Solent University
Southampton, United Kingdom • Founded 1856 • World Rank #2845
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.
Master's Degree
39 programmes
Solent University lists 39 programmes awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Accounting, Auditing and Strategic Management Accounting
Acting for Screen Performing Arts
Applied Accounting and Finance Finance, Banking & Insurance
Applied AI and Data Science Data Science & Analytics
Applied Sports Injuries, Rehabilitation and Performance Physiotherapy
Clinical Exercise Science Natural Sciences
Commercial Law and Professional Legal Practice Business Law
Creative Direction for Fashion and Beauty Health Sciences
Cyber Security Cyber Security
Digital Fashion Fashion Design
Digital Marketing Marketing
Economics, Finance and Performance Management Finance, Banking & Insurance
Film Production Film & Animation
Fine Art Visual Arts
Forensic Accounting and Auditing Accounting
Football Performance Performing Arts
General Practice (Nursing and Allied Health Professionals) Medicine
Intellectual Property Law and Professional Legal Practice Law
Internal Communication Management Communication Studies
International Maritime Business Business & Management
International Shipping and Logistics Supply Chain & Logistics
International Trade and Maritime Law Law
Logistics Management Supply Chain & Logistics
Luxury Fashion Management Business & Management
Make-up and Hair Design Futures Applied Design
Maritime Education and Training Education & Teaching
Physical Education and School Sport Physics & Astronomy
Post Production in Film and Television Media Studies & Mass Media
Professional Legal Practice Law
Project Management Business & Management
Shipping Operations Music
Software Engineering Software Engineering
Sport Management Business & Management
Sports Broadcast Journalism Media Studies & Mass Media
Strength and Conditioning
Sustainable Building Design Applied Design
Sustainable Marine Craft and Superyacht Design Applied Design
Virtual Production
Visual Communication Communication Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master of Business Administration
3 programmes
Solent University lists 3 programmes awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Global Master of Business Administration Business Administration
Global Master of Business Administration (Financial Management) Finance, Banking & Insurance
Global Master of Business Administration (HRM) Human Resource Management
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
85 programmes
This group collects Solent University's 85 programmes of certificates, diplomas, and foundation or associate programmes — practical entry points or stepping stones toward a degree.
Advanced Palliative and End of Life Care Management and Prescribing Business & Management
Independent Prescribing Practice
International Trade and Maritime Law Law
Social Work Social Work
Social Work Practice Education Education & Teaching
International Business Management Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Interior Design Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Law with Business Law 3 years On-campus
Law with Criminology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Law Law 3 years On-campus
Mechanical Engineering Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Make-Up and Hair Design Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Mental Health Nursing Medicine & Health 3 years On-campus
Media Production Journalism & Media 3 years On-campus
Maritime Business Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Music Business Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Musical Theatre Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health Medicine & Health 3 years On-campus
Psychology with Criminology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Post Production for Film and Television Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Photography Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Prosthetics and Special Effects Design Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Psychology with Sociology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Psychology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Quantity Surveying Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Renewable Energy Engineering Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Sociology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Social Work Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Software Engineering Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Sport and Exercise Psychology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Sport and Exercise Science Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Sport and Exercise Therapy Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Sports Journalism Journalism & Media 3 years On-campus
Sports Coaching and Physical Education Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Shipping and Port Management Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Sport Management Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Television Production Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Yacht Design and Production Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Yacht and Powercraft Design Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Electronic Engineering Engineering & Technology 2 years On-campus
Health and Social Care (Nursing Associate) Social Sciences & Education 2 years On-campus
Health and Social Care (Health Care Assistant Practitioner) Social Sciences & Education 2 years On-campus
Health Care Play Specialism Medicine & Health 2 years Online
Mechanical Engineering Engineering & Technology 2 years On-campus
Renewable Energy Engineering Engineering & Technology 2 years On-campus
Electronic Engineering Engineering & Technology 2 years On-campus
Mechanical Engineering Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Renewable Energy Engineering Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Accountancy and Finance Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Architectural Design and Technology Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Animation Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Adult Nursing Practice Medicine & Health 3 years On-campus
Acting And Performance Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Biomedical Science Medicine & Health 3 years On-campus
Business Management with Digital Technologies Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Business Management with Finance Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Business Management with Marketing Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Business Management Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Computer Games (Art) Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Computer Games Programming And Design Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Criminal Investigation with Psychology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Computer Networks Engineering Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Computer Science Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Construction Project Management Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Criminology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Criminology and Sociology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
CGI and Visual Effects Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Cyber Security Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Digital Music Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Education Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Electronic Engineering Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Event Management Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Fashion and Beauty Media Journalism & Media 3 years On-campus
Fashion Design Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Fashion Photography and Image Production Journalism & Media 3 years On-campus
Fashion Management with Marketing Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Fine Art Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Film Production Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Fashion Styling and Creative Direction Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Football Studies Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Film and Television Journalism & Media 3 years On-campus
Graphic Design Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Interior Design Decoration Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Illustration Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
No programmes match your filter in this level.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Often 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.
