University of Southampton

Visiting your child at the University of Southampton means flying into London Gatwick (LGW), about 1.5 hours away by train. Plan the UK visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from LGW to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a UK Standard Visitor visa - one visa covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (there is no separate 'London visa'). It is applied for online and biometrics are given at a VFS Global centre in India. Most are 6-month visit visas; frequent visitors can choose 2-, 5- or 10-year multiple-entry visas. India has a high (around 82%) grant rate.

• One UK visa covers all four nations - no separate visa for London, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Apply about 3 months ahead, especially for graduation - slots book out and graduations are fixed dates.
• A complete file with strong home ties, clear funds and a clear purpose drives the high approval rate.
• Frequent visitors should consider the 2/5/10-year multiple-entry visa to avoid re-applying each trip.

Just admitted to the University of Southampton? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into London Gatwick (LGW) early for the best September fares.
• Train from LGW to Southampton Central (~1.5 hr), then Unilink bus to campus.
• Portswood and Highfield are the student areas - line up housing before arrival.
• Carry your CAS, passport, proof of funds and confirmation of your visa (eVisa share code) in your cabin bag.

Southampton, on the south coast, is a mid-priced student city - about GBP 1,000-1,400 a month all-in sharing and cooking. The University runs the Unilink bus network, the city is a major port with a strong job market, and London Gatwick (LGW) is the nearest gateway, about an hour and a half away by train.

Monthly cost of living in Southampton (a student estimate)

That's roughly £11,500-16,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Southampton students share in Portswood and Highfield near the university; rents are mid-range.

• The University's Unilink buses serve campus and student areas.
• Portswood and Highfield put you near the University of Southampton.
• Gatwick (LGW) is ~1.5 hrs by train; Heathrow is also reachable by coach.

Working part-time

On a Student visa you can work up to 20 hours/week during term time (degree level) and full-time during official university vacations. The 20-hour cap is per week, not an average, counts all jobs combined, and you must be a payroll employee - no self-employment, freelancing or gig/delivery work. After graduating you can apply for the Graduate Route: unsponsored post-study work with no job-type or hour limits, currently 2 years (3 for PhD). Note: from 1 January 2027 the Graduate Route drops to 18 months for non-doctoral graduates, so 2026 graduates should apply by 31 December 2026 to get the full two years.

Safety & student support

the University of Southampton's areas are generally safe by UK standards; use normal city awareness at night.

• the University of Southampton has campus security and student-safety services - save the campus number.
• Main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• A mid-size port city; normal awareness in the centre at night.

Indian community & food

Southampton has a growing South Asian community, with desi grocers across the city.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian/Asian grocers around Portswood and the city carry spices and staples.
• Mainstream Tesco, Asda and Aldi carry world-food aisles.
• Selection is solid for the city's size; students stock up on staples.

Student community

• The University of Southampton has active Indian/South Asian societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• The city has a Hindu temple and gurdwara.

• A good range of Indian restaurants across Southampton.

Cost & living figures for Southampton last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.