Southampton Solent University

Infobox University
name = Southampton Solent University


image_size = 160px
caption =
latin_name =
tagline = "Spark your imagination"
established = 1855 Southampton College of Art
1984 Southampton Institute of Higher Education
2004 Southampton Solent University
type = Public
staff =
chancellor = Baron West of Spithead
vice_chancellor = Professor Van Gore
students = 17,455cite web|url= http://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0607.xls|title= Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07|accessdate= 2008-04-12|format= Microsoft Excel spreadsheet|publisher= Higher Education Statistics Agency]
undergrad = 9,990
postgrad = 650
other = 6,815 FE
city = Southampton
state = Hampshire
country = UK
campus = Urban
free_label =
free =
colours =
affiliations =
footnotes =
website = http://www.solent.ac.uk/
email = [e-mail]
address = Southampton Solent University
East Park Terrace
Southampton
Hampshire
SO14 OYN
publictransit =
telephone = [phone]
coor =

Southampton Solent University is a university of 17,000 students based in Southampton, United Kingdom. Its main campus is located on East Park Terrace near the city centre. It is a centre of applied research in design and advanced technology, maritime, fine art, history of collecting, film, media and cultural studies, political and international studies, law and a broad range of business disciplines. The university strives to work with local business and professional bodies (for example the British Computer Society and the PTC) to keep the qualifications it provides relevant and immediately useful upon graduation.

The university has strong maritime courses [cite web|url = http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/universityguide/profile/story/0,9988,491283,00.html|title = Southampton Solent University Guardian Profile|publisher = The Guardian] and the student yachting team are previous world champions, finishing in 4th place in 2007. [cite web|url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166730.ece|title = University Profile|accessdate = 2007-08-27|date = 2007-08-21|publisher = The Times]

Solent University students are represented by Solent Students' Union (previously known as Southampton Institute Students' Union/SISU), which is based on the East Park Terrace campus [cite web|url = http://www.solentsu.co.uk|title = Solent Students' Union Official website]

The 2008 "Good University Guide" placed Solent at 95 out of 113 institutions in the UK. [cite web|url = http://www.thegooduniversityguide.org.uk/single.htm?ipg=6524|title = The Good University Guide 2008|publisher = The Good University Guide]

History

The university's origins can be traced back to a private School of Art founded in 1856, which eventually became the Southampton College of Art. (The School of Art was founded seven years before the Hartley Institution – the origin of University of Southampton.) Mergers with the Southampton College of Technology, and later the College of Nautical Studies at Warsash, led to the establishment of the Southampton Institute of Higher Education in 1984.

Southampton Institute became a university on 12 July 2005, and adopted its current name on 15 August that year. [cite web|url = http://hosted.proctors.co.uk/solent/14045/press_solent_university.html|title = About Us|accessdate = 2007-08-16|date = 2006-02-12|publisher = Southampton Solent University] cite web|url = http://www.contensis.co.uk/CaseStudies/SolentUniversity.aspx|title = Southampton Solent University|accessdate = 2007-08-16|date = 2005-10-10|publisher = Contensis] [cite web|url = http://www.solent.ac.uk/aboutus/about.aspx|title = About Us|accessdate = 2007-08-16|date = 2006-02-12|publisher = Southampton Solent University] Prior to 2005, students at Southampton Institute received degrees awarded by Nottingham Trent University.

Southampton Solent University continues to offer research degree awards validated by the Nottingham Trent University. [ [http://www.solent.ac.uk/students/postgraduate/research_info/study_by_research.aspx Qualifications by Research ] ]

Branding

Following the news that it had achieved University status 15 August 2005, Southampton Solent University appointed Proctor and Stevenson to create and develop a new brand identity. Timescales meant that the project had to be completed within two months of the first briefing. The institution heard from the Privy Council that its application for university title has been approved, following advice from the Department for Education and Skills and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Faculties, schools and centres

The University is made up of three main faculties, including the internationally renowned Warsash Maritime Academy. The Academy focuses on maritime training and consultancy and is based away from the main site at Warsash. The faculties based at the main East Park Terrace campus are:

* Faculty of Media, Arts and Society
** School of Media
** School of TV
** School of Visual and Interactive Arts
** School of Writing and Communications
** School of Human Sciences

* Southampton Business School
** School of Business Analysis
** School of Law and Management
** School of Marketing and Leisure

* Faculty of Technology
** School of Computing and Digital Communication
** School of Design and Manufacture
** The Technology Research Centre [cite web|url = http://www.solent.ac.uk/faculties/home.aspx|title = Faculties|accessdate = 2007-08-16|date = 2006-09-12|publisher = Southampton Solent University]
** School of Maritime and Coastal Studies (incorporating Warsash Maritime Academy)

The University also boasts the only course dedicated to comedy in the world. Comedy, Writing and Performing has nearly 40 students.

Halls of Residence

The University has six major student Halls complexes:
* Chantry
* Deanery
* Emily Davies
* Hamwick
* Kimber
* Lucia Foster WelchAll are located away from the main teaching buildings. Five of the six halls are located South East of the city centre, between the St Mary's and Ocean Village areas of the Southampton, while Emily Davies is located to the north west of the city centre, near to the Southampton Civic Centre. [cite web|url = http://www.solent.ac.uk/accommodation/residences/residences.aspx|title = Student Residences|accessdate = 2007-08-16|date = 2006-09-12|publisher = Southampton Solent University]

olent Students' Union

The Union forms an integral part of student representation within the University. It is made up of 4 sabbatical officers; President, Vice President Activities, Vice President Communications & Vice President Student Support and 6 non-sabbatical officers; 1x Equal Opportunities officer and 5x Open Portfolio officers, as well as several full-time, permanent members of staff.

The President is the students' representative on the Board of Governors and other Sabbatical Officers attend University committees such as Academic Board, Faculty Boards and Course Committees to ensure effective representation for all students - full and part time, undergraduate and postgraduate.

There are many clubs and societies which are funded through the Union and run by students. Facilities and services include the Student Advice Centre which offers a comprehensive and confidential information and advice service to students, a Student Shop, a Copy Shop, two cash-point machines and a photo booth.

Entertainment is provided by the Union, with balls, themed nights and various social meetings taking place throughout the year. The Students' Union holds many formal events over the year including the Freshers Ball, Graduation Ball and the Summer Festival.

The summer of 2007 saw the refurbishment of the middle floor, with the Executive officers residing there, as well as Sin Radio, a Student Union Shop and Wifi Lounge [cite web|url = http://www.solent.ac.uk/welfare/student_union.aspx|title = Southampton Solent University Official website]

Academic rankings

Acamemic rankings are compiled via looking at statistics provided by the universities, then applying importance to those and creating tables from them. This is an interpretive process, so the score / rank changes per source quoted below. The Times uses Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data.

Notable alumni

* Sean Yazbeck — "The Apprentice (US Season 5)", winner
* Ricky Whittle — Actor (Currently starring in Hollyoaks as Calvin Valentine)
* Jonathan Ross — TV personality
* German Frers Jr. — Naval architect
* David Quayle — B&Q Co-founder
* Pamela Blundell — Fashion Designer [http://student.independent.co.uk/into_university/az_uni_colleges/article2807359.ece Southampton Solent University - A-Z Unis & Colleges, Getting Into University - Independent.co.uk ] ]
* Bill Dixon — Yacht and boat designer
* Ed Dubois — Yacht and boat designer
* Rob Humphreys — Yacht designer
* Peter Long — CEO, "First Choice Holidays"
* Jenny Packham — Fashion Designer
* Bobby Parks — Former Hampshire and England cricketer
* Jemish Patel — TV presenter
* Oli Macey-Macleod
* Riccardo Boleto — Reporter and presenter (Five News) [ [http://www.fivetvonline.tv/natashas_newsroom.php?id=85 Five News - Biographies ] ]

Honorary graduates

The University has awarded several honorary degrees to '"those who have made an outstanding contribution to the fields of education, arts, sports, maritime studies and engineering"'. [cite web|url =http://www.solent.ac.uk/graduation/Honorary%20Graduates.aspx|title = Honorary Graduates|accessdate = 2008-07-28|publisher = Southampton Solent University] These include cricketers Shane Warne (Doctorate), David Gower and Robin Smith (Masters of Arts) and Southampton footballing greats Matt Le Tissier and Lawrie McMenemy (Masters of Business Administration). The University has also awarded an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration to Paralympic athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, made Formula 1 racing commentator Murray Walker a Doctor of Letters, and in summer 2007, Ben Ainslie was made a Doctor of Sport in recognition of his sailing achievements. Most recently, television presenter and journalist Fiona Philips has been awarded a Master of Arts degree, and former Director General of the BBC Greg Dyke made a Doctor of Arts. [cite web|url = http://www.solent.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2006/September/r88y06.aspx|title = Shane Warne bowled over by Honorary Doctorate from Southampton Solent University|accessdate = 2007-08-12|date = 2006-09-12|publisher = Southampton Solent University] [cite web|url =http://www.solent.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2007/September/r79y07.aspx|title = Ben Ainslie Awarded Honorary Degree at Southampton Boat Show|accessdate = 2007-09-30|date = 2007-09-14|publisher = Southampton Solent University]

References

External links

* [http://www.solent.ac.uk/ Southampton Solent University Official Website]
* [http://www.warsashacademy.co.uk/ Warsash Maritime Academy Official Website]
* [http://www.solentsu.co.uk/ Solent Students' Union Official Website]