Solent University

Undergraduate entry

Applications for the first year of full-time undergraduate courses are made through UCAS. Most undergraduate courses ask for at least two A levels or equivalent qualifications, and entry requirements are set in UCAS Tariff points. Requirements for each course are given on its course page. BTEC qualifications and T Levels are accepted, and T Levels on their own are accepted for foundation and Level 4 (year 1) entry. Offers are either conditional or unconditional.

UCAS dates (2026 entry)

• 14 January 2026, 6pm UK time: equal consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses
• 30 June 2026: later applications go into Clearing
• 24 September 2026: final deadline for 2026 applications

Contextual offers

UK students who apply for a full-time three or four-year undergraduate course and make Solent their firm choice by the equal consideration deadline may receive a contextual offer. To qualify, they must come from an area in IMD quintile 1 or 2, come from a POLAR4 quintile 1 area, or be a care leaver or looked-after child. Meeting one criterion lowers the required UCAS points by at least 16, and meeting two or more lowers them by at least 32. Contextual offers are not available through Clearing.

Interviews, auditions and portfolios

Some courses also require an on-campus or virtual interview, an audition, a portfolio viewing or an electronic portfolio, which applicants book or submit after applying. Applicants who want to join year two or three apply through UCAS and email their transcripts to [email protected].

International undergraduate entry

International applicants can apply through UCAS or through a local agent. Accepted qualifications include high school leaving examinations equivalent to British A levels, the International or European Baccalaureate, and an International Foundation Year. QA Higher Education runs the International Foundation Programme pathway into Solent degrees. For Ghana, for example, the general guide is the West African Higher School Certificate or GCE A levels, and most art and design courses also require a portfolio.

English language

Applicants whose first language is not English must show acceptable written and spoken English. For a Student visa at degree level and above, UK Visas and Immigration may require IELTS 5.5 in all four components or an equivalent. Courses below degree level require a Secure English Language Test (SELT). Pre-sessional English courses are available to help students meet the requirement before they start their degree.

Postgraduate taught entry

Postgraduate applications are made directly to the University. The usual minimum is a British bachelor's degree at 2:2 or a recognised equivalent, and alternative qualifications or related professional experience may be considered. Applicants upload two academic or professional references, certified transcripts (with English language evidence for non-UK students), a passport copy, a current visa if applicable, a personal statement and, where relevant, an employer sponsor form.

Postgraduate research

The Graduate School offers MRes, MPhil and PhD study. Enquiries go to [email protected].

Visas and CAS

Courses longer than six months require a Student visa. Solent issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once the applicant has met all offer conditions, accepted an unconditional offer, completed pre-CAS checks in CAS Shield including an interview, paid the tuition fee deposit and submitted any required financial documents.

How to apply | Advice for international students

• East Park Terrace campus, Southampton city centre (SO14 0YN): the main campus for the four academic schools, including The Spark building, specialist laboratories, studios and workshops, the library and the Student Hub. It has over 200 free cycle spaces and opens 7am to 9pm on weekdays.
• Solent Sports Complex: two sports halls, two fitness studios, a general purpose gym, a high performance gym, a health and fitness gym and sport and exercise therapy clinical space. Gym membership is open to students, staff and the public.
• Test Park Sports Ground: a 3G all-weather floodlit pitch, an FA-level floodlit football pitch and a floodlit rugby pitch, used for football degree practicals and for football, rugby and American football.
• Warsash Maritime School: the maritime simulation centre (part of a £43 million investment in maritime training facilities), an engine room simulator, a fire school, helicopter underwater escape training, a liquid cargo operations simulator, marine engineering workshops, a medical training centre, a pier head for sea safety training and a radio operations centre. The Warsash campus is on Newtown Road, Warsash, Southampton SO31 9ZL.
• Timsbury Lake: the scaled model ship handling centre for pilots, masters and senior ship's officers.

Residences (all in Southampton city centre, with WiFi, 24-hour residence support, social rooms, utility bills and contents insurance included):

• Kimber, St Mary's Place: the closest residence to the main campus, with en-suite rooms and accessible rooms for first-year undergraduates. From £170.10 per week.
• David Moxon, St Mary's Place: en-suite rooms for first-year undergraduates. From £159.25 per week.
• Deanery, Marsh Lane: en-suite flats for undergraduates, postgraduates, maritime officer cadets and exchange students. From £159.25 per week.
• Chantry, Marsh Lane: 208 single study-bedrooms, mostly non-en-suite, with a large common room and maritime officer cadet rooms. From £130.20 per week.