Southampton Solent University

Overview

Southampton Solent University is a Teaching Excellence Framework triple Gold higher education institution based in the south of England, which offers students a range of postgraduate courses supported by a rich 160-year history of innovative and modern approaches to training. 

Solent’s campus is centrally located in the city of Southampton and is a hub for a diverse student population in a place where more than 30,000 learners thrive. Postgraduate students can choose courses from nine academic departments, which all boast  industry standard facilities and expert teaching. Solent is home to specialised research labs, along with studios across film, television, photography and art, as well as state-of-the-art lecture theatres and private study spaces. The campus is also home to the University’s active students’ union, various support services, places to eat and drink, and six halls of residence.

Southampton is a mid-sized city on the south coast of England, offering students a vibrant and enjoyable lifestyle by the sea. With museums and galleries, historic buildings and cultural institutions within the city itself, along with miles of stunning coastline to explore, Southampton is a haven for student living. It combines natural and historical wealth with a modern lifestyle, with many bars, clubs, restaurants, pubs and event spaces dotted around the city.

Course and Lecturers

Prospective postgraduate students at Southampton Solent University can explore a wide range of taught and research courses spanning subjects including business, engineering, computing, health and wellbeing, law and more.

The University is noted for its dedication to thorough, personalised learning across its curricula and, with its work-ready approach, commitment to practical teaching. Students  benefit from extended contact time with teachers and tutors, who are individually assigned to students to suit their subject area and academic strengths. Staff have a wealth of industry experience under their belt and are active researchers in their field, feeding new developments and academic discoveries into their teaching material.

Courses are rich with practical approaches and real-world learning opportunities, and many include industry placements or work experience.

Students can select from a number of different qualifications to suit their objectives and current lifestyle. Full master’s degrees including MA and MSc are available, while shorter programmes such as PGCert and PGDip may suit students looking to prepare for a new academic focus or stimulate their career prospects.

Part time and distance learning opportunities are also on offer at the University, with Solent Online Learning acting as a one-stop-shop for virtual learning, online resources and robust support for distance learners.

Entry Requirements

Southampton Solent University maintains a wide range of postgraduate programmes, each with its own specific entry requirements. Applicants will need to meet academic, professional or application performance-based criteria in order to secure a place on their chosen course.

For example, students applying for the MA in Film Production will need to have a 2:2 grade or higher at undergraduate level in a relevant discipline or have industry experience in related fields.

Applicants for the LLM in Intellectual Property Law and Professional Legal Practice will need to demonstrate achievement of a 2:2 grade or above at undergraduate level, across any subject area.

Applicants for the MSc in International Shipping and Logistics should have an undergraduate honours degree at 2:2 level or above, in shipping or maritime studies. Applicants with equivalent professional or international qualifications will be considered. Those combining a degree in any subject area, or a HND in a technical or business subject, with relevant professional experience, will also be considered.

Entry requirements may change over time, so students should check the university website before applying.

Job Prospects

Southampton Solent University has a strong reputation when it comes to positive graduate outcomes, supporting the prospects of its postgraduate students at every opportunity. 

Employability is embedded into all courses at Solent, with course modules drawing from real-world examples and industry-relevant theory, helping students build skills and knowledge that are highly valued by potential employers.

The University’s dedicated hub for employability and advice, Solent Careers, provides students with a comprehensive array of digital and in-person services designed to help them maximise their career prospects – both during and after their studies.

Solent Careers Online also provides students with access to a wide range of jobs, placements or work experience opportunities across many different sectors.

Regular skills workshops, jobs fairs and sector specific presentations mean that students have frequent opportunities to boost their soft skills – such as networking – and leave Solent with a strong CV. .

Support doesn’t stop when a student leaves Solent, either. Graduates become part of a thriving alumni community with access to opportunities long after graduation, including business support and careers advice. 

Accommodation & facilities

Southampton Solent University works to ensure that postgraduate students are able to make the most of the wonderful lifestyle that Southampton has to offer through the provision of quality accommodation options. With halls of residence dotted throughout the city centre – including high-quality options for postgraduates – all within walking distance of Solent’s campus, there is something for every lifestyle preference and budget requirement.

There are four halls of residence available, all of which provide specific rooms for postgraduate students. Each residence is located close to the others – providing the perfect environment for a rich social life, while being walking distance from both the campus and the city centre. Rooms are available on a self-catered basis. 

Some postgraduate students prefer the independent and tailored experience of private accommodation, whether living alone or with friends. The University maintains a directory of accredited student accommodation around the city and its surroundings, making it easy for students to find perfect living arrangements.

Southampton is a diverse and energetic coastal city with a significant student population. It’s easy to get around, well-connected to London and has a buzzing social life for every student, whatever their interest.

Scholarships/Bursaries

Postgraduate students at Southampton Solent University can access a wide range of scholarships and bursaries to support their lifestyle and achieve their academic or professional potential. The funding options offered may be awarded on either a merit- or needs- based basis, or both.

Some of the available scholarships and bursaries include:

The Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship is available to international postgraduate taught applicants applying for January 2025, May 2025 and September 2025 entry. The scholarship offers a £1,500 fee reduction, automatically awarded to eligible international students who achieve a 2:1 equivalency in their previous academic degree (minimum bachelors).Course specific scholarships are also available, including  £10,000 to study the  MSc in Applied AI and Data Science, funded by the Office for Students. 22 places are available, with priority given to students of certain backgrounds.

Alumni of Solent University can receive a tuition fee discount of 20% if they study a postgraduate programme after graduating from a course at the University.

Students can explore the full range of scholarships and bursaries on the University’s website, as well as a range of external funding opportunities available elsewhere.

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