Southampton Solent University

• Location: Southampton, England,
• Year of foundation: 1856,
• Number of students: about 10,000,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

Southampton Solent University is a public multidisciplinary university, the history of which dates back to 1856, when a private Art School was established in its place. It received the status of an independent higher educational institution in 1989, and officially the university title in 2005. Currently, Southampton Solent University attracts students from all over the world with a high level of academic programs based on the application of practical skills during their studies in the UK.

The British university aims to create an excellent university education that allows local and foreign students to become responsible, enterprising citizens, and demonstrate their leadership skills. To increase students' self-confidence and increase their importance in the job market, Southampton Solent University offers the latest academic programs based on a combination of applied sciences and intellectual challenges with a diverse, comprehensive and supportive learning environment.

Southampton Solent University has received a number of awards and recognitions from international educational organizations due to its high standards of education, wide range of opportunities and extensive experience working with students from all over the world. The annual ratings confirm the superiority of the educational institution in a variety of parameters, including the high level of employment of graduates, the quality of teaching, and a wide range of extracurricular development opportunities.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

What are the currently popular courses at UK universities?

UK universities are known for their diverse subject offerings. Business, medicine, and engineering traditionally see high demand, with growing interest in computer science. 

All students have the opportunity to receive comprehensive support for everything from finding off-campus housing to finding their first job. Staff and educators offer additional subject classes, mentoring services, tailored curricula, and other tools to help students achieve academic excellence.

The university has several specialized faculties and departments:

• Business, Law and Digital Technologies,
• Creative industries, architecture and engineering,
• Sport, Health and Social Sciences,
• Warsash Maritime School,
• Art, music.

The university's goal is to conduct innovative research that has a wide-ranging and significant impact on students' experiences and learning, as well as on the lives of people in local, national, and international communities. Research projects cover four areas:

• Environment, Engineering,
• Functions, human health,
• Media, culture, art,
• Social Research, Politics.

Not only highly qualified specialists, but also bachelor's, master's and doctoral students take part in the research.

Solent Food Garden is part of the Students' Union's campus greening initiative, implemented in partnership with management. The garden with a variety of plants, vegetables and fruits aims to create a safe space for people who would like to spend time in tranquility, gardening. The green space is available to all students, however, only applicants can make changes and grow fruits, vegetables and herbs in the beds. The garden has 10 high beds, extensive places for growing plants in the ground. Everything that grows in the garden is used in the preparation of dishes in the restaurants and cafeterias of the university.

Four residences managed by Southampton Solent University offer guaranteed accommodation for first-year students and comfortable accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• Kimber is the residential building closest to the educational buildings. There are 274 single bedrooms with private bathrooms, shared furnished kitchens, living rooms with TV and board games, and laundry rooms.,
• Chantry — 208 separate studio bedrooms of various comfort levels: with private or shared bathrooms. Residents use fully furnished kitchens located on each floor of the residence, and relax in shared living rooms. There is a laundry service in the building, and parking for bicycles is provided.,
• David Moxon is the closest residence to the East Park Terrace campus, offering 117 single rooms with private bathrooms. Bright kitchens, living rooms and a laundry room are common in the building.,
• Deanery is a residence of three separate buildings with 422 single bedrooms, which are included in large apartments for 7-10 people.

The price includes all utilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, regular room cleaning, personal belongings insurance. Many residences have rooms prepared for students with disabilities.

The Dock Restaurant is the main dining area, offering a wide range of dishes prepared by a highly qualified team of chefs. There is everything here: from chicken wings, meat and vegetarian burgers to breakfasts, salads, rolls. Several more restaurants and cafes are located near The Spark, a place where students will find the famous Starbucks coffee, pizza, pastries and other snacks, and will be able to relax and socialize with their classmates.

A wide range of thematic clubs, sports sections and creative associations gives students the opportunity to find something to their liking, immerse themselves in their favorite business in a circle of like-minded people, achieve success and earn a scholarship.

Sport is one of the main areas of extracurricular activities. There are more than 30 sports clubs on the university campus, including:

• American football
• Cricket
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Mountaineering
• Tennis,
• Rugby
• Volleyball
• Yachting
• Netball
• Equestrian
• Cheerleading, dancing,
• Soccer
• Swimming.

National teams compete in a variety of tournaments, including the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues. In 2017, Solent Sport won the title of "Best University" in the BUCS National Awards, climbing an impressive 13 positions. Varsity is an annual sporting event launched in 2016 where teams compete against Bournemouth University in a local derby: the event consists of 25 sports matches attended by more than 1,700 spectators.

Student societies serve as a place where students can develop their interests in a circle of like-minded people, they reflect the diverse hobbies of the student body, for example:

• Accounting, Business,
• Asian Community,
• Airsoft,
• Community of Doctor Who fans,
• Catholic Society,
• Filmmaking
• Anime, manga,
• Video games,
• Yoga
• Social networks.

All theme clubs and sports teams are managed by the Student Council, which also organizes most of the activities on campus. Every year, the educational area receives dozens of guests at its musical concerts, theatrical performances, master classes and lectures. International and national holidays, costume parties, historical dates, teachers' anniversaries and other events are celebrated in a big way at Southampton Solent University.

• TEF 2023 Gold Rating,
• No. 6 in the ranking of universities in the UK in terms of sustainable employment — LEO 2022,
• No.8 among the top 20 college campuses is StudentCrowd 2023,
• 91% of graduates are employed or continue their studies within 15 months after completing the program at the university,
• Multinational student community, about 20% of which is represented by more than a hundred different nationalities,
• Modern equipment for each specialization, focused on obtaining applied skills.

The educational area of Southampton Solent University has many academic and research facilities, modern sports infrastructure, outdoor recreation areas, and self-study. On campus, you can find almost everything for academic and personal success: from a library, classrooms with interactive equipment, specialized laboratories to multifunctional game rooms, creative studios, and classes for project activities. The university library has a huge selection of books, magazines and other materials in printed and electronic format that will help students in their studies. With over 800 study spaces, including group and individual studying rooms, with computer rooms with over 150 PCs and Macs, and 100 laptops, the library serves as a thriving center with staff to assist students with any academic question.

What else is different about the Southampton Solent University campus?:

• 3D Modeling Workshop,
• Advanced Composites Laboratory,
• Animation studios,
• Editing studio, postproduction,
• Digital Music Studio,
• Cisco Network Labs,
• Fire School,
• A room duplicating a real courtroom,
• Photo labs,
• Laboratory of Physiology.

Southampton Solent University is famous for its sports infrastructure — the multi-purpose complex cost the university 28 million pounds. In it you can find:

A gym with 90 stations, which has more than 40 types of cardio equipment, including virtual reality, treadmills, exercise bikes, climbing walls, elliptical and rowing. Professional trainers and instructors are always present in the gym.,

A multifunctional sports hall that is used for training in basketball, mini-football, badminton, netball, rugby, and volleyball. The hall has a wooden floor with Dynamic Helsinki springs, which meets the requirements of FIBA of the second level, a high-quality scoreboard, a capacity of 450 spectators, and an industry-standard media complex for students studying media technology.

The Test Park stadium hosts most of the training sessions, matches of the Solent soccer team, rugby and American football. It also serves as an important resource for practical exercises that all students enrolled in professional sports programs must complete. Test Park has the following infrastructure:

3G MUGA All-weather

• Lighting Field for Mini Football and American Football,
• A lighted soccer field and a 100-seat stadium with a total capacity of 1,260 spectators,
• Illuminated rugby training field,
• Two football fields with a grass surface,
• Fully equipped classroom,
• Six large changing rooms with showers and toilets,
• Illuminated parking,
• Alert system for Wessex Football League matches,
• Licensed bar, catering service.

At the university, the academic year is divided into three semesters:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Spring: January-March,
• Summer: April-May.

First-year students start the fall semester a week earlier than other students, as welcome events are organized for them, focused on effective adaptation to a new place of study. Academic classes are held on weekdays in the morning, followed by extracurricular activities: sports, creativity, volunteering, research, and others. Students take vacations on national and international holidays, on weekends, and during vacations.

An approximate list of additional expenses includes:

• Registration fees,
• Accommodation and meals,
• Customized educational materials,
• Additional academic support,
• Some extracurricular activities, such as contributions to the use of the sports center,
• Medical insurance,
• Personal expenses.

Applicants go through several stages for enrollment, some of them are available online:

• Submission of a personal application, required documents,
• Payment of registration fees,
• Passing an interview, entrance exams,
• Receiving an official invitation to enroll,
• Making a deposit to book a place, applying for a scholarship, reserving a place in a residence,
• Arrival at campus and start of classes.

Every year, the institution conducts a survey of graduates, which collects statistics - more than 90% of students are employed or continue their academic path within 15 months after receiving a diploma.

Before enrolling in higher education programs, foreign candidates must complete the preparatory courses of the International Foundation. To enroll in them, you will need:

• Personal documents: passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Certificate of completion of secondary education,
• The results of language tests at the IELTS level (from 5.0) or equivalent to it.

Upon completing the preparatory courses, students will have access to undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The transition is possible upon submission of the following documents:

• Personal documents: passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Certificate of preparatory course,
• Results of language tests at the IELTS level (from 6.0) or equivalent,
• Personal statement,
• Portfolio (required for some specialties),
• Letters of recommendation from teachers and academic supervisors from previous places of study.

A wide range of scholarship support helps many students pay for tuition, maintain motivation for high achievements in studies and extracurricular activities. The university has dozens of programs that award especially outstanding students: athletes, scientists, art historians, linguists, doctors and others. The award is paid for one academic year, can be extended if a good level of grades is maintained.

Financial support is also available for those who find themselves in a difficult life situation and have external benefits - for example, students from large families, the military, single-parent families.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision