University of Southampton: What it's really like

Want to study at a Russell Group university with a modern, city-based campus? The University of Southampton might be the place for you!

Southampton at a glance:

Katie Bizley, UK Student Recruitment Officer at the University of Southampton, explains what makes it special - and how to put together a strong application.

What is the University of Southampton?

The University of Southampton is a medium-sized Russell Group university of around 22,000 students, located on the south coast of England. It’s on a split campus that has locations throughout the city of Southampton. Though it’s best known for its engineering courses, in fact it offers courses in a range of subjects, and even has a hospital and ocean centre for courses in these areas.

It’s also relatively unique as a Russell Group university with its own School of Arts, located in Winchester. There’s an overseas campus in Malaysia, as well. 
 

Why apply to Southampton? 

Students often feel a sense of ‘home’ here. It has a warm and welcoming reputation, which students often report feeling right from their first visit. We feel that students can be themselves here; there isn’t really a certain ‘type’ of Southampton student because it offers such a wide range of courses and experiences.

87% of students here come from state schools, one of the highest rates amongst the Russell Group universities.

There is a huge amount of student support for international students too. Lots of international students take up a pre-sessional course, to help them feel prepared for the level of English spoken and the lifestyle of the UK. The Academic Centre for International Students provides academic support, whilst a range of student societies, including those for different nationalities and sports interests, create a sense of community. And there are specific international officers working with different countries, who you can reach out to if you need guidance.

Southampton itself is also a great place to live and study. It’s very much a university city, which means student life really shapes the look, feel, and atmosphere of the place, and there’s a noticeable difference when the students are away. Plus, there’s easy access not only to London, but also to the beaches at Bournemouth and Brighton.
 

Who isn’t the right fit for Southampton?

If you’re looking for the classic campus experience, Southampton might not be right for you. The split campus means you’re unlikely to be living where you take classes, so rolling out of bed and running to the lecture theatre probably isn’t a possibility. 

On the other hand, if you’re after a bustling urban experience, Southampton isn’t really going to provide that, either. Then again, you might say it’s the best of both worlds: you can feel integrated into the life of the city, but it’s not as overwhelming as places like London. 

In the end, most students who choose to attend Southampton will tell you it ‘just felt right’... and maybe it’ll feel that way for you, too!
 

Any application tips? 

When you’re writing your Personal Statement, the admissions team really wants to see what experiences you’ve had which have led you to this decision. Rather than simply saying the subject is your ‘passion’, let them know something unique about you. Telling a story - for example, explaining how you learnt about money by watching how your parents managed finances as part of a business - can be a great way to make you stand out.

Remember your Personal Statement has to be generic - so unfortunately, you can’t target this to Southampton specifically!

Because there’s more competition for students, universities are starting to think of grades as a guide rather than an absolute requirement - so don’t be afraid to be ambitious in your top choice, and rank your ‘safer’ schools second or third. For many Southampton courses, they will consider dropping one of the expected grades if you get an A in your EPQ. 
 

What’s the location like?

Southampton itself is a medium-sized city, with around 250,000 people living there.The city feels young and vibrant, with students making up about 20% of the population. 

The University of Southampton’s campuses and halls of residence are dotted all over the city of Southampton. A highlight of staying in the university’s student accommodation is that a bus pass is included, making travel around the city super easy.

Southampton is ranked as one of the greenest cities in the UK, and a highlight of the local area is the Common, which is popular with the university’s Quidditch society! But it also boasts a wide variety of shops, restaurants and bars, with a dessert and gelato bar, Sprinkles, proving popular with students.
 

What facilities does Southampton have to offer?

Southampton has a Students’ Union (SU) on-campus, which includes lots of bars, restaurants and a cinema. Activities on offer include karaoke, pizza nights and themed parties!

Engineering students can make the best of the R.J. Mitchell Wind Tunnel - named after the creator of the spitfire aeroplane -  and languages students can access resources at the languages lab. The Bloomberg Trading Suite offers live economics data with a delay of just 2-3 seconds, accessible not only to economics and business students but to all, with 23 trading terminals.

The Hartley library has five floors, each one with a different zone for different study needs. Whether you want to work in group areas, individually on your laptop, or eat whilst you study, there will be a floor for you!
 

What is the accommodation like?

Accommodation at Southampton is usually ensuite, which includes a private bathroom. For non-ensuite rooms, there is the option to have a basin in your room alongside the shared bathroom.

Two of the halls of residence are catered, so food is included in the accommodation bill for these. However, most students choose the self-catered option so they have flexibility over their mealtimes and food choices.

Alternatively, students can stay in private rented house shares, which they often choose to do from their second year onwards.

Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.