What Solent University does

Solent University is a public post-92 university based in Southampton, United Kingdom, operating from a single city-centre campus at East Park Terrace. It offers 198 active courses spanning 141 undergraduate programmes, 47 postgraduate programmes (including MSc, MA, MBA, and LLM), and 27 apprenticeship programmes across roughly 16 subject areas, plus foundation years, Higher Technical Qualifications (HNCs and Foundation Degrees in digital, construction, and health/science), pre-sessional English language courses, and continuing professional development. The university recruits from over 100 nationalities through UCAS for UK/EU undergraduates, a direct eVision portal for postgraduates and international applicants, the GOV.UK Apprenticeship Service, and country-specific pages covering Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America.

The core technology stack is a conventional university LMS and Student Information System (eVision) for applications, course delivery, and administration, supplemented by an online virtual tour platform (explore.solent.ac.uk), a fully online apprenticeship delivery model with monthly workshops, and an integrated pre-sessional English application portal. Distinctive in-house student enterprises — Re:So (retail), Solent Productions (video production since 2007), Solent Creatives (student-staffed creative agency), and Solent Studios (industry-standard creative facilities) — provide real-world production experience integrated with academic study. The Warsash Maritime School operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary for officer cadet training, and a £28 million Sports Complex with BASES-accredited biomechanics laboratory supports sport programmes. No AI/ML, proprietary models, or API platform is evident.

The revenue model is multi-stream and recurring. UK and EU undergraduate fees are funded primarily through Student Finance England loans, postgraduate fees are self-funded with a 20% alumni discount, international fees are priced at a premium to UK rates, apprenticeship fees are funded via the apprenticeship levy and ESFA co-investment (SMEs receiving up to 95% government cover), and ancillary income is generated from student accommodation (four halls, £130.20-£170.10 per week) and commercial services. Distribution relies on direct-to-consumer recruitment through open days, virtual tours, prospectuses, and country-specific digital marketing, intermediated for apprenticeships by the GOV.UK service and the South Coast Institute of Technology. The university holds triple Gold in the UK's Teaching Excellence Framework, the only South Coast institution with this rating.

Name

Solent University

Legal name

Solent University

Website

https://solent.ac.uk

Company type

Public

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solent University is a public post-92 university in Southampton, UK, offering 198 undergraduate, postgraduate, and apprenticeship courses to UK and international students from 100+ nationalities, with revenue from tuition, apprenticeship levy funding, and student accommodation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

University-Affiliated Pathway & Foundation Programs (EDAIAJAA)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Apprenticeship training programmes
• Postgraduate study programmes
• Student accommodation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Southampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. UK Undergraduate Tuition Fees: Tuition fees charged to UK and EU students for undergraduate degree programmes. Students access government student loans through Student Finance England.
2. International Student Tuition Fees: Higher tuition fees charged to international students from outside the UK/EU for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
3. Postgraduate Tuition Fees: Fees for postgraduate Masters, MSc, MA, MBA, and LLM programmes, with alumni discount of 20% for returning students.
4. Apprenticeship Training: Government-funded higher and degree apprenticeships where costs are covered through employer levy funds or government co-investment for non-levy employers.
5. Student Accommodation: Weekly rental income from student residences including David Moxon, Deanery, Kimber, and Chantry halls. Rent ranges from £130.20 to £170.10 per week.
6. Apprenticeship Employer Contributions: Employer co-investment for apprenticeship training, with SMEs receiving government funding covering up to 95% of costs and levy-paying employers covering full cost from their digital account.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Solent University is a public university in Southampton, UK, delivering undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, foundation, and professional development courses across disciplines including business, computing, design, engineering, law, maritime, nursing, and sport. Beyond academic teaching, the institution operates student residences, a £28m sports complex, the Warsash Maritime School for officer cadet training, and student-run enterprises (Re:So, Solent Productions, Solent Creatives) that provide real-world learning alongside study. Service delivery is supported by a virtual tour platform, an online apprenticeship system, and a digital application portal (eVision).

Product overview

Southampton Solent University operates as a multi-disciplinary higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The core academic offerings include undergraduate degrees (141 courses), postgraduate programmes (47 courses), apprenticeship courses (27 courses), foundation years, and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs). The university distinguishes itself through industry-connected student enterprises including Re:So (retail), Solent Productions (video production), and Solent Creatives (creative agency), which provide real-world experience alongside academic study. Supporting infrastructure includes the £28 million Sports Complex, dedicated Warsash Maritime School for seafaring careers, and comprehensive student support services. The university holds triple Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and has achieved recognition as a rising institution in national university rankings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Warsash Maritime: Maritime education division offering officer cadet training and careers at sea programs
• Solent Productions
• Solent Creatives
• Re:So
• Solent Sports Complex
• Solent Careers
• Solent Global

Products and services

• Undergraduate Courses Bachelor's degree programmes across 16 subject areas including accounting, art and design, computing, engineering, fashion, film, law, maritime, music, nursing, psychology, and sport, offered with study options including foundation years, placement years, and study abroad opportunities. Total of 141 undergraduate courses available for UK and international students.
• Postgraduate Courses Master's degrees (MSc, MA, MBA, LLM) and other postgraduate qualifications designed with industry input, with flexible start dates in January, May, and September, including 20% alumni discount for returning Solent graduates. 47 postgraduate courses available, many with professional accreditation.
• Apprenticeship Programmes Higher and degree apprenticeships offered both online and on-campus across business, engineering, construction, nursing, digital, and maritime sectors. Apprentices are employed and sponsored by UK employers, with costs covered through government apprenticeship levy funds or co-investment. Includes fully online flexible delivery with monthly workshops and one-to-one tutor sessions. 27 apprenticeship programmes available.
• Foundation Years Preparatory year programmes for students lacking standard entry qualifications, building essential study skills and subject knowledge before progressing to bachelor's degrees. Available in art, business, digital arts, health, media, music, and STEM areas.
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) Vocational training programmes including Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Foundation Degrees in Science (FdSc) in digital, construction, and health and science subject areas, providing alternative routes to higher education.
• Professional/CPD Courses Continuing professional development courses for career advancement and skills development, including pre-sessional English language programmes and other professional qualifications.
• Pre-Sessional English Language Programme Intensive English language preparation course for international students, available in 7-week (£2,890 for 2025/26) or 12-week (£4,600 for 2025/26) formats, designed to develop academic English skills for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Applications submitted through integrated online application system with encrypted login.
• Student Accommodation City centre student residences including David Moxon (£159.25/week), Deanery (£159.25/week), Kimber (£170.10/week, en-suite, closest to campus), and Chantry (£130.20/week, most affordable) halls. All include utility bills, WiFi up to 100mb, cleaning of communal areas, and personal contents insurance.
• Solent Sports Complex £28 million sport, health and fitness facility with two sports halls, fitness studios, gym facilities, biomechanics laboratory, and health and exercise therapy clinical space, supporting sport programmes and available to students. Includes free gym membership in the first semester for postgraduate students.
• Warsash Maritime School Specialist maritime education division (wholly-owned subsidiary) offering officer cadet training and careers at sea programmes for the Merchant Navy, with dedicated facilities and industry partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 10 highest risers in Guardian University Guide 2026
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Coast Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for digital, engineering, and maritime apprenticeships. Employers can advertise vacancies through the South Coast IoT website for apprenticeships in these subject areas. Joint delivery of higher and degree apprenticeship programmes.
• Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body providing funding and regulatory oversight for apprenticeships in England. Handles apprenticeship levy management and employer co-investment funding arrangements.
• O2 Southampton GuildhallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for graduation ceremonies held annually in July. Graduation week is the highlight of the university calendar with ceremonies at the O2 Guildhall.
• AirbusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer partner offering apprenticeship opportunities. Solent graduate Aaron Vidal employed as Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer apprentice at Airbus.
• Tottenham HotspurminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer partner where Solent graduate Sebastian Taghizadeh secured Academy Recruitment Analyst internship, demonstrating university support for career outcomes.
• West Ham UnitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer partner where Solent graduate secured Academy Recruitment Analyst position, demonstrating industry connections for student employment.
• RokeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnology employer providing apprenticeships. People Director Sarah-Jayne Richardson provided testimonial praising the apprenticeship programme and value apprentices bring to their team.
• International University PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of international university partners facilitating study abroad and exchange opportunities for Solent students. Supports global mobility and international student experience.
• Industry Professional BodiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional accreditation partnerships ensuring courses meet professional body requirements. Many courses have professional accreditation with exemptions from professional qualifications available after graduation.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Brighton: A South of England modern university with broad course offerings, strong apprenticeship activity, and substantial international student base that competes directly with Solent for both UK and overseas applicants.
• Kingston University: A London-based post-92 university of comparable scale with a multi-disciplinary portfolio and meaningful apprenticeship delivery, competing for international students and career-focused UK applicants from the same broad demographic.
• University of Portsmouth: A fellow post-92 (former polytechnic) university headquartered within 20 miles of Solent in the South of England, with overlapping course portfolios, apprenticeship provision, and international student recruitment, making it the closest geographic and structural direct competitor.
• University of Bedfordshire: A UK post-92 institution with comparable scale, diverse multi-disciplinary courses, strong international recruitment, and apprenticeship programmes targeting working professionals.
• Bournemouth University: Another South Coast post-92 institution with a comparable vocational/multi-disciplinary profile, apprenticeship portfolio and international recruitment strategy, competing for the same student catchment in Hampshire/Dorset.
• University of Gloucestershire: A medium-sized post-92 university with vocationally-oriented programmes across business, creative, sport and health disciplines, offering a comparable profile of applied, industry-linked education.
• University of Winchester: A smaller post-92 university within an hour's drive of Southampton, with overlapping programme mix and recruitment markets, particularly for foundation and undergraduate applicants in the South.
• University of Westminster: A London post-92 university with similar size, broad vocational portfolio, large international student population and significant apprenticeship activity, making it a close structural comparable to Solent.

Broad incumbents

• University of Southampton: Solent's namesake neighbour and research-intensive Russell Group institution that competes for the highest-attaining applicants and offers a contrasting higher education proposition within the same Southampton catchment.
• The Open University: The UK's leading distance and part-time higher education provider, sharing Solent's online apprenticeship delivery platform and flexible learning credentials at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/solentuniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/solentunialumni
• Xx.com/solentuni

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solent University