Solent University
Southampton, United Kingdom • Founded 1856 • World Rank #2845
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 2004, the Solent University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium city of Southampton (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), South East England.
This institution also has a branch campus in Warsash. Officially recognized/chartered by the Privy Council, Solent University (Solent) is a medium-sized coeducational UK higher education institution.
Solent University (Solent) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 20-year-old UK higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this UK higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. Solent also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where Solent University is located and how to contact its offices. Disability and accessibility information is usually held by a separate student services office worth contacting directly.
Academic Details
Solent University's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.
Academic Structures
The departmental layout below shows how Solent University groups subjects, faculties, and teaching units. Subject grouping reflects institutional priorities, research strengths, and historical evolution.
Unit 6 items
- Business School
- School of Art, Design and Fashion
- School of Business, Law and Communications
- School of Media, Arts and Technology
- School of Sport, Health and Social Sciences
- Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering
Degrees
Solent University offers degrees across multiple levels. Full-time, part-time, and sandwich (with placement year) modes change total time commitment and total cost meaningfully.
Foundation 4 programs
Foundation programmes prepare students academically for degree-level study across multiple subject areas.
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Law
- Service Trades
Bachelor's 11 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Architecture and Planning
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Information Sciences
- Law
- Natural Sciences
- Performing Arts
- Service Trades
- Welfare and Protective Services
Master's 11 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Architecture and Planning
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Information Sciences
- Law
- Natural Sciences
- Performing Arts
- Service Trades
- Welfare and Protective Services
Doctoral 11 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Architecture and Planning
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Information Sciences
- Law
- Natural Sciences
- Performing Arts
- Service Trades
- Welfare and Protective Services
Diploma & Certificate 6 programs
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Architecture and Planning
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Law
- Service Trades
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Business, Sport and Enterprise (Faculty) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Health Sciences
- Management
- Marketing
- Modern Languages
- Social Sciences
- Sports
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Creative Industries (Faculty) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Acting
- Advertising and Publicity
- Communication Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Fashion Design
- Film
- Fine Arts
- Journalism
- Media Studies
- Photography
- Social Work
- Visual Arts
- Writing
Maritime and Technology (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Nautical Science
- Technology
Programs Offered
Browse Solent University's programmes by level, or filter by name to find a specific course. The grouping helps when you have a target qualification tier but want to compare specific programme content.
127 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 71 programmes
Showing 10 of 71.
Master of Business Administration 3 programmes
Master's Degree 42 programmes
Showing 10 of 42.
Foundation 6 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 3 programmes
Postgraduate Diploma 2 programmes
How to apply to Solent University
A short guide to applying to Solent University — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Solent University runs 127 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Before applying to Solent University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United Kingdom.
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3
Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Solent University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Lodge your application through the official website (www.solent.ac.uk). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (23) 8201 3000. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Solent University
A short Q&A covering Solent University's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.
When did Solent University open?
Solent University traces its founding to 1856 (approximately 170 years ago).
What city is Solent University in?
Solent University operates from Southampton, United Kingdom.
Is Solent University public or private?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How big is Solent University's student body?
Solent University serves approximately 9,000-9,999 students.
Where does Solent University stand in university rankings?
Solent University is ranked #2845 globally and #120 in United Kingdom.
What programmes are available at Solent University?
Solent University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How is Solent University organised academically?
Solent University has 6 academic units.
Is Solent University accredited?
Solent University is accredited by Privy Council.
Where can I learn more about Solent University?
You can find Solent University online at www.solent.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
The leading universities in the United Kingdom are listed below — useful for sizing Solent University against the country's top tier. Top-tier institutions in the United Kingdom typically set admissions standards that downstream universities track.
Members of Universities UK
Member-only fellowships through Universities UK are open to students at Solent University and the universities below. These can be less competitive than open competitions because the applicant pool is narrower.
Faculties at nearby universities
Below are universities sharing regional libraries and consortia with Solent University. Library reciprocity and shared databases can extend research access beyond what any single institution offers alone.
Where Else to Study Arts, Design & Architecture
If Solent University is on your shortlist for studying Arts, Design & Architecture, these peer institutions in the United Kingdom offer comparable academic depth, industry links, and graduate outcomes. Cross-applying to multiple is common practice in this discipline.
Universities Compared with Solent University
Yield rates (proportion of admitted students who enroll) cluster among peer institutions. High-yield universities signal strong applicant preference compared to peers at the same selectivity level.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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