UniHomes guide to
Southampton
Southampton is one of the largest cities on Britain's south coast and welcomes over 35,000 students to its harbourside streets every year.
The University of Southampton has two campuses in the city - the Waterfront campus at the southern tip of the city peninsula, and the Highfield campus (pictured) over on the north side.
Solent University has one self-contained campus right in the centre of Southampton. It's surrounded by lush green spaces, with Hoglands, Houndwell and Palmerstone Park surrounding the main buildings.
Just over the road from Southampton Central train station sits Southampton's premier shopping mall, Westquay.
The docks of Southampton are in Ocean Village at the southern tip of Southampton, and has all sorts of shops and bars to choose from.
Bargate is an eye-catching medieval gatehouse that now functions as a space for public events.
Uni Life in Southampton
Key reasons to study in Southampton
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1Full of history
Southampton has a rich history as one of the UK's most important ports. The RMS Titanic departed from Southampton, which you can find out more about at the dedicated exhibition in the SeaCity Museum. Southampton is also the proud home of Cowes Week, the famous sailing regatta, which you can watch for free on the waterfront in August. If you’re looking for other free cultural activities, check out Southampton City Art Gallery and the Old Town Walls for some fantastic views.
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2See the sea
There are few better cities in the UK for watersports than Southampton. Ocean Village has two watersports centres, as well as a third dedicated specifically to the University of Southampton, running activities like sailing, powerboat courses, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and more. There are more watersports (and the opportunity for a bit of sunbathing in the sunnier months) at Calshot Beach, which you can get to on the 9 Bluestar bus.
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3Shop 'til you drop
For shopping lovers (or anyone who just wants to pick up a sweet treat), Westquay Shopping Centre is the place to be. You'll find all the favourite student brands here, like H&M, Schuh, Apple, and much more. There are also plenty of trusted places to eat inside, like Nando's and Wagamama - just make sure you remember to ask for a student discount!
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4Amazing nightlife
You won't be struggling to find a great night out in Southampton. Jesters and Sobar are two student favourites, and you're bound to end up at Orange Rooms or Popworld while studying in the port city. We'd also recommend Trilogy, which hosts student nights every Tuesday and opens until late. If that's not enough, why not try The Hobbit, England's only Lord of the Rings-themed pub?
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5Efficient transport links
Southampton University student life is made easier with the city’s efficient transport links. The Unilink Bus service connects to different campuses, the city centre, and more. The best thing? It is entirely free for those living in the University of Southampton halls! What’s more, Southampton Central station can easily get you to other major cities like London by train, and you may enjoy the Cycle Freeways if you’re a biker.
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6Places to eat
Student life in Southampton often involves exploring the best foodie spots, and we can certainly give a few recommendations. Uni Kebab is the perfect Turkish takeaway for those on a budget, while you can eat all you can eat at COSMO, a buffet-style restaurant featuring cuisines from all over the world. Sushi lovers will become head over heels for Nara, while POPSI'S Pizza is a safe bet when going out as a large group - it even caters for vegans!
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Universities in Southampton
Solent University
Located right in the centre of Southampton, Solent University is a well-regarded university that welcomes over 10,000 students to its campus every year. Solent teaches a wide range of courses, but is particularly well-known for its academic programmes in sport, health and wellbeing.
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a prestigious Russell Group university that has a main campus up in Highfield, north of the city centre. The university is fabulously well-equipped, with Earth and Ocean science courses being taught at UoS' dedicated Waterfront Campus in Ocean Village.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Aside from having access to the beautiful coast, Southampton students often enjoy this city's vibrant nightlife and Westquay shopping. The city is also said to boast affordable living. Here's what current Southampton student Destiny has to say about student life in the city centre.