Your essential tasks
Complete these tasks to help make your start at university go as smoothly as possible.
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Check whether you need a visa
If you are not a British citizen or Irish national, you may need a visa to study with us. -
Set up your IT account
Set up an account for your University email and other IT systems, including Blackboard. -
Upload your documents
You must upload the identity documents we need before you start your studies with us. -
Enrol at the University
Enrolment is when you officially join the University. You'll need your IT account details to do this. -
Apply for a student ID card
Once you've set up your IT account and enrolled, you can apply for your ID card. -
Sort out your accommodation
You need to finalise your accommodation or let us know you'll be living at your home address. -
Register with a local doctor
Both UK and international students should register with a local doctor (GP) or the University health service.
Inductions and community
Once you've completed your essential tasks, you'll need to complete your induction on Blackboard, our online learning environment, before your studies begin. You'll be able to access Blackboard once you've set up your University IT account and enrolled with the University. Inductions will be available before Semester 1 begins.
You can also start exploring your new community and, if you’re joining us from abroad, why not also let us meet you at the airport?
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Join our community
University life is about more than studying: it's also about meeting new people, enjoying new experiences and making new memories. -
Book our meet and greet service
Our free meet and greet service is for students arriving to study in the UK for the first time and staying in University halls of residence or in our private partner hall. -
Learn about inclusion and respect at Southampton
Find out more about what you can do as a student to help the University ensure an inclusive, respectful and safe community.
Download the MySouthampton app
The MySouthampton app gives you easy access to everything you need as a University of Southampton student, including:
- your personalised timetable once it becomes available
- your University email account
- your digital ID card
- support services
- key platforms and resources such as Blackboard and our Libraries
- campus maps for directions to locations and facilities
- the latest news and upcoming events you can take part in as you join our community
The MySouthampton app is available on Android and iOS devices. If you can't download the app, you can access a desktop version of MySouthampton using your web browser.
Key Welcome dates
- Welcome and Inductions Week: Monday 14 September to Sunday 20 September 2026
- Start of teaching: Monday 21 September 2026
Accommodation arrival days
| Hall of residence | Arrival days |
| Archers Road (Romero Hall) | Saturday 12 September |
| Archers Road (Gateley Hall) | Sunday 13 September |
| City Gateway | Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September |
| Erasmus Park | Saturday 12 September |
| Glen Eyre | Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 September |
| Highfield Hall | Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September |
| Mayflower | Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 September |
| Orion Point | To be confirmed |
| Wessex Lane | Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September, |
You can view our interactive campus maps to start finding your way around our campuses.