Prepare them for a global futureParents’ and supporters’ guide 2012

3 Introduction

4 Teaching and learning

6 Campus life

8 Accommodation

10 Money matters

12 Careers

14 Health, welfare and safety

15 Find out more

Contents

If they choose to study here, your son or daughter will join a community of some of the most talented academics and students from around the world. We are one of the UK’s leading research universities and rated among the top 100 in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2010–11. Our students are taught by experts at the forefront of their disciplines, and our flexible courses are designed to develop the analytical skills that will give them the edge in today’s competitive job market.

We are committed to ensuring that our courses are accessible to the most talented and ambitious students, whatever their financial circumstances. In response to the government’s new funding arrangements for higher education, we are introducing a raft of measures including some of the most generous fee waivers and bursaries in the sector.

Of course, there’s more to university life than study. Your son or daughter will be part of a diverse, friendly campus community with access to superb sporting, leisure and social amenities. Our students also enjoy the benefits of living in a lively, modern city within easy reach of the coast and areas of natural beauty.

From our academic approach to practical matters such as accommodation and finance, this guide contains the information you need to support your son or daughter in the choices they make about their future. Whatever they decide, we wish them every success in their studies.

Going to university is a life-changing step for your son or daughter, and a big investment in their future. As a parent, you have a vital role to play in supporting and guiding them as they embark on this key stage of their life.

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Find out more

For more information about learning and teaching and frequently asked questions about university life, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/parents

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An outstanding education

The most recent review by the Quality Assessment Agency, which monitors standards of teaching in the UK, awarded us the highest level of achievement for our education provision.

Our reputation for breaking new ground has enabled us to maintain our prestigious status as one of the UK’s top research universities. We are a member of the Russell Group, an association of 20 major UK universities, and in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008) most of our research was considered to be world leading or internationally excellent.

Teaching

Working with internationally renowned academics who are leaders in their disciplines, your son or daughter will benefit from the most up-to-date thinking in their subject area. Changes to our courses will give them the flexibility to study modules outside their core discipline.

We encourage students to work and learn independently using a variety of methods, including innovative virtual learning environments which give students access to their course information online. Our aim is to help them develop the analytical skills that will be essential for their future careers.

Our programmes are challenging, but we provide a supportive learning environment to ensure our undergraduates excel in their chosen field. Each student is allocated an academic advisor to support their independent learning and give advice on academic or day-to-day matters.

Facilities and learning resources

Our five campuses are home to world-class facilities. Over recent years we have made significant investments in our facilities to ensure we continue to offer students one of the best learning environments in the UK.

Our five libraries hold almost three million books, journals and reports, including specialist resources for medicine, art and design and the UK’s largest collection of oceanographic literature. In addition we have invested £10m in state-of-the-art learning facilities at the Hartley Library on the Highfield Campus. Specialist facilities include our £3m Archaeology Building and the Mountbatten Building, a £55m development which includes cutting-edge clean room complexes for research in nanotechnology and photonics.

Our campuses provide the superb IT facilities you would expect in a modern university environment. There are over 2,000 computer workstations across the University, numerous wireless internet access areas and all rooms in our halls of residence have a high-speed internet connection.

We have a global reputation for teaching and research, exceptional facilities and academics working at the forefront of their fields. In addition, our flexible curriculum will give your son or daughter the opportunity to expand their knowledge beyond their discipline, perhaps by choosing to study a second language or exploring a global challenge in another subject area.

Teaching and learning

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Our vibrant campuses offer a wealth of leisure and social facilities, all within easy reach. We encourage our students to experience all that the University has to offer through the Southampton Entitlement. Under this unique scheme, your son or daughter will receive a financial credit to spend on a range of services according to their interests and needs, such as sports centre membership, events at our leading arts venues and public transport.

Sports facilities

Based on the main Highfield Campus, the Jubilee Sports Centre is an £8.5m complex housing a six-lane, 25 metre swimming pool and split-level gym with 170 fitness stations. Other indoor facilities include a climbing wall and martial arts studio, while our outdoor sports complex, just three miles from Highfield, includes grass and synthetic pitches as well as eight floodlit tennis courts.

Southampton’s coastal location means that we can offer an unrivalled range of water-based activities such as windsurfing and sailing. We are a Royal Yachting Association-recognised watersports teaching centre and have our own boat hard.

Close to Highfield, the Southampton Sports Centre has a dry ski slope, all-weather pitches and tennis courts. There is also a municipal golf course and swimming and diving complex nearby.

Arts and entertainment

The Highfield Campus is home to three superb arts venues. The Nuffield Theatre stages award-winning productions that frequently tour internationally. In addition it hosts productions by touring companies and shows by top comedians. For music lovers, a programme ranging from jazz, folk and world music to the great classical works is on offer at Turner Sims, one of the UK’s leading music venues. The John Hansard Gallery has a reputation for innovative shows by acclaimed UK and international artists.

Students can benefit from discounted tickets to shows and performances, and there are ample opportunities to get more involved in the arts through our clubs and societies.

The University is an integral part of the diverse, multicultural city of Southampton. Beyond campus, students can take advantage of a vibrant mix of culture and entertainment at the city’s arts venues, cinemas, bars and restaurants.

Social activities

The Southampton University Students’ Union (SUSU) is the hub of campus social life. The main complex on the Highfield Campus, which has benefited from a £6m refurbishment, has a great range of facilities including a nightclub, cinema, cafés and bars. SUSU runs a packed programme of entertainment throughout the year, including Freshers’ Week events for new students at the beginning of each academic year.

SUSU also funds more than 240 clubs and societies, including 25 dedicated international societies. From astrology to trampolining, there is something for everyone to get involved in.

Getting around

All campus facilities are within easy reach of our halls of residence on foot or by bicycle. In addition, our award-winning uni-link bus service connects the Southampton campuses and halls as well as Southampton Airport, the two mainline railway stations and the city centre. Students living in halls of residence have unlimited free access to the uni-link service.

Students at our Winchester campus enjoy a full range of facilities on site, and there are regular bus and train services between Southampton and Winchester.

Southampton’s excellent transport links make it easy to travel further afield. Central London is just over an hour away and the city has two railway stations with direct trains to many parts of the UK, including London Waterloo, which is in easy reach of the Eurostar at St Pancras International. Southampton also has its own airport which offers regular flights to UK and major European destinations.

Campus life

Find out more

For further information about our campuses and frequently asked questions about university life, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/parents

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Living and learning at Southampton is an enriching experience

Life in halls

Around 11 per cent of our accommodation is part-catered, offering a wide range of freshly prepared hot and cold food, with vegetarian options at every mealtime. Halal and Kosher foods are also available. Self-catered halls have well-equipped kitchens and there are cafés and restaurants across all our campuses.

Every hall of residence is equipped with a launderette and has a food shop on site or nearby. All halls have open-access PC workstations and rooms in all Southampton halls come with high-speed internet access plus a telephone with an individual number, voicemail and free internal calls.

Getting around couldn’t be simpler. There is easy access from halls to campus on foot or by bike, and most halls have extensive, secure cycle storage. Our uni-link bus service connects Southampton-based halls of residence, the city centre and local transport links throughout the day.

Safety first

We are committed to maintaining a secure environment for our students. Our halls are situated in or near residential areas, are well lit and equipped with security systems. Security staff are on call to hall sites throughout the night.

Each hall also has a Residence Support Service, comprising staff and students who can point residents in the right direction for any help they need and ensure a secure environment that is conducive to study.

Private rentals

Another option for students is privately rented accommodation. Once they have accepted an offer to study here, students can access a list of more than 2,000 privately rented rooms in the Southampton and Winchester areas that meet required safety standards. The list is produced by the Southampton Accreditation Scheme for Student Housing (SASSH), in which we are a key partner.

Costs

Our accommodation offers value for money, with fees starting from around £74 per week, rising to £178 per week depending on the facilities and catering options your son or daughter chooses.

No deposit is required for first-year undergraduates living in halls, and the fees include all utility bills, internet connection, membership of the junior common room social club and, in Southampton, unlimited use of the uni-link bus service.

*Providing they make us their first choice, apply by 1 August in the year in which their studies begin, are unaccompanied and normally live outside the Southampton city boundary (or Winchester boundary, if they are studying at Winchester School of Art).

Our 20 halls of residence vary in size, location and character, but all offer excellent value for money. With a guaranteed offer of a place in halls for first-year undergraduates,* your son or daughter will enjoy a welcoming and secure environment at the University of Southampton.

Accommodation

Find out more

For further information about our accommodation and frequently asked questions about university life, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/parents or see our accommodation guide

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Our vibrant and diverse halls of residence are a great place to make new friends

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Tuition fees

The standard annual fee for full-time undergraduate study for UK and EU students enrolling in 2012/13 will be £9,000.*† However, our generous tapered fee waiver system will mean fees as low as £6,000 per year for students from lower-income households. In addition, we have eliminated most additional costs from our academic programmes, such as charges for compulsory field trips.

Your son or daughter won’t need to pay the fees up front themselves. Most UK and EU students can apply for a government loan to cover the costs, which is repayable only once they are earning over £21,000 a year. After that, they will repay nine per cent of their income above £21,000. For a graduate with a starting salary of £25,000, for example, this would mean repaying £30 per month.

Other expenses

As well as tuition fees, there are likely to be some additional course-related expenses to take into account such as core text books and stationery. Your son or daughter will also need to budget for accommodation and everyday personal expenditure.

Government grants and loans

Government loans are available to cover tuition fees and help with living costs such as food and accommodation. Non-repayable grants for living costs are also available, based on household income.

The Southampton Entitlement

As part of our aim to enhance our students’ experience at university, every undergraduate will receive the Southampton Entitlement each year. This is a £300 credit which your son or daughter can spend on the services of their choice. These might include membership of our sports facilities, access to campus arts venues or local public transport.

University bursaries

Our £300,000 bursary programme supports students from lower-income households from schools and colleges in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

There is also limited assistance available from the University’s Access to Learning Fund, a discretionary fund offering help for students who are experiencing significant financial hardship.

We are committed to ensuring that the most talented and ambitious students can benefit from our world-class programmes regardless of their financial circumstances.

Money matters

Our students have access to a wealth of information and support on financial matters to help them make the most of their Southampton experience

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Find out more

For further information about money matters and frequently asked questions about university life, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/parents or see our guide to student finance

For an estimate of the cost of university study and the support your son or daughter could receive, visit our student finance calculator at www.southampton.ac.uk/calculator

For government information about student finance, visit the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website www.bis.gov.uk/policies/higher-education/students/student-finance

Rewarding excellence

The University is committed to recognising and rewarding academic excellence in all subject areas, and offers a variety of entrance and progression scholarships for talented students. Annual awards may be offered by individual academic units, with a number of additional scholarships for international students across several subject areas. Your son or daughter won’t need to apply for a scholarship – they are awarded on the basis of students’ applications and qualifications.

Part-time and holiday work

Many students take part-time work during term time and vacations. Our Career Destinations service can provide advice and information about part-time and temporary jobs as well as paid internship opportunities. Students can also sign up to our Temp Bank scheme, which offers part-time and temporary work within the University that is designed to accommodate student timetables.

Advice and information

Our Money Doctors scheme provides the tools to help students to take control of their finances. In addition, we have a dedicated Financial Information and Assistance team and a Students’ Union Advice and Information Centre, both of which can offer guidance to students who have queries or concerns about their finances.

*Subject to approval by the Office of Fair Access.

† Different fees apply for international students, those from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and part-time students.

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Personal development

To be successful in their chosen career, your son or daughter will need to demonstrate a broad range of skills and experience as well as academic success. Our undergraduate programmes place transferable skills, such as independent thinking, problem solving and teamwork, at their heart. These skills are highly valued by recruiters.

We believe in helping our students to consider the career options that are right for them and develop the necessary skills to pursue their chosen path. Work placements and internships, our Community Volunteering scheme and student enterprise initiatives are just some of the opportunities that could enable your son or daughter to gain valuable hands-on experience.

Career Destinations

If they choose to study here, your son or daughter will be able to take advantage of our Career Destinations service throughout their time as a student and after they graduate.

Career Destinations will help them to build up the knowledge, attitudes and career management skills to help them make important decisions about their future career. Services include:

– the Graduate Passport initiative, which helps students to plan career-related activities and gather evidence of their achievements

– support in gaining work experience and exploring career options

– an extensive vacancy database of permanent posts for graduates

– opportunities to attend talks and workshops on a host of topics including interview techniques and CV writing, many led by major employers

– access to five high-profile careers fairs, which attract over 150 local, national and international graduate recruiters

– a comprehensive careers library and careers advice website to support all their career planning activities

Further study

Many of our students choose to continue their academic careers, and we offer a range of masters degrees and doctoral programmes. Our worldwide reputation for teaching and research excellence, coupled with our cutting-edge facilities, mean we can provide a solid foundation for postgraduate study.

A global alumni network

When they graduate, your son or daughter will join our global alumni community. With more than 167,000 graduates all over the world, this opens up a wealth of networking opportunities.

As a University of Southampton graduate, your son or daughter will be in good company. Our alumni include John Sopel, BBC news presenter; Chris Packham, wildlife expert and television presenter; Caroline Wyatt, BBC Defence Correspondent and leading Formula 1 engineer Adrian Newey.

A degree from the University of Southampton will give your son or daughter the edge in today’s competitive job market. Of our 2008/09 undergraduates, 91 per cent were either employed or undertaking further study six months after graduation, and The Sunday Times 2010 University Guide ranked us among the top 20 UK universities for graduate starting salaries.

Careers

Find out more

For further information about careers and frequently asked questions about university life, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/parents

Having completed an MEng in AerospaceEngineering and an Engineering Doctorate atSouthampton, Dr Simon Lewis (pictured) is nowundertaking a Knowledge Transfer Partnership atCJR Propulsion. Simon is investigating the propellerand stern gear design and performance on luxuryyachts to improve boat speed, fuel efficiency andminimise the noise and vibration felt on board

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Health and welfare

We recommend that all students register with a doctor when they arrive at Southampton. There are two GP practices on the University’s main Highfield Campus as well as a number of local practices in Southampton and Winchester. There is also a dental surgery on Highfield Campus.

Every student has their own academic advisor who will give ongoing support and advice and can refer students to specialist help where necessary. Students can access qualified counsellors through the University Counselling Service, or can call Nightline, a confidential listening and information service run by the Students’ Union and staffed by fully trained student volunteers.

Spiritual care

Our Chaplaincy Centre provides friendship, care and spiritual guidance to all students and welcomes all members of the University – of any faith or none. There is also a separate Muslim prayer room with washing facilities on campus.

International students

The International Office provides advice and support for international students throughout their studies. It also runs the International Student Welcome Programme, which helps new international students settle in to university life before term begins. The University’s Centre for Language Study offers free, dedicated courses for all international students.

Disabled students

The University provides a range of specialist support services for students who have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, or a disability that includes a sensory loss, mental health or physical health condition.

From their first enquiry to the University through to graduation and beyond, disabled students can receive support from the University’s Enabling Services. This could cover academic activities, personal assistance or additional exam arrangements.

The Wessex Needs Assessment Centre can help students access Disabled Students’ Allowances as well as offering ongoing support and guidance.

For students with a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, Dyslexia Services offers initial screening through to specialised study skills tuition. Students can also access the Assistive Technology Service, which provides quiet study environments equipped with a range of enabling technologies.

Safety

Southampton is a welcoming and diverse city and the University is committed to student safety. The highest safety standards are in place across all our facilities.

Our halls sites have well-lit pathways and walkways and robust entry systems, with out-of-hours cover from security staff and the Residence Support Service. The uni-link bus service provides safe, reliable transport including night buses at weekends, and the Students’ Union also operates a late-night safety bus service from the Highfield Campus that can take students right to their door.

We work closely with the police, Southampton City Council and other partners to continually promote and reinforce student safety messages.

We are committed to creating a community in which every student can flourish. Our aim is to ensure a safe, secure and healthy environment that provides opportunities for all.

Health, welfare and safety

Find out more

For further information about health, welfare and safety and frequently asked questions about university life, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/parents

For more information about the University of Southampton and frequently asked questions about university life – from accommodation to careers after graduation – visit www.southampton.ac.uk/parents

Find out more

Relevant web links are shown throughout the parents’ and supporters’ guide. Please also consult www.southampton.ac.uk/parents for further details and/or any changes which have appeared since first publication of the parents’ and supporters’ guide or phone +44 (0)23 8059 5000 for more information.

DisclaimerThis document is for information purposes only and is prepared well in advance of publication. While the University of Southampton uses all reasonable efforts to ensure that all statements, information and data contained in this document are accurate as at the date of publication, it reserves the right to make revisions or modifications to such statements, information or data at any time and accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any such revisions or modifications. © University of Southampton 2011

This document can be made available, on request, in alternative formats such as electronic, large print, Braille or audio tape, and in some cases, other languages.

www.southampton.ac.uk/parents

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