Exploring Student Population At University Of Southampton: Numbers Revealed

The University of Southampton is a public research university with campuses in Southampton, Winchester, Malaysia, and soon, India. The university has a large student population, with around 15,000-25,000 students, depending on the source. The university's website states that it has over 16,000 undergraduates and over 7,600 postgraduates, while another source states that 23,790 students attended the university last year.

Undergraduate and postgraduate numbers

The University of Southampton has a large student population, with a total of over 23,790 students, according to one source. This is broken down into 15,650 undergraduate students and 10,305 postgraduate students, according to another source. A third source states that there are over 16,000 undergraduates and over 7,600 postgraduates.

The University of Southampton is based across several campuses. It has five campuses in Southampton, one in Winchester, and one in Malaysia. The university also has plans to open a new campus in Delhi, India, in 2025.

Campuses and halls of residence

The University of Southampton has seven campuses in total, with five in Southampton, one in Winchester, and one in Malaysia. The university also operates a science park in Chilworth.

Campuses

The university's main campus is located in the Highfield area of Southampton. The site was initially used as a military hospital during World War I and opened to students in 1914. The campus has grown gradually over the years and features detailed red brick buildings designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The campus was masterplanned by Sir Basil Spence in the 1950s, with newer buildings added by Rick Mather in the 1990s.

The Avenue Campus is located a short distance from the main Highfield campus and is home to the Faculty of Humanities, with the exception of Music. The site was purchased by the university in 1993 and the departments moved in during 1996. The campus consists of the original Tauntons building from the early 20th century, which has been redeveloped with a glass-fronted courtyard and extension, and a new Archaeology building constructed in 2006.

The Boldrewood Campus is located near the Highfield campus and houses the university's Maritime Centre of Excellence, the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, and Lloyd's Register's Group Technology Centre. The campus was formerly the Biomedical Sciences campus and acted as a non-hospital base for the School of Medicine and a research facility for the Biological Sciences until 2010.

The National Oceanography Centre is located in Southampton Docks, three miles south of the main campus. The campus is home to the university's Ocean and Earth Sciences department and five of the National Oceanography Centre's research divisions. The campus was completed in 1994 and opened in 1996.

The university maintains a presence at Southampton General Hospital in partnership with the NHS trust. It is home to some operations of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as several research centres.

The Winchester School of Art is located in central Winchester and houses the university's arts and textiles courses, which are part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The school was established in the 1960s and integrated into the University of Southampton in 1996. The campus contains the original school buildings, as well as structures built following the merger and the relocation of the Textile Conservation Centre to the site in 1998.

The University of Southampton Malaysia is located in Iskandar Puteri, in the state of Johor near the southwestern tip of Malaysia. The campus offers engineering foundation year programmes and MEng programmes in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The university was also the first in the UK to be awarded a licence to establish a campus in Delhi, India, in 2024.

Halls of Residence

The University of Southampton offers accommodation for all first-year students and places in residences are available for international and MSc students. The university's accommodation is spread across two large complexes and some smaller halls located around the city.

The Glen Eyre Complex is located less than half a mile north of the Highfield Campus and houses approximately 2,000 students. The complex consists of several building sets designed over the years, arranged around a central landscaped garden. The site also includes Chamberlain Halls, which share facilities with the main Glen Eyre site.

Wessex Lane Halls is located in Swaythling, about a mile east of the Highfield Campus, and provides accommodation for over 1,800 students. The complex comprises two halls of residence: Montefiore and Connaught.

City Gateway Hall is located in Swaythling, about a mile northeast of the Highfield Campus, and provides accommodation for up to 375 students. The landmark building features a 15-story elliptical tower and two adjoining six-story rectangular accommodation blocks.

Mayflower Halls is located in the city centre, within the cultural quarter, and houses over 1,100 students. The hall includes a gym available to residents and the public.

Archers Road is located two miles south of Highfield and houses 500 students across two halls on separate sites, Gateley and Romero, which share a reception and community facilities.

Highfield Halls is located adjacent to the Avenue Campus, half a mile from the Highfield campus, and comprises Aubrey and Wolfe houses, which offer on-site catering.

Gower Building is located on the Highfield campus and contains a small number of self-contained apartments, mainly used by mature and postgraduate students.

Erasmus Park is located in Winchester and houses around 400 students studying at the Winchester School of Art.

The university also has accommodation in Winchester at Riverside Way, and in Portsmouth and Basingstoke for Nursing and Midwifery students on placement.

Student satisfaction and graduate prospects

The University of Southampton is a large university, with a total of 25,955 students, comprising 15,650 undergraduates and 10,305 postgraduates. It is ranked 20th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025.

Student Satisfaction

The University of Southampton is a Russell Group university, and in the 2025 Complete University Guide, 75% of students reported being satisfied with their teaching, giving it a score of 3.01 out of 4. In the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework, Southampton was awarded Silver by the Teaching Excellence Framework Panel, and maintained this rating in the 2023 assessment.

In a 2020 study by NatWest, Southampton was ranked as the best UK student city for prioritising mental health support, with 49% of students agreeing that the city provides adequate support for mental health. This is compared to an average of 27% across the UK.

Graduate Prospects

The University of Southampton has a strong focus on research, with research income representing over half of its total income in 2002. It is home to a number of notable research centres and offers a wide range of Master's degrees and research groups. The university's pioneering research has made an impact on a global scale, and students' education is informed by this research.

Southampton also has a dedicated Careers and Employability Service to support students with job applications, finding work experience, and even setting up their own businesses. The university has links to global organisations, including Rolls-Royce, Lloyd's Register, Formula 1, and PwC, providing students with valuable career opportunities.

The University of Southampton has a strong reputation and is ranked highly in various international university rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is placed 80th in the world.

Courses and subjects

The University of Southampton offers a wide range of courses and subjects for students to choose from. The university has seven campuses in total, with five in Southampton, one in Winchester, and one in Malaysia. Each campus has its own unique focus and specialisation.

The University of Southampton offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses across multiple disciplines. Here is an overview of some of the notable courses and subjects available:

• Engineering: The university has a strong focus on engineering, with subjects such as Acoustical Engineering, Biomedical and Medical Engineering, Maritime Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering.
• Business and Management: The institution offers a range of business-related courses, including Accounting and Finance, Business and Management Studies, and Marketing.
• Science and Technology: Students can explore subjects like Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, and Physics and Astronomy.
• Health and Social Care: The university provides courses in Biomedical Sciences, Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Occupational Therapy.
• Humanities and Social Sciences: Students can pursue subjects like History, English Literature, Languages, Law, and Sociology.
• Art and Design: With its Winchester School of Art, the university offers courses in Art, Design, and Textiles.

The University of Southampton also encourages students to broaden their horizons through study abroad programmes, internships, and hands-on experiences such as field trips and laboratory sessions. Additionally, the university has a strong research focus, with its staff and students engaging in world-leading research across various disciplines.

Student life and support

Student life at the University of Southampton is vibrant and diverse, with a range of support services available to ensure students' success and well-being. The university has a large student population, with over 15,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 postgraduates, spread across its multiple campuses.

Support Services

The University of Southampton offers comprehensive support services to meet the diverse needs of its student body. These services include:

• The Student Hub: This is a central resource that students can contact 24/7 for any queries or concerns they may have throughout their time at the university.
• Student Life Teams: Available day and night in the halls of residence, these teams provide support for students' well-being and help them navigate any challenges they may encounter.
• Mental Health Support: The university offers a range of mental health services, including mindfulness classes, professional counselling, and drop-in sessions, to help students manage their mental health and thrive during their studies.
• Personal Academic Tutors: Every student is assigned a personal tutor who provides one-on-one support throughout their academic journey, helping them set and achieve their academic goals.
• English Language Classes: Free English language classes are offered to international students, covering academic writing, critical thinking, presentation skills, and seminar skills.
• Financial Support: The university's student financial support team provides advice on funding and budgeting and helps students access the financial resources they need to focus on their studies.
• Support for Students with Disabilities: The Student Disability and Inclusion team offers dedicated support to students with disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary accommodations and assistance.
• Support for International Students: From airport pickups to helping with practicalities like finding health services, the university ensures international students feel welcomed and supported as they settle into a new country.
• Union Support: The Students' Union, SUSU, offers a wide range of free and confidential advice to students, including housing advice, financial advice, and academic support and representation.

Student Life

The University of Southampton offers a rich and engaging student life, with numerous opportunities for personal growth and development.

• Extracurricular Activities: With over 200 affiliated societies and 80 sports clubs, students can pursue their passions, develop new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals.
• Study Abroad Programmes: Students can choose to study abroad for a semester or a year, gaining valuable international experience and a global perspective.
• Work Opportunities: The university provides work opportunities on campus and around the city, allowing students to gain work experience, earn money, and enhance their employability.
• Accommodation: The university prioritises providing accommodation for first-year students and offers a range of options, including halls of residence and catered or self-catered rooms.
• Sports and Recreation: The university has excellent sports facilities, including the Jubilee Sports Centre and the Wide Lane Sports Ground, offering a variety of sports and fitness activities for students to stay active and healthy.
• Clubs and Societies: With a wide range of clubs and societies, students can explore their interests, connect with others, and develop new hobbies. Whether it's joining a sports club, participating in a music group, or engaging in political or cultural societies, there's something for everyone.

The University of Southampton is committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment for its students, offering a well-rounded educational experience that extends beyond the classroom. With a focus on both academic excellence and student well-being, the university equips its students with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their studies and thrive in their personal lives.

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