue that's seen live performances by David Bowie and The Killers.

Food and drink

Southampton is serious about food. You’ll find cuisines from all around the world such as Greek, Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern and more. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or want a hearty meal, you’ll find it all here. You also don’t need to spend a lot finding tasty dishes. There are plenty of restaurants for tight budgets. Grab a pizza, burger or pancake stack without spending a small fortune.

Southampton has lots of independent coffee shops for those times when you just can’t face the library any more. Westquay Shopping Centre is also packed with well-loved restaurants and places for a quick bite to eat while browsing the shops.

Nightlife

Southampton has a lively nightlife, from clubs and gig venues to bars and pubs. Traditional nightclubs include Jesters, Sobar and Trilogy. Gig venues include Engine Rooms, the Joiners and the 1865. Most of these host events throughout the week, catering for all kinds of musical tastes.
 
The city also offers lots of traditional pubs in which to enjoy a pint and a pie, or swanky cocktail bars depending on your mood and budget. Other evening activities include watching a comedy show, going to the cinema, trying an escape room and watching a play at the theatre.

Outdoors

The New Forest is an area of outstanding natural beauty and just a 25-minute drive from Southampton city centre. Here you can go camping, cycling, horse-riding and walking around the beautiful, varied landscapes. You’re also likely to see wild horses, donkeys and cows during your visit to the New Forest.

Southampton also has its fair share of green spaces. The most popular include Southampton Common, Riverside Park and St James’ Park. These are easily accessible spaces for students to chill out, play games, run around and enjoy a break between lectures.

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