KEY STRENGTHS We have identified the University of Southampton’s key relative strengths as follows. These have been identified in the wider context, in comparison to key competitors, making the University a standout organisation in these areas.
school years 2 Successful
Strength 1 – Goal 2: Successful school years
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Strength 2 – Goal 4: Right advice and experiences
The University of Southampton works with approximately 100 schools and colleges through its primary, secondary and post-16 outreach programme, Learn with US. Outreach includes awareness-raising activities such as higher education talks, school workshops and subjectspecific events. The University also hosts several summer schools, while its Ignite Your Journey Programme aims to increase GCSE attainment and raise higher education aspiration.
Dr Shahnaz Ibrahim leading a seminar
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Developing the physical infrastructure that connects people and places to opportunity
Creating affordable quality homes so people can live in safe and sustainable communities
Ensure that the energy transition is fair and creates opportunities across the UK
Create a level playing field on opportunity for all, to fully unleash Britain’s potential for the first time
UniLink bus service for better connectivity between campus and the rest of the city.
Supports youth offending services in the local area.
Created Sustainability Strategic Plan outlining commitments to sustainability.
Student Advisory Board composed of students from underrepresented groups.
Supports Green City Charter.
Student Connections newsletter promoting opportunities directly to underrepresented groups on the basis of gender, ethnicity and social mobility status.
Achieve equality, through diversity & inclusion
Aspire Awards provide grants to students from underrepresented backgrounds. Ignite Your Success Programme offers places for 31 students from care leaver backgrounds or IMD Q1 areas.
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Right advice and experiences
The University is keen to ensure everyone has access to the right advice and experiences at the right time to unlock opportunity via open days, placements and careers fairs in partnership with schools, colleges and employers. Students can access work experience and volunteering opportunities, free online learning programmes, e-mentors, talks, seminars and events. The University’s Ignite Programme offers guaranteed first-year internships for 31 students.
the digital divide 10 Closing
Strength 3 – Goal 10: Closing the digital divide
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Strength 4 – Goal 14: Achieve equality, through diversity and inclusion
Achieve equality, through diversity & inclusion
Over the past two academic years the University has committed over £500,000 to create its Online Learning Grants programme. This offers funding to cover the purchase of digital equipment and internet access to reduce the digital divide. It is also an active participant in the Science and Engineering Day (part of the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival, SOTSEF), delivered to people around the world.
The University has ambitious diversity targets and commitments for recruitment and progression alongside programmes to support, mentor and develop underrepresented groups into recruitment including diversity networks, panels and policies. The University is active in promoting opportunities directly to groups on the basis of gender, ethnicity and social mobility status.
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Key strengths
Assessment
Harness Building homes the energy for opportunity 12 & sustainable 11 Infrastructure 13 transition communities
