Southampton Solent University Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most major scholarships connected to Southampton Solent University are designed for full-time degree study rather than online-only study.

Many scholarships are not limited to one subject and can apply across the university’s eligible course portfolio. For instance, some Solent international scholarships are offered for “any undergraduate discipline” (undergraduate) and “any postgraduate taught discipline” (postgraduate), so they can cover areas like business, engineering and maritime fields, STEM, humanities/creative subjects, and sport—depending on the course you apply to. As a real example, Saima Baig chose a sports-focused programme and noted the course “explore[s] football from multiple perspectives.”

It depends on the scholarship. Some awards are open broadly to international (overseas) fee-paying students, while others target specific regions. Solent also runs an EU-focused fee discount for eligible EU nationals, and the UK’s GREAT Scholarship scheme at Solent is targeted. External scholarships can be nationality-based too: Chevening is for citizens of Chevening-eligible countries/territories.

Often yes, especially if English is not your first language or you don’t meet Solent’s English-language exemption criteria. Solent commonly accepts IELTS (UKVI or Academic), TOEFL iBT, and Duolingo (exact scores can vary by level and programme). Saima Baig described it plainly: “For most students coming from non-English-speaking countries, the IELTS is a standard requirement,” and she prepared with “online videos” and mock tests. Some applicants can submit test results later in the process, but you should plan early because programme requirements can differ.

Minimum grades vary by programme and level. For postgraduate taught programmes, Solent commonly uses a UK bachelor’s degree classification benchmark (often a minimum equivalent to a UK 2:2, though some courses may accept relevant industry experience). For scholarships, the bar can be higher; for example, some international excellence awards look for a 2:1-equivalent prior degree. Saima Baig is a good reminder that context matters: she shared, “my GPA wasn’t exceptional,” and added, “I thought grades were everything,” but her overall profile (professional sport, experience, fit with the programme, and scholarship criteria) helped her progress.

There isn’t one single “minimum” because scholarships differ, but patterns are clear: (1) you must be on an eligible course (often full-time, often a minimum course duration), (2) you must meet fee-status rules (e.g., international fee-paying for certain international awards), and (3) academic performance can be a key factor; some awards are automatic based on prior grades (e.g., 2:1-equivalent for certain postgraduate excellence scholarships), while others are competitive and look at ambition and contribution. Saima Baig emphasized the “bigger picture,” explaining that scholarships like Chevening look beyond academics to “real-world experience” and how your story aligns with future goals.

Document requirements depend on your level and course, but a typical postgraduate application can include academic references, transcripts, proof of English (if required), and identity documents. Saima Baig summed up the practical approach: “as long as you have all the mentioned documents… there’s a strong chance of securing admission.” Here are common examples you may be asked for:

• Two academic references.
• Certified transcripts of qualifications (and English language proof if required).
• Copy of passport (and current visa copy, if applicable).
• A personal statement (and an employer sponsor form where appropriate).

If you’re also applying for a major external scholarship like Chevening, expect additional requirements such as referee details and reference letters at later stages, plus proof of your undergraduate degree and evidence tied to your course offers.

For most full-time undergraduate first-year applications, you apply via UCAS, and UCAS charges an application fee (set per entry cycle). Solent states that first-year full-time undergraduate applicants “must apply through UCAS.” For postgraduate study, Solent generally uses a direct university application process; any fees (if applicable) are typically shown in the application portal or guidance for your specific route.