Southampton Solent University

Last updated

Southampton Solent University
Solent University coat of arms.png
Coat of Arms
Solent University
Latin: Solent Universitas
Former name
Solent University (2018–2024)
Southampton Institute of Higher Education (1984–2005)
MottoReady for the future [1]
Type Public
Established2005 – University status [2]
2004 – Degree-awarding powers
1984 – Southampton Institute of Higher Education (merger)
1978 – Southampton College of Higher Education (merger of Colleges of Technology and Art)
1951 – Southampton College of Technology
1932 – School of Navigation, Warsash
1856 – Southampton College of Art
Academic affiliations
 Universities UK
GuildHE
Million+
Endowment £0.81M (2015) [3]
Chancellor Theo Paphitis
Vice-Chancellor Professor James Knowles
Students9,370 HE (2022/23) [4]
Undergraduates 8,285 (2022/23) [4]
Postgraduates 1,080 (2022/23) [4]
Other students
6,815 FE [5]
Location
Southampton, Hampshire
,
England

50°54′29″N1°24′04″W / 50.908°N 1.401°W / 50.908; -1.401
CampusUrban city campus
Colours    Dark red and black
Sporting affiliations
 British Universities and Colleges Sport
Snows Group Hampshire 2
Website www.solent.ac.uk
Southampton-Solent-University-logo.svg

Southampton Solent University (formerly and commonly known as Solent University) is a public university based in Southampton, United Kingdom. It has approximately 10,500 students (2019/20). [6] Its main campus is located on East Park Terrace near the city centre and the maritime hub of Southampton.

Contents

Solent University students are represented by Solent Students' Union, which is based on the East Park Terrace campus. [7]

History

The university's origins can be traced back to a private School of Art founded in 1856, which eventually became the Southampton College of Art. Mergers with the Southampton College of Technology, and later the College of Nautical Studies at Warsash, led to the establishment of the Southampton Institute of Higher Education in 1984.

Southampton Institute became a university on 12 July 2005, adopting the name Southampton Solent University on 15 August that year. [8] [9] [10] [11] Prior to this, Southampton Institute provided assistance to Nottingham Trent University in its provision of business-focused degrees, relating to accountancy, finance and professional ACCA qualifications; some Nottingham Trent University certificates included Southampton Institute/Solent University stamps to indicate this agreement.

In 2015, Solent University came to an agreement with New College of the Humanities, London, whereby it would validate some of their degrees. [12] In November 2017, the Privy Council approved the change of name of Southampton Solent University to Solent University, with effect from 2018. [13] In 2024, the university proposed a return to their previous name, citing 'research that suggests reinstating the location of the university into the name is an important factor in both its collaboration with local and national stakeholders and likely success in future recruitment'. [14] On 24 September 2024, the university officially reverted to its former name, Southampton Solent University. [15]

Since April 2023, the current Vice Chancellor is Professor James Knowles.

Campus

Main campus of Solent University (East park Terrace) Southampton Solent University East Park Terrace Campus.jpg
Main campus of Solent University (East park Terrace)

The university has three primary locations:

Outside of the above, the university also has facilities at external locations:

Halls of residence

The university has five major student Halls complexes:

All the halls are located away from the main teaching buildings. They are all located south east of the city centre, between the St Mary's and Ocean Village areas of Southampton.

Former locations

Academic profile

Rankings
National rankings
Complete (2025) [26] 102
Guardian (2025) [27] 86
Times / Sunday Times (2025) [28] 98

Solent University is a comprehensive university offering programmes across five academic faculties, including the Faculty of Business, Law and Digital Technologies (which incorporates the Solent Business School and the Solent Law School), the Faculty of Creative Industries, Architecture and Engineering, the Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Science, and Warsash Maritime School.

The university generally has a growing reputation, and have been climbing the major league tables year on year - most recently reaching 81st place in the Guardian League Table in 2019. [29]

The university also has strong links with local and regional businesses, professional bodies and industry groups, all with a focus on providing the best routes into the workforce (for example the British Computer Society, Creative Skillset and the PTC). [30] [31]

The student yachting team have often consisted of Olympians and are previous world champions. [32]

Research

The university also has a dedicated Research, Innovation and Enterprise Office, providing a researcher development programme and the Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Awards. [33]

Creative and digital industries

Business and society

Working with private, public and third sector industries, Solent focuses on research areas such as marketing, the 'visitor economy', SME partnerships, international economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation, and cyber-crime. A particular focus is social policy in relation to employment, gender, and diversity in areas ranging from maritime and seafarers, to music and culture.

Sport, health and wellbeing

Solent University has emerged as a provider of academic programmes relating to the study of sport, health and wellbeing. These programmes are informed by research in areas such as sports science, sports development, the sociology of sport, psychology, health and wellbeing, and social care. [34]

A focus of current research is how sport can be used as a vehicle for social change. Research in sports science focuses on strength and conditioning, the physiological basis of human performance in a range of sub-elite and elite sporting environments, and the psychology of the coaching process. The university is also recognised as one of the leading centres for football-based research. [35]

Maritime, technology and environment

Historically, one of the key research strengths of Solent has been in maritime sector. Having run courses in yacht design and boat yard management since the 1970s and then by adding Warsash Maritime Academy with its long history and association with shipping, ports and seafarer training in the late 1990s this is now fully integrated as the Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering.

The focus is on applied research and innovation that affect industry, including a focus on maritime education and training (including the use of technology), employment, health and safety, gender, and welfare. [36] They also have a developing area of research relating to sustainability and resilience, including environmental accounting, life-cycle assessment; environmental impacts, and modelling. Other areas of research include materials science and additive manufacturing; acoustics; computer networks, immersive technologies, multimedia communication, and software engineering; as well as sustainable design and the built environment. It also hosts the China Centre (Maritime). [37]

Media Technology

The Media Technology courses (such as the Broadcast Engineering, Live Sound and Acoustics courses) have now been merged into one 'Live Event Technology' course which covers all of these bases.

This course works closely with Sonar Events as their technical skills are often required on their productions. They also work at festivals in the UK, such as Glastonbury and Boardmasters.

Student life

Student Media

The TV and Live Events Societies [38] at Solent University are covered by the umbrella brand of 'Sonar Events'. These outlets are run entirely by students.

TV station

The student-run television station operated under the name SonarTV; it was founded in 2009 as part of the student media rebrand within the Students' Union. in 2022, SonarTV rebranded to join the Live Events Society to form SonarEvents; the new and current name for the societies.

SonarEvents are the only outlet within the university that can affiliate with NaSTA (The National Student Television Association), and in 2012 was selected to be the joint host for the first-ever NaSTAvision broadcast with Staffs TV of Staffordshire University. [39]

Radio station

The student-run Radio Station is called Radio Sonar. [40] It was founded in 1999 and was originally known as Sin FM.[ citation needed ] The name came from the first 28-day FM radio licence held by the station. After applying for a Low Powered AM (LPAM) licence, the station changed its name to Sin Radio and at the same time became an online radio station; the name was changed to Radio Sonar in 2009. (The rename was in conjunction with all Student Union media, [41] part of the Sonar Media rebrand.) Radio Sonar won the award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Student Radio' at the National Student Radio Conference in 2010 and again in 2011; in 2012, Mel Lewis won Best Female Presenter. Radio Sonar was nominated in the 2014 SRA awards for 'Best Chart Show' and achieved third place. [42]

Sport

Southampton Solent University has a long tradition of sailing, and has won the student national yachting championships on occasions. [43]

Notable alumni

NameNotabilityCourseRef
William Adkin Cricket Player [44]
Joseph Garrett YouTuber Undergraduate - Film and Television [45]
Paul Goodison MBE Olympic Gold medalist in sailingUndergraduate - Maritime Studies
Honorary Doctorate in Sport		 [46]
James Hilton Designer associated with the AKQA agency. [47]
Santiago Lange Olympic Multiple Medalist in Sailing including Gold medal in 2016 Undergraduate - Yacht & Boat Design Diploma [48]
Camille Lepage French photojournalist
Helena Lucas MBE Paralympic Gold medalist in sailingUndergraduate - Yacht & Powercraft Design BEng
Honorary Doctorate of Sport		 [49] [50]
Una Nwajei England women's footballer
Jenny Packham Fashion DesignerUndergraduate - Fashion
Honorary Doctorate of Design		 [51]
David Quayle Co-founder of B&Q
Jonathan Ross OBETV and radio presenterApprox 1978 Southampton College of Art [52] [53]
Ricky Whittle ActorUndergraduate - Criminology and Law [54]
Sean Yazbeck Entrepreneur and Reality TV StarUndergraduate - Media with Cultural Studies
Honorary Doctorate of Business		 [55]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Sussex</span> University in Brighton and Hove, UK

The University of Sussex is a public research university located in Falmer, East Sussex, England. It lies mostly within the city boundaries of Brighton and Hove. Its large campus site is surrounded by the South Downs National Park, and provides convenient access to central Brighton 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) away. The university received its royal charter in August 1961, the first of the plate glass university generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial College London</span> Public university in England

Imperial College London (Imperial) is a public research university in London, England. Its history began with Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, who envisioned a cultural area in South Kensington that included museums, colleges, and the Royal Albert Hall. In 1907, these colleges – the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines, and the City and Guilds of London Institute – merged to form the Imperial College of Science and Technology.

The University of Brighton is a public university based in Brighton on the south coast of England. Its roots can be traced back to 1858 when the Brighton School of Art was opened in the Royal Pavilion. It achieved university status in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglia Ruskin University</span> British university

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a public university located in East Anglia, United Kingdom. Its origins trace back to the Cambridge School of Art (CSA), founded by William John Beamont, a Fellow of Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, in 1858. The institution became a university in 1992 and was renamed after John Ruskin, the Oxford University professor and author, in 2005. Ruskin delivered the inaugural speech at the Cambridge School of Art in 1858. ARU is classified as one of the "post-1992 universities." The university's motto is in Latin: Excellentia per societatem, which translates to Excellence through partnership in English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Southampton</span> Research university in Southampton, England

The University of Southampton is a public research university in Southampton, England. Southampton is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Hamble</span> River in south Hampshire, England

The River Hamble in south Hampshire, England, rises near Bishop's Waltham and flows for 10.1 km (6.3 mi) through Botley, Bursledon, and Lower Swanwick before entering Southampton Water between Hamble Common and Warsash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Surrey</span> Public university in Guildford, England

The University of Surrey is a public research university in Guildford, Surrey, England. The university received its royal charter in 1966, along with a number of other institutions following recommendations in the Robbins Report. The institution was previously known as Battersea College of Technology and was located in Battersea Park, London. Its roots however, go back to Battersea Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1891 to provide further and higher education in London, including its poorer inhabitants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of the West of England</span> University in South Gloucestershire, UK

The University of the West of England is a public research university, located in and around Bristol, England, UK. With more than 39,912 students and 4,300 staff, it is the largest provider of higher education in the South West of England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancaster University</span> Public university in Lancaster, England

Lancaster University is a public research university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established in 1964 by royal charter, as one of several new universities created in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Essex</span> Public university in Essex, England

The University of Essex is a public research university in Essex, England. Established by royal charter in 1965, it is one of the original plate glass universities. The university comprises three campuses in the county, in Southend-on-Sea and Loughton with its primary campus in Wivenhoe Park, Colchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham City University</span> University in Birmingham, England

Birmingham City University is a university in Birmingham, England. Initially established as the Birmingham College of Art with roots dating back to 1843, it was designated as a polytechnic in 1971 and gained university status in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Lincoln</span> Public university in Lincoln, England

The University of Lincoln is a public research university in Lincoln, England, with origins dating back to 1861. It gained university status in 1992 and its present name in 2001. The main campus is in the heart of the city of Lincoln alongside the Brayford Pool. There are satellite campuses across Lincolnshire in Riseholme and Holbeach and graduation ceremonies take place in Lincoln Cathedral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arts University Bournemouth</span> Art and media university in Bournemouth, England

Arts University Bournemouth is a public university in Poole, England, specialising in art, architecture, film, performance, and design. Established in 1880, the university has been ranked Silver and Gold by the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2017, and was rated Outstanding by Ofsted, having retained this highest ranking since 2018. The Bournemouth Film School, a division of the university, was established in 1963 and is a full member of CILECT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solent Way</span> Long-distance footpath in Hampshire, England

The Solent Way is a long-distance footpath in Hampshire, southern England. For the most part, the path follows the coast of the Solent, the sea strait that separates mainland Britain from the Isle of Wight. The Solent Way forms part of the King Charles III England Coast Path, as well as part of the E9 European Coastal Path, which runs for 5000 km (3125 miles) from Cape St Vincent in Portugal to Narva-Jõesuu in Estonia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IIT Madras</span> Research Institute in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras is a public technical university located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the eight public Institutes of Eminence of India. As an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), IIT Madras is also recognised as an Institute of National Importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southampton</span> City in Hampshire, England

Southampton is a port city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately 80 miles (130 km) southwest of London, 20 miles (32 km) west of Portsmouth, and 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Salisbury. Southampton had a population of 253,651 at the 2011 census, making it one of the most populous cities in southern England.

Warsash Maritime School, formerly Warsash Maritime Centre and Warsash Maritime Academy, is a maritime training college that is part of Solent University. The college provides education, training, consultancy and research to the international shipping and off-shore oil industries. It is one of the United Kingdom's colleges responsible for the training of the British Merchant Navy. The courses on offer cover a wide range of maritime education and training from deck and engineer officer cadetships, including degree pathways, to senior officer certificates of competency, together with the associated safety training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southampton College</span> Further education college in Southampton, Hampshire, England

Southampton College, formerly known as Southampton City College, is a general further education college located in Southampton, Hampshire, England. Since 2023 it has been part of the South Hampshire College Group (SHCG), along with Eastleigh and Fareham colleges.

Captain Roy Henry Stanbrook was Chief Executive of the Gibraltar Port Authority and Captain of the Port in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar before becoming the Harbour Master of the Port of Melbourne, Victoria in April 2014. His position prior to the 2012 appointment was that of Harbour Master for the Lower District of the Port of London Authority in the United Kingdom. He was succeeded by Gibraltarian Captain Bob Sanguinetti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalifa University</span> University in the United Arab Emirates

Khalifa University is a research, innovation and enterprise-intensive public university located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Khalifa University's current president, His Excellency Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, was appointed in July 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "Our Coat of Arms". Solent University. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Our history". Solent University. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  3. ↑ https://www.solent.ac.uk/about/documents/financial-statements-2014-15.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. 1 2 3 "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency . Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  5. ↑ "Table 0a – All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07" (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet). Higher Education Statistics Agency . Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  6. ↑ "Where do HE students study?" . Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "Solent Students' Union Official website".
  8. ↑ "About Us". Southampton Solent University. 12 February 2006. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  9. ↑ "Southampton Solent University". Contensis. 10 October 2005. Archived from the original on 9 July 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  10. ↑ "About Us". Southampton Solent University. 12 February 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  11. ↑ "Solent University - Find UK University | AHZ Associates". 8 April 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  12. ↑ Morgan, John (30 July 2015). "Southampton Solent to validate £18K New College of the Humanities degrees". Times Higher Education . Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "11 November 2018" (PDF). Privy Council of the United Kingdom . Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  14. ↑ Students, Office for (14 March 2024). "Office for Students seeks views on proposed new name for Solent University - Office for Students". www.officeforstudents.org.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  15. ↑ Solent press team (24 September 2024). "Southampton Solent University Celebrates City Roots with New Name". Southampton Solent University. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  16. ↑ "City campus buildings - Around the campus - Portal - Southampton Solent University". portal.solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  17. ↑ "Maps - Around the campus - Portal - Southampton Solent University". portal.solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  18. 1 2 3 "Financial Statements for the year ended 2011" (PDF).
  19. ↑ "Re:So". www.solent.ac.uk.
  20. ↑ "Financial Statements for the year ended 2021" (PDF).
  21. ↑ "Financial Statements for the year ended 2022" (PDF).
  22. ↑ "Southampton University Acquires Sir James Matthews Building".
  23. ↑ "Prime city centre site changes hands after surprise purchase". Daily Echo. 24 June 2022.
  24. ↑ "WARSASH MARITIME ACADEMY CADET TRAINING RELOCATION PROJECT – UPDATE 10 MAY 2017" (PDF).
  25. ↑ "Warsash Maritime School move from St Mary's to East Park Terrace". www.solent.ac.uk.
  26. ↑ "Complete University Guide 2025". The Complete University Guide. 14 May 2024.
  27. ↑ "Guardian University Guide 2025". The Guardian. 7 September 2024.
  28. ↑ "Good University Guide 2025". The Times. 20 September 2024.
  29. ↑ "University league tables 2019". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  30. ↑ "Solent Skillset Media Academy". www.solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  31. ↑ "Industry recognition". solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  32. ↑ "University Profile". The Times. London. 21 August 2007. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2007.
  33. ↑ "Research, innovation and enterprise". solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  34. ↑ http://documents.hants.gov.uk/supporting-troubled-families/STFPProjectupdateJuly2017.pdf [ permanent dead link ]
  35. ↑ "The Lawrie McMenemy Centre for Football Research". solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  36. ↑ "The GEM Project". www.solent.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  37. ↑ "Innovation and enterprise - China Centre Maritime". solent.ac.uk. Solent University. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  38. ↑ "Bye Law 11 – Clubs and Societies". bamstudent.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  39. ↑ "NaSTA on Tour: Episode 1". NaSTA.tv. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  40. ↑ "Radio Sonar – Solent University's Student Radio Station". Radio Sonar. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. ↑ "Radio Sonar". solentsu.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020.
  42. ↑ "2014 Award Winners". Student Radio Association. 28 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  43. ↑ "Solent University Crowned World Student Yachting Champions 2010!". busa.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  44. ↑ "Player profile: William Adkin". CricketArchive. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  45. ↑ Sperling, Nicole (30 July 2014). "'Minecraft' master Stampylonghead on gaming and Hollywood". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  46. ↑ "Paul Goodison - Sheffield's 2012 Olympic sailing hero". 16 January 2010.
  47. ↑ "net magazine - creative bloq" . Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  48. ↑ Lange, Santiago (22 April 2021). "Chapter 3". Wind: The Journey of My Life Hardcover. PANTAURO. ISBN   9783710550096.
  49. ↑ "Helena Lucas Official Website" . Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  50. ↑ "Paralympic gold medallist awarded honorary degree". 25 November 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  51. ↑ "Solent alumna becomes the latest Southampton City of Culture 2025 ambassador | Solent University".
  52. ↑ Hellomagazine.com (8 October 2009). "Jonathan Ross. Biography, news, photos and videos". hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  53. ↑ "BiographyScoop, Jonathan Ross Bio, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Show, BBC, Channel 4, TV Shows". 23 January 2023.
  54. ↑ "It's Where He Is Going to Be". CIVILIAN MAGAZINE.
  55. ↑ "The Apprentice USA winner gives £100K to Southampton university as thank you". Daily Echo. 28 July 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.