Study in Southampton, The United Kingdom

About Southampton

Southampton is a maritime city on the south coast of England. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the city had around 248,900 inhabitants at the 2021 census, 5.1% more than in 2011.

It has a large student population: according to the University of Southampton, citing the Southampton Data Observatory, more than 37,500 students live there, and nearly 160 languages are spoken in the city. The New Forest National Park and the Isle of Wight are a short journey away.

Studying in Southampton

Our directory lists two universities and one English language school in Southampton. Teaching is in English.

• University of Southampton goes back to the Hartley Institution, opened on 15 October 1862, and became a University College in 1902. It was one of the first universities in the world with a department of electronics (1947). Subjects in our listings include medicine, nursing, engineering, physics, mathematics and music.
• Southampton Solent University has been a university since July 2005; its origins go back to a private School of Art founded in 1855 and to the College of Nautical Studies at Warsash. Its main campus is in the city centre, within walking distance of Southampton Central station.
• Lewis School of English was established in 1976 and occupies four 18th-century buildings in the city centre, opposite a park. Its adult school is accredited by the British Council. The General English course is for levels A1 to C1 (not complete beginners), with a maximum of 12 students per class, and the school also runs IELTS, junior and teacher training courses.

Cost of living for students

The University of Southampton states that living costs in Southampton are relatively low compared with other Russell Group university cities. According to the ONS, the average monthly private rent in Southampton was £1,257 in August 2026, and £881 for a one-bedroom home.

• University housing: the University of Southampton puts the weekly cost of its halls at £155 to £236, including utilities and a Unilink bus pass. It estimates food shopping at about £50 a week.
• English courses: at Lewis School of English, General English (15 hours a week) costs £160 a week for 1 to 7 weeks and £130 a week from 21 weeks in 2026. Homestays are available all year, 10 to 35 minutes by bus from the school.
• Living costs for a visa: for a Student visa, courses outside London require proof of £1,171 a month (for up to nine months).

Getting around and daily life

Fast direct trains from Southampton Central reach London in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Southampton Airport is a 12-minute bus ride from the university's Highfield Campus, and Heathrow is about two hours away by coach and train. University of Southampton halls include the Unilink bus. Single bus fares in England are capped at £3 until the end of 2026 and at £2 from 1 January 2027.

Degree students from outside the UK need a Student visa, which costs £558 from outside the UK. After graduating, the Graduate visa allows a stay of two years for applications made by 31 December 2026 and 18 months from 1 January 2027. English courses of up to six months at an accredited institution can be taken as a visitor; courses of more than six and up to 11 months need a Short-term study visa (£228).

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Southampton?

The University of Southampton, whose history goes back to 1862, and Southampton Solent University, a university since 2005 with its campus in the city centre.

Is Southampton a good place to learn English?

It is a large student city about 1 hour 20 minutes from London. Lewis School of English, accredited by the British Council, teaches General English from A1 to C1 in classes of up to 12 students.

How much does student accommodation cost in Southampton?

University of Southampton halls cost about £155 to £236 a week, utilities and a bus pass included. The ONS average private rent for a one-bedroom home was £881 a month in August 2026.

How far is Southampton from London?

About 1 hour 20 minutes on fast, direct trains from Southampton Central. Heathrow Airport is about two hours away.