What better backdrop for your student adventures than the buzzing port city of Southampton? It’s a charming combination of waterfront, vibrant city energy, green spaces and maritime heritage – (yes, the Titanic set sail from Southampton on its maiden voyage!). You could be studying in an independent cafe, going late-night bowling with your mates or soaking up some culture with visiting family members – whatever you’re after, you’ll find it in Southampton.
Solent is right in the heart of things and so is its accommodation
Southampton Solent University’s campus has it all. It’s located in the city’s cultural quarter, home to the SeaCity Museum, a centre for Titanic and maritime heritage, major art galleries, theatres and live music venues. Right next door are Southampton’s five scenic central parks – the perfect spot for a wander between lectures. It’s also a stone’s throw from the main station and shops, for when that student loan drops.
For Maddie Haysom-Monde, a second-year student studying criminal investigation with psychology, the hustle and bustle of Southampton city life was a big part of the draw. “I’m originally from south Wales, so I kind of wanted to get out of my small village and seeing that Solent was in the middle of a city centre was a big thing for me, because there’s always something amazing going on. The difference between a small village and this [city] is night and day,” she says.
As a Solent student, even when you’re not at uni, you’re well-placed to make the most of Southampton. Haysom-Monde says: “A lot of student housing is in the city centre. It’s so easy to meet up with friends.” In fact, all four of Solent’s student halls of residence are in the centre and no more than a 20-minute walk from campus – ideal for getting to know the place.
The uni social scene is thriving
As Gemma Moss, a third-year business management with marketing student explains, Southampton is a very student-friendly city, full of pubs, bars and nightclubs. You also have a choice of late-night bowling, arcades and escape rooms. “Solent isn’t the only university in Southampton, so there’s a real student vibe and lots of places do student discounts. It makes it all just a bit more affordable,” she says.
Southampton’s student population means there are plenty of ways to socialise, especially as part of uni clubs or societies. Moss says that as well as going to pubs and nightclubs for basketball socials, they also do more wholesome activities: “We’ve gone to the cinema a couple times, and the Christmas markets recently as well. Those being on your doorstep is kind of crazy.”
In fact, Moss recommends joining a uni society to everyone as an easy way to make friends fast, even if you’re not particularly sporty or outgoing. “Everyone is so welcoming. And it’s not just about competitiveness,” she says. “I’ve made best friends just by saying yes to being on the basketball team.”
It’s a great place to study
Of course, the main reason you come to uni is to develop knowledge you can’t get anywhere else. As well as the library, Solent has lots of centrally located uni study hubs. And in case you want to shake things up, Moss recommends heading to one of the city’s coffee shop. “There are so many different coffee shops to go to. A few new ones have recently opened and it’s a really nice way to get a change of scene.”
It’s the perfect base for exploring the south coast
Speaking of changes of scenery, Southampton couldn’t be better placed for day trips. There’s the historic Netley Abbey a few miles down the road, the New Forest national park close by, beach paradise Bournemouth 20 minutes by train and the Isle of Wight a ferry ride away. But even if you don’t want to travel, it’s easy to find a sense of escapism on your doorstep, as Haysom-Monde explains. “I love being by the waterfront. I think it’s so relaxing, especially by the docks and Ocean Village marina. They are some of the nicest places to go, whether to get dressed up for an evening out, or even just for a walk in the sun.”
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to courses
Southampton Solent has a unique blend of courses such as business management with cybersecurity, CGI and visual effects, interior design and renewable energy engineering, and Moss says that with the courses often driven by student’s passions or career ambitions, it makes it easier to meet like-minded people.
This all contributes to a generally friendly and supportive feel about the place. Solent is a small, compact university in a major city – giving students the best of both worlds as they embark upon adult life. “I like the fact that it’s a smaller uni – it’s like a community,” she says.
Find out more about Southampton Solent University and how to apply
