The University of Southampton is a Russell Group research university on England's south coast, famous for engineering, oceanography, computer science and electronics. It is home to the National Oceanography Centre and one of the UK's strongest engineering faculties, and its graduates are heavily recruited by aerospace, maritime and technology employers. Around 25,000 students study at its campuses in Southampton and Winchester, including a large international community.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK |
| Type | Public Russell Group research university |
| Founded | 1862 (university status 1952) |
| Students | About 25,000 |
| UCAS code | S27 |
Fees (2026/27)
Southampton sets fees per programme, not by a blanket international band. The 2026/27 rate applies to September 2026 and January 2027 entry; September 2027 moves to the 2027/28 rate, typically 3–5% higher.
| Programme (2026/27) | International fee per year |
|---|---|
| BSc Economics | £24,800 |
| BSc Nursing (Adult) | £24,400 |
| BEng Aeronautics and Astronautics | £31,000 |
| BSc Computer Science | £31,000 |
| MSc International Management | £32,500 |
| MSc Computer Science / MSc Artificial Intelligence | £35,000 |
| MSc Finance | £36,300 |
| MBA | £35,600 |
| Medicine (BM5) — pre-clinical years | About £35,900 |
| Medicine (BM5) — clinical years | About £64,900 |
Undergraduate international tuition sits roughly between £24,800 and £31,000 depending on subject, with engineering, computing and life sciences priced higher than business and social sciences. UK undergraduates pay £9,535 a year. International students usually pay a tuition deposit of £2,000 within four weeks of accepting an offer, before the university issues a CAS. The UCAS fee is £34.50.
Scholarships: Southampton offers international merit scholarships, including the International Merit Scholarship and country-specific awards, usually as tuition discounts. Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships also cover Southampton.
Popular programmes
Southampton's flagship programmes are Aeronautics and Astronautics, Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science, Oceanography and Marine Biology, and the Southampton Business School's finance and management degrees. The university is a world leader in photonics and fibre optics, and its National Oceanography Centre makes it one of the best places in the world to study marine science. The Winchester School of Art is also well regarded for design, fashion and fine art.
Admissions and deadlines
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. The equal-consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 (the early deadline for medicine was 15 October 2026). Postgraduate applications go directly to the university; the September 2026 postgraduate deadline was 19 August 2026, and the realistic entries now are the January 2027 intake (selected postgraduate programmes only) or the September 2027 full cycle at the 2027/28 fee year. English requirements are typically IELTS 6.0–6.5 for undergraduate and 6.5 for most postgraduate courses, with PTE and Duolingo accepted for many programmes.
Life in Southampton
Southampton is a port city on the south coast, about 75 minutes by train from London, with a large student population and a busy waterfront. The main Highfield campus is a green site north of the city centre, with strong sports facilities and a famous students' union. Living costs are moderate for southern England — expect roughly £950–£1,200 a month including rent, food and transport.
Frequently asked questions
Is Southampton a Russell Group university? Yes — it is a member of the Russell Group and is particularly strong in engineering and the physical sciences.
How much does Southampton cost for international students? Budget £24,800–£31,000 a year for most undergraduate programmes in 2026/27, plus roughly £11,000–£14,000 a year in living costs.
What is the tuition deposit? £2,000, due within four weeks of accepting your offer. It counts towards your first tuition instalment, and the university issues your CAS after it is paid.
What is the 2027/28 fee? To be confirmed — Southampton publishes 2027/28 international fees per programme, typically 3–5% higher than 2026/27.
Related guides on Pakunii
UCAS Application Guide 2027 · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · IELTS Academic Guide · FAFSA 2027-28 Guide
Sources and verification: University of Southampton course pages 2026/27 (BSc Economics £24,800; BEng Aeronautics and Astronautics £31,000; BSc Computer Science £31,000; MSc Finance £36,300; MBA £35,600; deposit £2,000); UCAS equal consideration 13 January 2027, fee £34.50. Confirm 2027/28 fees on southampton.ac.uk.