University of Southampton

University Information, Campus and History
(Southampton, England)

The University of Southampton is a leading research-led university in the United Kingdom. It is a member of the Russell Group, a network of British research universities, and is one of the top ten research universities in the UK. It has close to 20,000 students and a staff of about 5,000 spread out across seven campuses.

The University was founded on 15 October 1862 by Henry Robinson Hartley, the son of a wine merchant. Hartley Institution, as it was originally called, was renamed Hartley College and later Hartley University College in 1902. Its rapid growth made it necessary to move to its present main campus in Highfield in 1919. It was then affiliated with the University of London, which awarded the degrees.

Hartley University College applied for university status in 1949 and was renamed the University of Southampton in 1952 via a Royal Charter signed by Queen Elizabeth II. With its promotion to university status, the University formed six faculties and was given authority to grant its own degrees.

Today, the University of Southampton has grown into an international university, with 2,000 international students representing 100 different nationalities. It has an overall income in excess of £300 million, of which £111 million comes from its research projects. It ranks highly in assessments by the Research Assessment Exercise and the Quality Assurance Agency, earning it a spot as one of the top universities in the UK.

Facilities

The University of Southampton has a comprehensive library system consisting of seven library sites, one on each of the university campuses. The entire collection is fully accessible through an easy-to-use database system called WebCat, which allows students to search for book titles, authors, or subjects from anywhere within and outside the University.

The university also has excellent sport facilities, mostly offered by the Sport and Recreation Centre. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness suite, and tennis court. The Centre also takes advantage of the University's coastal location, offering a wide range of water sports facilities and courses.

The campus boasts no less than 20 halls of residence, which together are capable of accommodation some 5,000 students. Those in their second and third years often choose to stay off-campus, in nearby areas of Southampton such as Bassett, Bitterne Park, Midanbury, Shirley and Swaythling. Information about student accommodation.

Famous Students

Many University of Southampton graduates have left the University to excel in their chosen fields. The University has produced prominent people in the fields of art, fashion, science, sports, and politics, among others. Some famous graduates are Parliament Member John Yorke Denham, Labour politician George Thomas, model Laura Bailey, TV presenter Liz Barker and quiz show champion Kevin Ashman.

Contact University of Southampton:
Address: University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 5000 Fax: +44 (0)23 8059 3131 Email: admissns@soton.ac.uk Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk