University of Southampton

The University of Southampton traces its beginnings to the Hartley Institution, founded in 1862 thanks to a bequest from Henry Robinson Hartley, a wine merchant in the town. It developed into Hartley College and then Hartley University College, and in 1952 received a royal charter granting university status. Southampton was one of the founding members of the Russell Group and is part of the Worldwide Universities Network. Its student population exceeds 25,000.

Highfield, the main campus, is located in a residential district of the city, and several other sites are close at hand. Avenue houses the humanities, engineering and maritime research are based at Boldrewood, and the waterfront National Oceanography Centre is hosted by the university. Southampton General Hospital is where medicine and health sciences are taught, while Winchester School of Art has a separate campus in Winchester. Research in oceanography, optoelectronics, electronics and engineering has been a strength for many years, and the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research was established in 1963. Outside the UK, Southampton also operates campuses in India and Malaysia.

Information for International Students

Southampton runs its own international foundation year, blending subject study with the development of English language skills. Two UK foundation years, one in science and another in engineering, physics and mathematics, also lead to a degree place on successful completion. Offer holders can take pre-sessional English courses lasting six, eleven or sixteen weeks, online or in person at Avenue Campus, with a cap keeping classes small. Each programme is placed in an English language band, so the IELTS score required varies from course to course.

Subject to terms and conditions, most first-year students applying by the deadline are guaranteed a single room in halls, and the university states that new international students are guaranteed accommodation. A dedicated visas team handles questions about the Student visa and wider immigration matters. Organised arrival and welcome support is provided for new students, after which help is available with health, wellbeing, faith and safety. International undergraduates and postgraduates can apply for scholarships, while international students planning a career, whether in the UK or overseas, can draw on a specialist careers service. The UK Graduate Route is open to eligible graduates.