University of Southampton

Welcome

International Students

Arriving in the UK

Make your journey as smooth as possible.

As an international student, you are taking the big leap of leaving your home country and moving to the UK. You'll likely have a lot on your plate already, so to make things easier, we've come up with some stress-free methods to help you on your journey.

Final checks

If you're reading this, then you'll probably have already sorted everything you need to be able to study in the UK... but it can't hurt to double-check. The UK government website lays out exactly what you need travel-wise, so we'd recommend checking this website first. 

What you need to know

You may need certain documents/applications for studying in the UK. For a list of what you need to know you can find some advice here.

Airport transfers

  • Unilink bus — The Uni-Link bus service provided by the University offers convenient transportation to the University of Southampton campuses from the International Airport, Southampton Central rail station, and Southampton Airport Parkway rail station. Additionally, the U1 bus is available to pick you up from these stations and the airport, ensuring a smooth journey to the main Highfield Campus.
  • Meet and greet — For students arriving for Semester 1 in September 2025, the Meet and Greet team will be available at London Heathrow Airport or London Gatwick Airport. They will be ready to assist you (for free!) in finding onward public transport and addressing any inquiries you may have. Follow the link or contact MeetAndGreet@soton.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
  • Ask a student — You can always ask another international student who has been in your shoes for travel advice to and from the airport. They might have a few extra tips or specific advice if they're from the same country as you.

Any questions?

If there are still areas you're unsure about, then don't be afraid to ask our international student team all the questions that come to mind. You can contact them by:

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