How to apply

All of our undergraduate degrees come with honours.

Most of our undergraduate degree programmes fall under one of the classifications listed below.

When you graduate in your chosen course, you will have either a:

BA (Hons) – Bachelor of Arts, (Honours)

BSc (Hons) – Bachelor of Science, (Honours)

BEng – Bachelor of Engineering

BM – Bachelor of Medicine

There are also other degree classifications in which you will graduate with a masters classification, although you will start at undergraduate level. These include:

MBiolsci – Masters in Biological Sciences

MChem – Masters in Chemistry

MEng – Masters in Engineering

MEcon – Master of Economics

MEnvSci - Master of Environmental Science

MGeol – Master of Geology

MGeophys – Masters in Geophysics

MMath – Masters in Mathematics

BMid (Hons) – Masters in Midwifery

MOcean – Masters in Oceanography

MPhys – Masters in Physics

Single honours degree

A single honours degree focuses on one main subject, for example, BA History, BA French, BSc Geography. Students will study modules and options which are relevant to the main subject area.

Combined honours degree

We have over 4,000 postgraduate students here at Southampton. We have over 200 taught courses and more than 90 research degree programmes.

Postgraduate courses can be either taught or research based.

Postgraduate taught courses

Taught courses vary in emphasis - some provide essential training leading to research, while others offer career-specific preparation. Many courses are available as both full-time and part-time modes and some may also be followed through distance or flexible learning.

Generally you can progress to a Masters degree via a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma by accruing credits from each module or unit you choose. The award of a Postgraduate Masters degree can provide a platform from which you can continue towards doctoral level studies.

Postgraduate research degrees

• gain expert knowledge in a specialist field
• design, implement and report on a research project
• foster your capacity for originality and constructive criticism
• participate in interdisciplinary personal and professional skills training co-ordinated through Faculty Graduate Schools
• network with other postgraduate research students through Graduate School activities

MPhil

The minimum period of study for an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) is one year, but in most cases postgraduate research students enrol for two years. Your initial studies under the close guidance of an academic supervisor will prepare you for potential transfer to PhD registration. You will normally transfer around the mid-point of your project, depending on your performance.

PhD

PhD study takes place within a demanding and rigorous research environment. The depth of your personal knowledge will increase and you will be expected to make an independent contribution to knowledge in your field. PhD applicants normally register initially for MPhil and transfer to PhD subject to satisfactory progress. For a PhD you can normally expect to finish your research after around three years' full-time study.

New programmes introduced by the University may be Subject to Programme Approval while they are being finalised; applications may not be open during this time.

Programme Approval is the process by which the University checks its programmes of study against academic quality and standards expectations. Any taught programme leading to a University of Southampton award is required to go through this process.

This process ensure that the University’s high standards for quality of teaching are consistently upheld. The full Programme Approval and Review process can be found in the University’s Quality Handbook on our website.