University of Southampton Admission Requirements 2027 for International Students

Southampton is a research intensive university on England's south coast with strengths in engineering, computer science, oceanography and health sciences. It sets English language requirements through nine named bands rather than one university wide score, so the level needed depends on the course. Postgraduate taught study has no single fixed deadline; undergraduate applications follow the national UCAS calendar.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree

A-levels, the International Baccalaureate or another equivalent qualification at the level the specific course states, plus English language ability at the band (A to I) the course specifies; Band C, a commonly used middle band, is IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in every skill.

Master's degree

A relevant bachelor's degree, normally at 2:1 level or its overseas equivalent, plus English language ability at the band the course specifies. There is no university wide application deadline; individual programmes and country specific quotas can close earlier in the cycle.

Documents

UCAS application and personal statement for undergraduate courses, or Southampton's own online application for postgraduate taught courses; academic transcripts and predicted or achieved grades; academic reference; English language test certificate at the required band, dated within two years of the course start; passport for identity and later for the Student visa.

How to apply

Register with UCAS and choose Southampton as one of up to five choices for undergraduate study, or apply directly online for a postgraduate taught course.
Check the entry grade equivalencies and English language band for the specific course.
Submit the UCAS application by 18:00 UK time on 13 January 2027 for 2027 entry to most undergraduate courses, or by 15 October 2026 for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses; postgraduate taught applicants should apply as early as possible since there is no fixed deadline.
Receive a decision; undergraduate offers are usually conditional on final grades.
Meet the offer conditions, including the English language band, and pay any deposit requested.
Apply for the Student visa once the place is confirmed unconditionally.

English test waiver

Southampton sets English language ability in nine bands, A to I, and the offer letter for each course states which band applies. Band A and B ask for IELTS 6.0 overall, Band C to E for 6.5 overall with 6.0 in every skill (Band C is the band most standard courses use), and Band F to I for 7.0 overall. Pearson Academic and Duolingo equivalents are published for bands C to I: 67 and 120 for the middle bands, rising to 76 and 130 for the highest. Applicants from a majority English speaking country, or who hold a UK GCSE English Language at grade 4 or C, are normally exempt, provided they still meet a minimum academic standard of English.