Southampton Institute - In Depth

Founded: 1968.

Site: 2 sites: main campus in Southampton city centre; maritime centre at Warsash.

How to get there: Southampton easily reached by rail (1h hours from London) or coach; by road via M3 or M27. Frequent buses.

Special features: Courses in football studies, yacht and small craft design, media, fine arts valuation.

Awarding body: Nottingham Trent University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc, BEng, LLB.

Length of courses: 3 years; 4 years for eg sandwich courses, extended degrees.

Library & information services: 2 libraries; 110,000 books, 1500 periodicals, 1100 study places. Annual expenditure on information provision, £70 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service: 400+ points with access to library and internet (ratio workstations to students 1:25). IT facilities accessible 12 hours/day.

Other learning facilities: Test tank, computer suite, 1 manned model ship, metrology lab, language labs, advanced manufacturing technology centre, CD-Roms.

Specialist collections: Godden Collection of antiques, ceramics.

Careers: Information, advice and placement service.

Study abroad: 3% of students spend a period abroad.

Student advice & services: Student development, Jobshop, community services, including health centre and chaplain; SU welfare officer.

Amenities: SU block with bank, bookshop, bars, coffee lounge, games rooms.

Sporting facilities: Sports hall, fitness suite, sports field (12 acres) 3 miles from campus, facilities for water sports on Solent (own jetty and facilities).

Accommodation: 70% of first year students in Institute accommodation. 2400 places in halls of residence, most for first years, £80 per week (£88 pw ensuite) without meals, 40 week contracts. Privately owned accommodation costs £45-£50 pw for self-catering, £60 B&B, £76 half-board and weekend meals. 25% of students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £6200 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by institute.

Term time work: Institute allows term-time work for full-time students. Some available on campus through job pool, helping in faculty or services; off-campus jobs posted on noticeboards.

Financial help: £567,000 government funds plus opportunity bursaries; £4000 own funds. 370 students helped. Special help for single parents, self-financing students, mature students; own funds used for those with cash flow problems, late loan cheque, etc. Apply for help to Student Support.

Tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees if publicly funded (ie eligible for a student loan), otherwise up to £1600 pa. International students pay £6800 pa.