Get started at the University of Southampton

Accept your offer to study 

You first need to accept your offer to study in your applicant portal. Please do this before the acceptance deadline which you can find on your applicant portal. Do this before arranging accommodation, or flights if you are an international student. 

Choose and book your accommodation

You can apply for accommodation from 2 April and to be covered by our accommodation guarantee, you must apply for accommodation by 1 July. You can apply for accommodation even if your offer is conditional. 

You have a range of options available to you as a student. Find out more about:   

• your halls of residence accommodation options
• booking postgraduate accommodation
• booking private accommodation
• accommodation for couples and students with children
• accommodation if you have a disability or long-term health conditions 

We also offer accommodation to meet specific needs, such as:  

• alcohol-free
• catered
• LGBTQIA+
• single gender accommodation 

Find out more about your accommodation options. 

Apply for your visa 

If you are an international student, you will need to have your visa before you can start your studies. You can start this process once your offer is unconditional accepted.  

Find out how to:  

• get your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• prepare your documents
• apply for a visa 

When you should arrive at the University of Southampton

The academic year starts on Monday 22 September 2025. To be ready for the start of the academic year, you should move into your accommodation between the 19 to 21 September. 

Find out our term dates.

International students - book our Meet and Greet service 

You can arrange for our meet and greet team to welcome you at either London Heathrow airport or London Gatwick airport. Bookings open in August and the service is free, but spaces are limited.  

Find out more about our Meet and Greet service.

Enrol, set up your IT account, submit any documents

Enrolment starts on Friday 1 August 2025. You must have an unconditional accepted offer and an IT account before you can enrol.   

• set up your IT account
• enrol at the university

After you enrol you should:

• upload any documents we need from you
• apply for your student ID – you will need your IT account to do this
• register with the University’s health services 

 Find out more on our Welcome page for new students. 

Learn about life at the University of Southampton 

Find out from students and staff about student life at the University of Southampton. Watch recordings of our online events where you will learn about:  

• campuses, sports, Students' Union and other activities  
• managing your finances, from rent to food shopping  
• accommodation options 

You can also chat to students and staff online and ask them questions about student life, the campus, the city, or your course.  

Support for you as a student  

Depending on your needs, we offer: 

• guidance on living costs
• academic and mental health support 
• wellbeing, disability, and dyslexia support 

Find out more about the support we offer to students. 

 Learn more about our students’ union community.