At the University of Southampton you will be part of a vibrant, international community of students and academics, who will inspire, challenge and support you. As a world leader in academic excellence and research, you will have the opportunity to gain a truly global career.
About the University of Southampton
The University of Southampton's reputation and rankings are based on a range of criteria, including entry standards, student satisfaction, staff and student ratio, expenditure on facilities and resources, research quality, and reputation among employers and academics from other institutions. They are also a founding member of the Russell Group, an organisation of 24 top UK universities committed to maintaining the highest research and teaching standards.
Why the University of Southampton
87th in the world
and 14th in the UK
QS World University Rankings (2026)
Twelve subjects
in the top 100 globally
QS World University Rankings (2026)
Founding member
of the Russell Group
The University of Southampton is internationally recognised for excellence:
- 87th in the world and 14th in the UK according to QS World University Rankings (2026)
- Three subjects in the global top 50, according to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Nursing (13); Archaeology (36); Earth and Marine Sciences (40)
- Twelve subjects in the top 100 globally: Geology (51-100 band); Geophysics (51-100 band); Philosophy (51-100 band); Statistics & Operational Research (51-100 band); Physics & Astronomy (75); Medicine (81); Electrical and Electronic Engineering (83); Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (93); Accounting & Finance (97).
- 115th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 and 14th among UK universities listed. Explore the full World University Rankings and UK Best Universities
- 11th in Times Higher Education's (THE) 'Golden Age' universities 2020 - the top 200 institutions founded as universities between 1945 and 1967. Southampton is second among the UK universities featured. Learn more at timeshighereducation.com
- 9th in the UK and 23rd worldwide in the QS World Rankings for Sustainability 2025
- 17th in the Complete University Guide 2026
- 17th overall and 1st in Physiotherapy with 12 subjects in the Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2026
- 19th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
- 22nd overall in The Guardian University Guide 2025
- 20th in the UK according to the Daily Mail University Rankings 2025
The National Student Survey (NSS) gathers feedback from mainly final-year undergraduates about their time in UK universities. Highlights from the NSS 2024 results include:
- 90% of students responded that teaching staff were good at explaining things
- 87% of students responded that their course was intellectually stimulating
- 87% of students were positive about learning resources provided by the University
- 85% of students were positive about the teaching on their course
The University of Southampton is a research-intensive university, with continued substantial growth in research funding and seventh in the UK for the total value of The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grants. They are also a founding partner of SETsquared, the university business incubator ranked number one in the world by UBI Global.
According to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021:
- 92 per cent of their research is world leading or internationally excellent, which assessed the quality of research in UK higher education institution
- Southampton is in the top 10 per cent of UK universities and fourth in the Russell Group for impact demonstrating the real-world benefit of our research
- over 97 per cent of the research environment is world-leading or internationally excellent
Student life
University life is about more than studying; it's about people, new experiences and expanding your social life. The vibrant city is rich in culture with a fascinating history, enriching every student's university experience.
Here are just a few of the ways you can make friends, follow your passions and make a difference during your time at university:
- Over 400 clubs and societies
- Make connections through 40 international societies
- More than 2,500 volunteering opportunities
Explore the university's UK campuses
Each campus is a community of related subject areas, with study spaces, libraries, cafes and restaurants. Some also have gym and sports facilities. No matter which campus your studies are based at, you can use the facilities at any campus.
Highfield is the academic heart of the University and home to social events, sports facilities and the Students' Union.
Boldrewood Innovation is the university's newest campus, and home to engineering and maritime engineering courses and business school. It has a number of world-class testing and research laboratories.
Just minutes from the green spaces of Southampton Common, Avenue Campus is where humanities courses are taught.
Lecture theatres, research labs and practice rooms are located in the South Academic Block of this large teaching hospital. The hospital is to the north of the city centre, with great transport links to all parts of the city.
Located on the dockside in the south of the city, Waterfront Campus is based at The National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). The university's ocean and earth sciences courses are all based here.
Located in the heart of Southampton's Cultural Quarter, the City Centre Campus offers excellent updated study and teaching facilities, surrounded by arts and culture, providing students and staff with a vibrant University experience in the city centre.
OnCampus is based here.
Set next to the River Itchen, Winchester Campus is home to Winchester School of Art (WSA), where students study art, games design, fashion design, and other creative courses.
Right in the centre of the historic city of Winchester, but nestled in green parkland, the campus is a vibrant hub for over 1,500 students.
Follow the link below to start your journey with OnCampus Southampton.