Southampton Solent University Scholarship

Southampton Solent University offers a range of scholarships and financial awards for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Depending on the award, support may take the form of a tuition-fee reduction and may be based on academic achievement, nationality, study level, or other eligibility conditions.

For international applicants, the scholarship process is closely connected with the university application.

Some awards are assessed automatically, while others require a separate scholarship application, so students should check the conditions of the specific award before submitting their application.

Brief Description

• University: Southampton Solent University
• Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
• Study levels: Undergraduate and postgraduate
• Eligible students: UK, EU and international students depending on the award
• Funding type: Scholarships, bursaries and tuition-fee discounts
• Main benefit: Reduction in tuition fees for eligible students
• Academic consideration: Some awards require strong previous academic performance
• Application method: Automatic assessment for some awards; separate application for others
• Study options: A wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines
• International support: Dedicated information and application guidance for overseas students

About Southampton Solent University

Southampton Solent University is a UK university based in Southampton, with a broad portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

It has an international student community representing more than 100 nationalities.

The university provides international applicants with guidance covering course selection, admissions, visas, fees, scholarships and financial support.

International students can also access country-specific information about entry requirements and applications.

Solent’s funding system includes scholarships and bursaries designed for different groups of students.

Awards can depend on academic performance, nationality, country of residence, course level and the particular year of entry.

About Southampton Solent University Scholarship

• Southampton Solent University provides several scholarship and bursary opportunities rather than one universal scholarship.
• International students can find awards for both undergraduate and postgraduate study.
• Some scholarships are awarded automatically during the university application process.
• Some competitive scholarships require a separate application from eligible offer holders.
• Academic achievement can be an important criterion for certain international awards.
• Some awards provide a direct reduction in tuition fees.
• Scholarship conditions can differ according to nationality and residence.
• Some awards cannot be combined with other Solent scholarships or fee discounts.

Fields of Study

Southampton Solent University offers programmes across a broad range of academic and professional areas.

Scholarship eligibility normally depends on the specific award rather than limiting students to one academic subject.

• Accounting and finance
• Architecture and construction
• Art and design
• Business and management
• Computing and digital technology
• Cyber security
• Engineering
• Fashion
• Film and television
• Health and social care
• Journalism and media
• Law
• Marketing
• Maritime and shipping
• Music
• Performing arts
• Psychology
• Science
• Social sciences
• Sport and exercise
• Tourism and hospitality
• Other specialist undergraduate and postgraduate subjects offered by the university

The university states that some international scholarships are available for students applying to full-time courses across undergraduate or postgraduate disciplines, depending on the individual award.

Target Group

• International students
• EU students where an EU-specific award applies
• International undergraduate applicants
• International postgraduate applicants
• Students with strong academic performance
• Students applying for eligible full-time programmes
• Students meeting the nationality or residence conditions of a particular award
• Students who receive an eligible offer from Southampton Solent University
• Students seeking tuition-fee support
• Students applying from outside the United Kingdom

Eligibility varies substantially between awards, so students should not assume that meeting the conditions of one Solent scholarship makes them eligible for every other award.

Scholarship Benefits

• Tuition-fee reductions can lower the overall cost of studying in the UK.
• Some postgraduate international awards provide a fixed reduction in tuition fees.
• The Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship currently provides a £1,500 fee reduction for eligible students.
• The Solent 20th Anniversary Study Award currently provides a £2,500 fee reduction for eligible international postgraduate students.
• Some awards are applied before enrolment and can appear through the university’s offer or CAS process.
• Eligible EU undergraduate students may receive a specific tuition-fee discount under the EU Welcome Scholarship.
• Scholarships generally do not need to be repaid.
• Some awards recognise academic achievement or potential.
• Financial support can reduce the amount of tuition students need to fund themselves.
• International students can also investigate external funding from their home country or other organisations.

Scholarships are primarily financial awards; they should not automatically be interpreted as English-language scholarships.

Students must still satisfy the English-language and academic requirements of their chosen course unless the university confirms an accepted alternative or exemption.

Scholarship Duration

Scholarship duration depends on the individual award and should not be confused with the length of the degree itself.

• Undergraduate: Scholarship support may apply to a specified tuition-fee period, such as the first year, depending on the award. The Solent International Pioneers Scholarship, for example, provides a reduction on the first-year tuition fee.
• Postgraduate taught: Eligible awards can apply to the relevant postgraduate course. The current Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship is available for qualifying postgraduate taught programmes with a minimum duration of 12 months.
• EU undergraduate: The EU Welcome Scholarship is structured as a tuition-fee discount for eligible undergraduate study and includes foundation years.
• Other awards: Duration, value and method of application vary according to the scholarship’s individual terms.

Students should therefore check whether an award is a one-off reduction, first-year reduction, annual discount or another form of financial support before calculating the total funding available.

Southampton Solent University Scholarship Requirements

There is no single set of requirements for every Southampton Solent University scholarship.

Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements for their chosen course as well as the additional eligibility conditions attached to the particular scholarship or fee award.

• Apply for an eligible Southampton Solent University course.
• Meet the academic entry requirements for the selected programme.
• Meet the English-language requirements applicable to the course.
• Hold the required nationality or immigration/residence status where applicable.
• Meet any academic-performance requirements specified by the scholarship.
• Apply for the correct study level.
• Meet any minimum course-duration requirement where specified.
• Obtain an offer where the scholarship requires an offer holder.
• Submit a separate scholarship application where the award requires one.
• Provide accurate supporting information.
• Follow the conditions concerning other scholarships or fee discounts.
• Provide evidence requested by the university during the admissions process.

For example, the current postgraduate international excellence award requires eligible international fee-paying students to have achieved the equivalent of a UK 2:1 in a previous bachelor’s or master’s degree and to study a qualifying postgraduate taught programme.

Admission Requirements by Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

• A recognised secondary-school qualification suitable for university admission.
• Academic qualifications equivalent to British A-levels or another accepted qualification.
• International Baccalaureate where applicable.
• An accepted International Foundation Year where required.
• Evidence of English-language ability according to the chosen course.
• Any subject-specific requirements listed for the selected undergraduate programme.
• Valid identification and immigration documentation where required.
• Additional evidence where requested during admissions.

For international undergraduate applicants, Solent states that suitable qualifications can include high-school qualifications equivalent to British A-levels, the International Baccalaureate or an International Foundation Year.

Master’s Degree

• A recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
• Normally an academic qualification comparable to at least a UK 2:2 for a taught master’s, unless the particular course specifies otherwise.
• Evidence of English-language proficiency according to the programme requirements.
• Academic transcripts.
• Evidence of relevant professional experience where the course requires it.
• Personal statement or other application information where requested.
• Any portfolio or additional subject-specific evidence required by the programme.

Solent’s international admissions guidance states that an appropriate minimum entry qualification for a taught master’s can be a British bachelor’s degree with at least a 2:2 classification or a recognised equivalent.

Doctoral Study

• A relevant recognised higher-education qualification.
• Appropriate academic preparation for doctoral-level study.
• A research proposal where required by the doctoral programme.
• Evidence of relevant academic or professional experience where required.
• English-language evidence according to the programme.
• Supporting academic documentation.
• Any additional requirements established by the relevant doctoral programme or research area.

Doctoral admission requirements can differ substantially from taught postgraduate programmes, so applicants should verify the requirements of their proposed research programme directly with the university.

Application Instructions

Step 1: Choose Your Degree

• Search the Southampton Solent University course catalogue.
• Select an undergraduate or postgraduate programme.
• Review the academic requirements.
• Check the English-language requirements.
• Confirm that the programme is suitable for international applicants.
• Review the available scholarships and funding options.

The university provides separate guidance for international students and allows applicants to explore undergraduate and postgraduate courses before applying.

Step 2: Check Scholarship Eligibility

• Identify the specific scholarship or fee award applicable to your situation.
• Check your nationality requirements.
• Check the required study level.
• Review academic requirements.
• Check whether your course qualifies.
• Determine whether the award is automatic or requires a separate application.
• Check whether other scholarships can be held alongside it.

This step is important because Southampton Solent University has multiple awards with different eligibility rules.

Step 3: Prepare Your University Application

• Complete the appropriate university or UCAS application route.
• Enter your personal information accurately.
• Add your academic history.
• Select the correct course.
• Provide your English-language information.
• Upload or provide the required supporting evidence.
• Review the application before submission.

International applicants outside the EU may apply through UCAS or through a local agent, according to Solent’s international admissions guidance.

Step 4: Submit a Scholarship Application if Required

• Check whether your selected scholarship requires a separate form.
• Complete every required question.
• Follow any word limits.
• Explain your academic achievements clearly.
• Describe relevant achievements or experience where requested.
• Check that your answers correspond with the information in your university application.
• Submit the scholarship application through the specified university process.

Some scholarships, such as the current Solent International Pioneers Scholarship, require eligible undergraduate offer holders to submit a separate application.

Step 5: Wait for the University Assessment

• Monitor your applicant account.
• Check your email regularly.
• Respond promptly if admissions requests additional information.
• Keep copies of submitted documents.
• Check your offer carefully for scholarship or fee information.
• Contact the international admissions team if the scholarship conditions are unclear.

Other awards may not require a separate application.

For example, eligible students for the current postgraduate taught international excellence award are automatically assessed during the admissions process.

Step 6: Confirm Your Funding

• Read the scholarship terms attached to your offer.
• Confirm the exact tuition-fee reduction.
• Check how the award is applied.
• Check whether it can be combined with another Solent award.
• Calculate the remaining tuition fees.
• Prepare additional funding for accommodation, living costs, travel and other expenses.

A scholarship should not be treated as full funding unless the university explicitly states that it covers all relevant study and living costs.

Documents Required for Registration

• Valid passport or accepted identification
• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Secondary-school qualification for undergraduate applicants
• Bachelor’s degree certificate for master’s applicants
• Master’s qualification where relevant to postgraduate or doctoral study
• English-language test certificate where required
• Personal statement where required
• Curriculum vitae for programmes that request it
• Portfolio for relevant creative or practical programmes
• References where required
• Evidence of professional experience where applicable
• Research proposal for relevant doctoral programmes
• Scholarship application or supporting evidence where a separate scholarship application is required

The exact document list varies by course and applicant background, so students should use the requirements attached to their selected programme rather than relying on a generic checklist.

Important Tips

• Check the exact scholarship: Do not assume that every Solent award has the same eligibility rules.
• Apply for the university course first: Some competitive scholarships require applicants to hold an offer.
• Check automatic awards: Some scholarships are assessed automatically, so a separate application may not be necessary.
• Keep your academic records ready: Scholarship eligibility can depend on previous academic performance.
• Verify nationality rules: Some awards are specifically designed for EU or particular international student groups.
• Read the fee conditions: Confirm whether the award reduces the first-year fee, total tuition, or another specific amount.
• Do not assume scholarships cover living costs: Tuition discounts may leave accommodation and daily expenses to the student.
• Check combination rules: Some Solent awards cannot be combined with other scholarships or fee discounts.
• Keep documents consistent: Your scholarship application, university application and academic records should contain matching information.
• Use official university information: Scholarship values and eligibility can change, so confirm the current conditions directly with Southampton Solent University before relying on an award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southampton Solent University Scholarship fully funded?

Not generally.

Southampton Solent University offers different scholarships and fee reductions, and many provide partial tuition support rather than covering tuition, accommodation and living expenses in full.

Can international students apply for Southampton Solent University scholarships?

Yes.

Solent provides scholarships and financial awards for international students, although eligibility depends on the specific scholarship, nationality, course and study level.

Are Southampton Solent University scholarships available for bachelor’s degrees?

Yes.

The university offers international undergraduate scholarships, including awards that recognise academic achievement and other forms of student potential.

Are Southampton Solent University scholarships available for master’s degrees?

Yes.

International postgraduate students can be eligible for postgraduate scholarships such as the Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship, subject to its requirements.

Do I need an offer before applying for a scholarship?

It depends on the award.

Some competitive scholarships require an offer from Southampton Solent University before a student can apply, while other awards are assessed automatically during the admissions process.

Is there an English-language benefit?

Scholarships primarily provide financial support and do not automatically waive English-language requirements.

Students must meet the English-language requirements applicable to their chosen course unless Solent confirms that an accepted alternative or exemption applies.

Can I receive more than one Southampton Solent University scholarship?

Sometimes, but not always.

Certain awards can be combined while others specifically prohibit holding them alongside another Solent scholarship or fee discount.

Students should check the conditions of each award.

How much can an international student receive?

The amount depends on the specific award.

For example, the current postgraduate taught international excellence award provides a £1,500 tuition-fee reduction, while the current Solent 20th Anniversary Study Award provides a £2,500 reduction for eligible international postgraduate students.

Can I apply for a scholarship without applying to Southampton Solent University?

For awards connected directly to Solent admission, students normally need to apply for an eligible course, and some competitive scholarships require an offer.

Automatic awards are considered through the relevant admissions process.

Does the scholarship cover accommodation and living expenses?

A tuition-fee scholarship should not be assumed to cover accommodation or living expenses.

Students should calculate their complete study budget and identify additional sources of funding where necessary.

Southampton Solent University provides several scholarship and funding routes for students from the UK and overseas, but the conditions differ considerably between awards.

International applicants should first choose an eligible course, then verify the specific scholarship requirements and understand exactly how the financial award affects their tuition costs.