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35 subject areas

Acoustical engineering

Study the application of acoustics in technology, from immersive audio systems to noise and vibration control. Investigate the effects of unwanted noise on our health and wellbeing and design solutions to reduce their impact.

Aeronautical and astronautical engineering

Gain the skills to develop the next generation of planes, drones, race cars and spacecraft. We're the only Russell Group university with degrees that combine aeronautics and astronautics.

Ageing and gerontology

Learn about care provision and overcoming challenges to improve people's lives. Further your career options with our postgraduate courses, which offer the flexibility to suit your study needs.

Archaeology

Develop the skills to explore our human past, so we can understand how we live today. The courses we offer cover areas from maritime archaeology to bioarchaeology, paleoanthropology and heritage management.

Art, design and fashion

Winchester School of Art offers a wide range of courses, whether you're inspired by fine art, game design, graphic arts or fashion and textiles.

Audiology

Our accredited degrees provide the skills you'll need to embark on a career as a clinical audiologist. Learn how to assess and manage major public health issues such as hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders.

Biological sciences

Explore some of the biggest problems facing the planet, from global warming to animal extinction and disease. Develop specialist skills in areas like biology, zoology or neuroscience.

Biomedical and medical engineering

Gain the knowledge and skills needed to design and develop healthcare technologies and devices that will lead to longer, healthier and happier lives.

Chemistry and chemical engineering

Discover how chemistry and chemical engineering are changing the world on our flexible chemistry courses. Gain experience with a placement abroad, and explore topics like new vaccine creation or developing sustainable energy.

Civil engineering

Use creativity and technical expertise to come up with innovative solutions to society's pressing challenges. Design and build structures and systems to meet our energy, transport, water and other essential needs.

Computer science and software engineering

From artificial intelligence and machine learning to cyber security and the Internet of Things, we'll offer you a wide range of ways to study computer science and software engineering.

Economics

Get to the heart of modern society, and help tackle real-world problems, by learning how the economy works and how we make financial decisions. Our graduates go on to successful careers as economists, actuaries and analysts.

Education

Explore the latest theories underpinning the study of education. Apply what you learn to bring about positive changes in teaching, education leadership or policy and research. Whether it’s early years, further and higher education or lifelong learning.

Electrical and electronic engineering

Discover the components and systems that bring electronic devices to life, and learn how electricity is generated, distributed and used at scale. Southampton is the best place in the UK to develop your knowledge in electrical and electronic engineering.

English

Discover the rich and diverse history of literature in English, spanning over 1,000 years and 6 continents across the globe. You'll develop your conceptual thinking and learn to communicate complex ideas when you study English with us.

Film studies

Study film from a wide variety of perspectives: as art, as a business, and as a cultural and historical artefact. From the earliest projected images to the present day, you'll cover cinema from Hollywood, Europe and the rest of the world.

Geography and environmental science

Gain the knowledge to explore global issues like social inequality, sustainability and climate change. Develop skills for careers in fields like environmental consultancy, and market research.

History

Studying history with us means you'll research, analyse and debate the past to better understand the present. Explore the ancient and modern, from empires and rebellion to social history and gender.

Languages and linguistics

Language has played a crucial role in human history. It has helped us tell stories, express ideas and share knowledge. We explore the science and culture behind language. Our staged approach to language learning will help you achieve fluency quickly.

Law

The law affects us in multiple ways, whether it's protecting civil liberties or keeping order. You'll gain the critical thinking and communication skills to study and challenge its development and advocate for those in need of legal representation.

Maritime engineering

Make global trade and ocean exploration possible by designing, building and testing ships and offshore structures for extreme conditions. Develop the skills that you need to become a naval architect and marine engineer.

Mathematical sciences

Build your knowledge of maths concepts and techniques on our courses in pure and applied maths, statistics and operational research. The analytical and problem-solving skills you'll develop are valued by many different employers.

Mechanical engineering

Gain the theory, practical knowledge and problem-solving skills to design and build mechanical systems. Learn how to develop next-generation sustainable technologies across a range of industries.

Medicine

Develop the skills to become a confident medical professional, committed to improving health and wellbeing for all.

Music

Our music courses give you the writing, research and performance skills to become the musician you want to be. Explore genres from jazz and pop, to classical, folk and rock. Find out about gigs, networking and mentoring on our dedicated careers programme.

Nursing, midwifery and healthcare

Lead and challenge practice as you become a confident, capable healthcare professional. Choose from cardiac physiology, midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry.

Ocean and Earth science

Study the science of the Earth and ocean system, from active water column and seabed processes and the ecosystems they support to their record in rocks and fossils. Learn specialist skills for careers that underpin sustainability and energy transition.

Philosophy

Explore the big questions as part of our supportive and enthusiastic community of philosophers. Choose topics that match your interests, and learn about new perspectives, critical thought, and methods of reasoning.

Photonics and optoelectronics

Explore the technologies that harness the power of light, such as lasers and optical fibres. Learn how light behaves and interacts with materials, and discover the electronic devices that generate, detect and control it.

Physics and astronomy

Gain theoretical and practical skills in physics and astronomy at Southampton. Develop a specialist understanding of the laws that define our universe from the quantum world to cosmology.

Politics and international relations

Investigate governance, democracy, citizenship and the links between power and protest. Learn how to question political decision-making to help understand some of our biggest challenges, from climate change to human rights.

Psychology

Discover the thought processes, emotions and behaviour of the human brain. Use specialist labs that include virtual reality, MRI and eye-tracking facilities as you work towards a career in psychology.

Social statistics and demography

Explore how population and social changes interact with the world and how those things can be measured. Demographers, data analysts and researchers help to improve livelihoods and global health.

Sociology, social policy and criminology

Study social sciences - whether your interests are in crime and the criminal justice system, social disparity and cultural diversity, or the effects of policy on society. Gain the quantitative and qualitative skills to conduct your own research.