Entrance and Support

The minimum entry requirement is normally an Upper Second class or equivalent undergraduate degree or an appropriate MSc qualification. 

The minimum English language requirement is band 1b, IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components; for more information visit www.southampton.ac.uk/pg/englang

Usually, about twenty new research students join us each year, two thirds of whom have First class degrees. Some are graduates from Southampton, but many come from elsewhere in Britain and also overseas. 

• Approximately half of our entrants are supported by (3 year) studentships provided by the Research Councils. 
• The remainder are supported in other ways, for example by research contracts, European Union or other government studentships, and private trusts. 
• In a few cases, studentships are funded by the University of Southampton itself. 

Some Research Council studentships carry additional remuneration through industrial sponsorship, especially via the Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE) scheme. This often provides an opportunity to develop valuable contracts with industry, for example through periods of research in industrial laboratories. 

More details of studentships, and how and when to apply for postgraduate study, are given below.