Southampton Solent University

With the main teaching campus minutes from the town centre, Southampton Solent University is a modern institution ideally located in the heart of a bustling student city.  

Background and History

Originally conceived as a private School of Art in 1856, Southampton Solent was awarded university status in 2005 and continues to move from strength to strength. Committed to alternative courses and methods of study, the University puts employability at the centre of both its subject areas and its plans for the future.

Location and Accessibility

Rail: A convenient service from London Waterloo to Southampton Central run three times an hour and take roughly an hour and twenty minutes. From there the campus is only a short walk from the station.

Road: There are multiple direct routes to Southampton from the North and visitors could take the M3, M27 or A34. Those travelling from Bristol, the West County and Wales are advised to take the A36, while those from the East should take the A27/ M27 and exit at Junction 8.

New improvements in accommodation facilities, coupled with a modern campus, are only part of the support package offered to disabled students by the Access Solent team. These include library support, special exam arrangements, tutors and occupational therapists.

What's on Offer

HND, HNC, BA, BSc, LLM, PG Cert ACCA, MA, MSc, additional professional qualifications.

Entry Requirements

Entry is based on academic merit with a minimum of 100 UCAS points needed for general admission. However, individual courses often require more. The University accepts many different qualifications such as Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate, International Baccalaureate, Access to Higher Education Courses or the Advanced Diploma.

University Accommodation

All six modern halls were built within the last 15 years and contain a mix of large and small self-catered flats. The accommodation is grouped and is only a short walk from both the city centre and the campus. Over 2,300 rooms are available, 1,000 of which are en-suites.

Private Accommodation

There's plenty of student accommodation within the city, and the Universities of Southampton and Southampton Solent have collaborated with the local council to produce SASSH " the Southampton Accredited Scheme for Student Housing. This scheme lists properties which meet high safety standards. The Accommodation Office is also on hand to offer information and advice.

Faculties and Departments

Southampton Solent University is divided into three different faculties: the Faculty of Business, Sport and Enterprise, the Faculty of Creative Industries and Society and the Maritime and Technology Faculty.

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

The focus at Solent is firmly on offering opportunities to develop job skills within traditionally vocational subjects. Particular strengths lie in television production, and related areas, and maritime subjects such as yacht design.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees vary depending on the course of study chosen and whether you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Fees for international students are also likely to be considerably higher than those for UK/EU students. For further information it is advisable to contact the university directly or visit their website.

Financial Support

The University provides a range of grants, loans and bursaries for students from low-income households, and is a member of the Government's National Scholarship Programme.

Academic Facilities

In addition to being in receipt of a £7.8 million award from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the University has invested £22.5 million in improving campus facilities. Consequently, students enjoy the use of industry-standard equipment and amenities, which include three television studios, a £1 million centre for music recording, a £2 million investment for maritime studies and brand-new international-level sporting facilities. Modern Library and IT facilities are also on campus with extensive Wi-Fi access and multiple computer stations.

Other on-site Amenities

There are several gyms and sports facilities on and around the main campus and an excellent water sports centre at the Warsach campus. The University has 30 competitive sports teams so there's plenty of choice for the budding sportsperson. The Students' Union provides a hub with two bars, a well-stocked shop and the only cash points on campus. It is also home to a range of student support services and a vast array of societies and clubs. As the campus is only a short walk from the city centre, students can satisfy most of their needs easily enough.  

Medical and Social Care

There are no doctors surgeries on campus, but the University provides a list of local NHS practices. There's a Chaplaincy, a Faith Room and a Prayer Room on site. The University has a dedicated counselling service which runs workshops and individual meetings, in addition to providing Hypnotherapy sessions. Southampton Solent offers a generous learning and financial support package to students that have been in local authority care, and has been awarded the Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark in recognition of this.

 

What's on in the Area

Whether you want to relax on Southampton's 300-acre common or get busy exploring the medieval remnants of the city, there's plenty to keep you occupied. Southampton enjoys a strong cultural heritage to complement its status as a centre for shopping and entertainment. Southampton itself is ideally located and provides a convenient place to visit the historic New Forest, the Isle of Wight or even France.

 

Moving On

The University prides itself on improving students' employability and strives to incorporate relevant skills and knowledge into its degree courses. Every student is given the opportunity to undertake work for external clients as part of their degree. There is a great deal of support offered to enterprising students, and through the dedicated Enterprise Advisors the University provides practical information about setting up a new business. Recently the University has introduced an internal scheme which offers students an internship within the University. In addition, the University has dedicated careers advisors and an online job search service.

Current Southampton Solent students are among the official team employed every year to film Glastonbury music festival.

Notable former student include the fashion designer Jenny Packham and the co-found of BQ, David Quayle.

Is Southampton Solent University the place for you?

Come to Southampton Solent if you want a good degree in television production while enjoying university life in the very heart of a busy city. Avoid if a traditional degree subject from a campus university is more your cup of tea. Why not try the University of Swansea instead?