Southampton Solent University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Southampton Solent University

Coat of Arms Solent University
Latin: Solent Universitas
Former name	Solent University (2018–2024) Southampton Institute of Higher Education (1984–2005)
Motto	Ready for the future
Type	Public
Established	2005 – University status 2004 – Degree-awarding powers 1984 – Southampton Institute of Higher Education (merger) 1978 – Southampton College of Higher Education (merger of Colleges of Technology and Art) 1951 – Southampton College of Technology<32 – School of Navigation, Warsash 1856 – Southampton College of Art
Academic affiliations	Universities UK GuildHE Million+
Endowment	£0.81M (2015)
Chancellor	Theo Paphitis
Vice-Chancellor	Professor James Knowles
Students	HE (2015/16)
Undergraduates	(2015/16)
Postgraduates	(2015/16)
Other students	6,815 FE
Location	Southampton, Hampshire , England 50°54′29″N 1°24′04″W / 50.908°N 1.401°W / 50.908; -1.401
Campus	Urban city campus
Colours	Dark red and black
Sporting affiliations	British Universities and Colleges Sport Snows Group Hampshire 2

Southampton Solent University, often called Solent University, is a public university in Southampton, United Kingdom. It has about 10,500 students. Its main campus is in the city centre, close to Southampton's port.

Students at Solent University have their own group called Solent Students' Union. This union is based at the East Park Terrace campus.

History of the University

The university started as a private School of Art in 1856. This school later became the Southampton College of Art. Over time, it joined with other colleges.

In 1984, it merged with the Southampton College of Technology and the College of Nautical Studies at Warsash. This created the Southampton Institute of Higher Education.

The Southampton Institute became a full university on July 12, 2005. It then changed its name to Southampton Solent University on August 15, 2005. Before this, the Institute helped Nottingham Trent University with some business degrees.

In 2015, Solent University agreed to approve some degrees for New College of the Humanities in London. In 2018, the university changed its name to Solent University. However, in 2024, it decided to go back to its original name. On September 24, 2024, it officially became Southampton Solent University again.

Since April 2023, Professor James Knowles has been the Vice Chancellor. He is like the head of the university.

University Campuses

Main campus of Solent University (East park Terrace)

The university has three main locations:

• East Park Terrace is the main campus. It was built in the 1960s and is in central Southampton.
• The Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering is by the Hamble River. It looks out over Southampton Water.
• Timsbury Lake has a special training centre for Warsash. It opened in 2011.

The university also has other facilities:

• Test Park Sports Ground is an outdoor sports area. It is in Millbrook and opened in 2011.
• Re:So is a shop run by students. It is in the Marlands shopping centre. The shop sells items made by students and graduates.

Student Housing

The university has four main places for students to live. These are called Halls of Residence:

• Chantry
• Deanery
• Kimber (which includes the David Moxon Annexe)

All these halls are a short distance from the main teaching buildings. They are located between the St Mary's and Ocean Village areas of Southampton.

Past Locations

Some buildings the university used to lease are no longer part of the campus:

• The Lucia Foster Welch residence was used from 1995 to 2020.
• The Sir James Matthews building was used from 1993 to 2019. It was sold to Southampton University in 2021.
• The Below Bar campus was used from 2011 to 2023 for art and design courses.
• The Austen building was leased from 2017 to 2024 for Warsash.

What Students Learn

Solent University offers many different courses. These are grouped into five main areas:

• Business, Law and Digital Technologies (including Solent Business School)
• Creative Industries, Architecture and Engineering
• Sport, Health and Social Science
• Warsash Maritime School

The university works with local businesses and industry groups. This helps students get ready for jobs. For example, they work with the British Computer Society.

The student yachting team has won many awards. They have even included Olympians and past world champions.

University Research

The university has an office that helps with research and new ideas. They support students and staff who want to do research.

Creative and Digital Research

This area focuses on new ideas in creative and digital fields.

Business and Society Research

Solent works with different types of businesses and groups. They research topics like marketing, tourism, and how small businesses grow. They also study social issues like employment and diversity in different jobs.

Sport, Health, and Wellbeing Research

Solent University is known for its courses in sport, health, and wellbeing. Their research helps improve these programs. They study things like sports science and how sport can help society. The university is also a top place for research about football.

Maritime, Technology, and Environment Research

The maritime sector has always been a strong area for Solent. They have taught yacht design since the 1970s. The Warsash Maritime Academy, which joined the university, has a long history with shipping and training sailors.

Research here focuses on real-world problems in the shipping industry. This includes training, safety, and gender equality at sea. They also research how to make things more sustainable. This includes studying environmental impacts and new materials.

Media Technology Research

The Media Technology courses now combine Broadcast Engineering, Live Sound, and Acoustics. This new course is called 'Live Event Technology'.

Students on this course work with Sonar Events. They also help at big festivals in the UK, like Glastonbury and Boardmasters.

Student Life at Solent

Student Media

Students run their own media groups under the name 'Sonar Events'.

Student TV Station

The student TV station used to be called SonarTV. It started in 2009. In 2022, SonarTV joined the Live Events Society to form SonarEvents.

SonarEvents is the only group at the university that can join NaSTA. This is the National Student Television Association. In 2012, SonarEvents helped host the first-ever NaSTAvision broadcast.

Student Radio Station

The student radio station is called Radio Sonar. It started in 1999 as Sin FM. It later became an online radio station and changed its name to Radio Sonar in 2009.

Radio Sonar has won awards for 'Outstanding Contribution to Student Radio' in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, one of their presenters won 'Best Female Presenter'.

Sports at Solent

Southampton Solent University has a strong history in sailing. Their student teams have won national yachting championships many times.

Famous People Who Studied Here

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Southampton Solent para niños

• Armorial of UK universities
• List of universities in the United Kingdom