How about applying to the University of Southampton? Founded in 1862, the University of Southampton is one of the UK’s ‘Red Brick Universities’, a founding member of the Russell Group of Universities, and the only university in the UK to receive a five-star research rating for each of its science and technology departments in its professional ratings. What is the University of Southampton’s acceptance rate? What do the admission trends of recent years reveal? What factors affect the chances of a successful application? Whether you’re applying for undergraduate or postgraduate study, we’ll provide you with up-to-date data and in-depth analysis of admission rates to help you better understand the University of Southampton acceptance rate and improve your chances of success!
University of Southampton Rankings
The University of Southampton, or simply Soton, is a research university located in Southampton, England. It is a Royal Chartered University, a founding member of the Russell Group of Universities, and a member of the World Association of Universities, the Southern Alliance for Science and Engineering, the International University Climate Coalition, the World Association of Port City Universities, and RENKEI. The University of Southampton is consistently ranked in the top 20 in several university rankings. It has grown to become a top-tier international university capable of accommodating 20,000 students, one of the best research universities in the UK, and hosts students from more than 130 countries each year.
- 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
- 115th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
- 20th in the Complete University Guide Rankings of UK Universities 2025
- 22th in The Guardian University Guide 2025
What is Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate refers to the percentage of all applicants who are ultimately accepted and enrolled in the university. Offer Rate refers to the proportion of applicants to whom the university makes an offer. Acceptance Rate is usually low because not all students who are offered a place eventually choose to enrol. There are two main reasons why Southampton University’s acceptance rate is low. On the one hand, it is due to the fact that students who have received an offer do not pay the reservation fee within the stipulated time and choose other schools. The University of Southampton requires international students to accept the offer within 28 days of receiving the offer and pay a reservation fee of £2000. On the other hand, the University of Southampton issues conditional offers, and some students cannot meet the requirements of the offer, such as language scores, etc. The Acceptance Rate reflects the difficulty of ultimately entering the university.
University of Southampton Acceptance Rate
There is no reliable data regarding the University of Southampton’s admissions that is publicly available. However, with reference to the general trend in recent years, extrapolating from previous data, the acceptance rate for the University of Southampton in 2025 will be 13% of the total number of offers. The offer rate for Southampton University is 80%. The University of Southampton’s admissions rate varies by specialism and is lower for more competitive specialisms.
Trends of University of Southampton Acceptance Rate
| Year | Applications | Acceptances | Acceptances Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 33,995 | 4,405 | 23.90% |
| 2019 | 35,795 | 4,210 | 23.80% |
| 2020 | 35,800 | 4,560 | 12.74% |
| 2021 | 37,580 | 5,315 | 14.14% |
| 2022 | 43,255 | 5,075 | 11.73% |
| 2023 | 45,280 | 5,235 | 11.56% |
| 2024 | 43,415 | 5,695 | 13.12% |
The University of Southampton has seen a significant increase in the number of applications in recent years, while the overall acceptance rate has been on a downward trend, reflecting the increasing competition. In terms of the number of applicants, the University of Southampton has shown a steady annual upward trend in the number of applications, with a significant increase in the number of applicants in 2022-2023, reaching a peak of 45,280. 2020 Southampton’s acceptance rate fell sharply to 12.74%, making the competition even more intense. The University of Southampton has risen significantly in a number of international rankings in recent years, and the increase in applications is a direct result of the fall in the acceptance rate.
Entry Requirements for the University of Southampton
Entry requirements for UK universities change yearly and generally require subject grades, language grades, and paperwork. Entrance criteria vary from institution to institution and from program to program, and some programs make special requirements for students’ courses and internship experience. Below are the entry requirements for the University of Southampton.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
1. Academic Requirements
- Higher Secondary Certificate/Standard 12, achieving at least 75% from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) and Metro State Boards (Delhi, Maharashtra, Chennai, Kolkata and Karnataka)
- High grades in UK A-Levels
- Within 28 and 38 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB)
2. English Language Requirements
- IELTS: Score of 6-6.5
- PTE: 64-68
- iBT: 81-92
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
1. Academic Requirements
- a first or good second-class honours degree or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s degree with 60% marks by a recognized university
2. English Language Requirements
- 70% in English at Class XII from CBSE or CISCE
- IELTS 6.0 – 7.0 or equal achievement
3. Other Requirements
- a personal statement
- a reference
- evidence of your English language skills if English isn’t your first language
- For some specific degree courses, entry requirements can also include a successful:
- admissions test or exam
- audition or performance
- individual or group interview
portfolio - occupational health assessment (for professionally regulated courses)
disclosure and barring check (for professionally regulated courses)
Tips for Increasing Your Acceptance Rate
- Choosing the right major: Choose a suitable major that matches your professional background and academic strengths, and consider the gap in acceptance rates between majors to maximize the probability of entering the university.
- Improve your language score: IELTS 6-6.5 for undergraduate admission and 6.5-7 for graduate admission. Students are advised to improve their language and individual scores.
- Prepare the perfect personal statement: It demonstrates academic interests and how they relate to the course, skills and knowledge relevant to the job, internship or project and why you want to study at Southampton.
- Seek more relevant work experience or volunteering opportunities: While academic performance is vital, the University of Southampton values well-rounded students who show initiative outside the classroom.
How Can uhomes.com Help You?
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Conclusion
Knowing the University of Southampton’s acceptance rates and how competitive each programme is can help students choose the best one for them. While acceptance rates vary by programme and level of study, good academic results, language grades, relevant qualifications and a thorough application greatly increase the chances of being accepted. For students planning to apply to the University of Southampton, in-depth knowledge of admission trends and admission requirements is the first step to success while meeting the challenge with thorough preparation and clear goals.
FAQs About University of Southampton Acceptance Rate
Is Southampton University hard to get into?
The University of Southampton is highly competitive, with a 13% acceptance rate despite an 80% offer rate.
What is the acceptance rate for Sothampton University?
The acceptance rate at the University of Southampton in 2025 is projected to be 13% based on data from recent yearst
Why do Southampton University's offer and acceptance rates differ so much？
Students applying to up to 5 universities through UCAS may receive multiple offers. Still, they can only choose one, so many students use Southampton as a ‘guaranteed’ school and end up at a better university. Some students who are offered a place may choose to Defer Entry or decide to apply a year later, resulting in a lower acceptance rate for that year.
What IELTS score is required for Southampton University?
The University of Southampton requires an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any category for undergraduate entry.
