University of Southampton

The University of Southampton has a long history of tradition, prestige and success, having just celebrated 100 years of its Highfield Campus.

A founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, the University is ranked in the Top 20 UK universities in the Complete University Guide, 2020 and is also a three-times winner of the Queen's Anniversary Prize.

The University is spread across five campuses in Southampton, one in Winchester and an engineering campus in Malaysia. Each campus has its own community and personality, world-leading facilities and specialisms.

Students have the choice of 200 taught courses and 90 research courses to study at postgraduate level, which ranges from business to science, and engineering to art. The university’s faculties are:

• Arts and Humanities
• Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Environmental and Life Sciences
• Medicine
• Social Sciences

97% of the University’s research environment was assessed as world leading or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2014). The University has impressive facilities for students to take advantage of during their time studying here, including a purpose-built concert hall, flight simulator, £120M Cleanroom Complex, research vessels for marine work and a law mooting room. Across the campuses, there are also plenty of things for students to enjoy in their spare time, including a cinema, gym and a wide range of food and drink outlets.

Students can also take advantage of the University’s specialist business support services, which have helped over 30 start-up companies through its business incubators and Science Park. Some of the graduate employers who have partnered with the University to recruit its students include Deloitte, BAE Systems, the NHS, Rolls-Royce, Marwell Wildlife and IBM.

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Fantastic! University of Southampton is an amazing place to study and get experience. Teachers are very supportive and Student's Union has a variety of clubs and societies.”

“Really enjoyed it, lectures are good, course is interesting.”

“Amazing as I met lots of friends during my life here, learnt so many new things here, uni provided so many great opportunities to explore the city, the academic stuff and even work.”

The University of Southampton is in the top 20 UK universities targeted by the largest number of employers*, so students are in very safe hands when it comes to getting help towards obtaining their dream job.

The Careers and Employability team helps students stand out at each stage of the recruitment process, from support with writing a CV and cover letter to skills workshops. Students can also attend drop-in sessions to talk to an advisor in detail about any specific queries or career goals.

The University provides as many opportunities as possible for students to obtain real-world industry experience. Previous internships have covered a broad range of industries, and included employers such as Ordnance Survey, GE Aviation, Paris Smith, Mayflower Theatre and Zurich Insurance.

The most recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey (2016/17) showed that University of Southampton postgraduate taught students were earning around £5,000 more a year on average than undergraduate students, six months after graduation. Postgraduate research students were earning over £12,000 a year more.

*The Graduate Market in 2020

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“I think my uni provide much support in how to prepare my CV and update the information about employment.”

“Careers department, careers fairs, events.”

“They got so many events, stuff to help others for work.”

Students have a wide choice of postgraduate opportunities, from masters degrees to PhDs.

You’ll be learning alongside leaders in their fields who are working on trailblazing research programmes. You could be involved with research that is changing the world and society, from pioneering new ways to improve democracy for all, through to cracking cybercrime and using Artificial Intelligence to diagnose disease. Students will have access to exceptional facilities and support throughout their degree. There are many opportunities to gain hands-on experience, and complete work experience as part of the programme.

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Teachers are patient.”

“Excellent!”

“Classes are recorded so it’s easy to catch up. Lecture notes are posted on Blackboard, which makes them easily accessible.”

The Students' Union at Southampton is one of the largest in the UK and is completely independent from the University.

It is run by students, for students, and is made up of a team of elected student sabbatical officers, as well as student leaders and student officers, who have been elected to help ensure the smooth running of the SU and to represent the voice of their fellow pupils.

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Arranges many events.”

“Fantastic!”

“They are good at communicating our concerns and getting them resolved asap.”

The University offers a wide range of accommodation that caters for all budgets and needs.

There is a specific postgraduate-only building, City Gateway, which offers facilities including a common room and a launderette, while at the base of the building there is a privately-owned gym, a convenience store and a doctor's surgery. Rooms available in the flat include an en-suite room, a small self-contained flat with a private kitchen and bathroom, and rooms with more than one bed for couples and families. Prices per week are:

• Self-catered, en-suite room: £168.07
• Self-catered studio flat: £213.22
• Self-catered one bedroom flat (couples): £255.50
• Self-catered two bedrooms flat (families): £330.89

For the most up-to-date information on accommodation and fees, please visit the University website.

There is also the option of renting somewhere independent of the University. The University offers help in finding a suitable and safe place to live, and more information can be found on their website.

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Perfect, safe, spacious.”

“Clean.”

The University offers a host of learning and leisure facilities across its campuses.

Leisure facilities include:

• A cinema room
• Coffee shops and bars
• State-of-the-art gym complete with a swimming pool, exercise machines and running tracks

State-of-the-art learning facilities include:

• Mechanical workshop
• Biofilm laboratories
• Law mooting room
• Music studios and rehearsal rooms
• Flight simulator and a wind tunnel
• £120m Cleanroom Complex
• 138m towing tank
• One of the most powerful supercomputers in the world
• Bloomberg Trading Suite
• Research vessels
• Clinical academic research facility
• Over ten specialist libraries

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Great, always have what I need.”

“10/10”

“Fantastic!”

Southampton is a vibrant student city, and it was voted as one of the best cities to live and work in the UK. (Good Growth for Cities Index, 2019, DEMOS-PwC)

Students have plenty to do and see during their spare time from studying, with a thriving arts and culture scene, over 50 parks and green spaces, and lively evening entertainment offering everything from live music venues to late night cafes. The city also has plenty of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, and is just over an hour's train ride away from the bright lights of London – making it the perfect place to go for on a day trip over the weekend.

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“Southampton is very peaceful and convenient.”

“Loads of shops restaurants and bars, huge cinema, shopping centre etc.”

“Fantastic!”

“It is quiet and safe.”

The University of Southampton offers over 300 clubs and societies for students to get involved with during their time learning, as well as sports clubs.

There is also the chance for aspiring journalists to join the University's student media, which has its very own TV channel, radio station, website and entertainment magazine.

Students can also start up their own society, offering a great opportunity for them to showcase their leadership skills and sense of initiative.

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“I like hiking clubs.”

“Large variety.”

“Lots and lots of clubs and many activities to take part in!”

The University offers help and support services designed to make sure that students benefit from an enjoyable experience during their time there.

These include:

• Confidential counselling service and specific mental health support
• Money advice
• Information on finding housing
• Dedicated support for disabled students and pupils with additional learning needs
• An international centre to support overseas and exchange pupils

The University can also help you find a local doctor, dentist and hospital when you begin your course. 

University of Southampton students on Postgraduate Search say:

“The uni provides Personal Academic Tutor to help us to deal with academic problems.”

“Very good.”

“Fantastic!”

There are many potential sources of funding to help support your masters or your postgraduate research studies, including loans, bursaries, sponsorships and scholarships.

For latest fee information, please visit the University’s fees and funding page.

The University has a range of scholarship and bursaries for both masters and research students. 

Please click here for detailed information.

Postgraduate Loan

Government loans are available up to £11,222 (masters) and £26,445 (PhD) to help fund course fees and living costs. Find out more

Final year student or alumni discount

Students who are in their final year of studying at undergraduate level at the university, and all alumni can receive 10 percent off their postgraduate course fees. Find out more 

Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Students are eligible to £7,000 per year for three years if they make good progress with their research each year of their studies.

Visit the University of Southampton website for detailed information on fees and funding.

Global impact

The University’s research is changing the world. In fact, the University has been ranked 8^th in the UK by the Research Excellence Framework for research intensity.

University researchers are improving maternal health in the world’s poorest countries; developing smart fabrics for clothing to power your tech; and exploring the cause of the mass extinction. connecting the planet through erbium-doped amplifiers which the internet relies on; and educating viewers as scientific advisors on Blue Planet II. In addition, the University partners with other universities, research institutions and businesses across the world.

Interdisciplinary research

The University places a key focus on bringing together expertise from different subject areas to broaden research opportunities and address important global issues.

Quality of teaching

Students learn from academic staff who are at the forefront of their fields. Several of the Universities’ teaching staff have been made National Teaching Fellows, and the University was awarded Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2018.. The Universities’ teaching staff provide a supporting environment for learning, and help students to achieve their academic goals.

See the University of Southampton taught and research course pages for entry requirements.

The University offers postgraduate research degrees including MPhils and PhDs, as well as specialist courses such as the Doctor of Medicine (DM) and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

Students benefit from working with the University's world-leading academics during their time studying, as well as cutting-edge subject-specific facilities. During their time learning, they will work for the majority of their time independently as they focus on a subject in detail to then go on and write a thesis on their findings. They will be supported throughout by a supervisor with specialist knowledge in their field.

The University of Southampton designs its degrees with your future in mind. Their aim is to help students gain a more specialist understanding in their subject area.

Many of their courses offer the chance for students to gain industry experience through undertaking an internship, as well as working on live briefs with real-life businesses.