University of Southampton

Southampton, UK

QS World 2026 · #80

A Russell Group university known for Engineering and one of the UK's only dedicated AI degrees.

About Southampton

Southampton is one of a small number of UK universities offering a dedicated BEng/MEng Artificial Intelligence degree, alongside long-standing strength in Electronics and Engineering more broadly. Its Ocean and Earth Science research, run in partnership with the National Oceanography Centre, is among the best regarded in the UK.

Why students choose it

  • Dedicated BEng/MEng Artificial Intelligence degree, uncommon in the UK
  • Strong Electronics and Engineering reputation
  • Ocean and Earth Science research in partnership with the National Oceanography Centre

🎓 Free application support for Southampton

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Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 36

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

£28,000–£38,000/yr

high tier for UK — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Southampton

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Southampton's financial aid office.

Beyond government-level awards, most UK universities offer their own merit-based international scholarships — commonly a partial tuition reduction for strong A-Level/IB/IGCSE results, sometimes auto-considered from your application and sometimes requiring a short separate form.

  • Chevening Scholarships: UK government-funded, fully-funded, for one-year Master's study — highly competitive, open to students from eligible countries with leadership potential.
  • Commonwealth Scholarships: For citizens of Commonwealth countries, mainly postgraduate, funded by the UK government.
  • University international merit scholarships: Widely offered across Russell Group and other universities — typically a tuition-fee reduction for high entry grades, often renewable each year of study.

Chevening and Commonwealth are postgraduate-only. For undergraduate applicants, the university-specific merit scholarships are usually the more relevant route.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Electronic Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Ship Science (Naval Architecture)

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

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Typical entry: Portfolio

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · UCAT · Interview (MMI)

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics · TMUA / ESAT (top universities)

Artificial Intelligence

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Music

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (4 years in Scotland)

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Typical entry: Portfolio / audition

Durations are typical for UK — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
Late January (equal consideration deadline)
Note
Oxford, Cambridge and most Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science courses close earlier — 15 October the year before entry.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Southampton ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free UK University Shortlist Builder to see whether Southampton is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other UK university that matches.

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More UK universities

Southampton FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Southampton as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Southampton?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Southampton expects around AAA at A Level or 36 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Southampton's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Southampton's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Southampton cost for international students?

International tuition at Southampton typically falls in the £28,000–£38,000/yr range (high tier for UK). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Southampton's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Southampton?

Southampton follows UK's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due late january (equal consideration deadline). Oxford, Cambridge and most Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science courses close earlier — 15 October the year before entry. Always verify the exact date on Southampton's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Southampton?

UK universities, including Southampton, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Southampton known for?

A Russell Group university known for Engineering and one of the UK's only dedicated AI degrees. Southampton is one of a small number of UK universities offering a dedicated BEng/MEng Artificial Intelligence degree, alongside long-standing strength in Electronics and Engineering more broadly. Its Ocean and Earth Science research, run in partnership with the National Oceanography Centre, is among the best regarded in the UK.

Can I apply to Southampton with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Southampton accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free UK University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Southampton and every other UK university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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