Employer Links

Southampton Solent University prides itself on its close working relationships with business and industry and on its excellent employment rate for its graduates. This is demonstrated throughout the organisation, from individual course links, ongoing careers and employer events, to University-wide partnerships.

University-wide involvement with regional businesses

Southampton Solent University plays a leading role in Business Southampton, an organisation which works to further Southampton as the major City of Excellence for business and economic growth on the South Coast. Through this organisation, the University is actively involved with leading regional economic players such as Associated British Ports (ABP).

Successful employment for students

Latest figures show that more students than ever are successfully finding employment after graduating from Southampton Solent University, and 83% of students find employment within 6 months after their final term.  In relation to the national employability indicator, the University not only ranks ahead of local universities in terms of exceeding benchmark expectations but also ranks above the national average.

Employers are approaching the University every day to promote their opportunities, be it graduate traineeships, part-time jobs, placements, work experience, full-time or voluntary opportunities. Over 1000 opportunities are advertised through the University's Careers & Jobshop every year. There are many ways employers can promote their company at Southampton Solent University, be it having a stand on campus, attending a careers fair, presenting a workshop, representing themselves at a careers forum, or interviewing students on campus, etc.  Click here| for more information.

The University is a partner in the successful graduate retention project Graduate Jobs South (GJS).  GJS is a collaborative initiative with the University of Southampton and the University of Winchester working with stakeholders to keep the skills of graduates in the region to improve the local economy. 

GJS has grown from initially working with small to medium sized companies in Southampton to all companies in the region.  Over 1,300 employers are registered with the website www.graduatejobsouth.co.uk  | Over 3,500 students and graduates also registered looking for graduate opportunities in the region. 

Individual faculties

Through its Warsash Maritime Academy, the University has developed strong links with leading global brands including Shell, BP, Carnival group, Maersk, Evergreen, and Eurasia. This is through the provision of maritime training and consultancy.

The University's Centre for Professional Development in Broadcast and Multimedia Production, which opened last year, enjoys ongoing support from a range of private sector partners, most notably ITV Meridian. One of the many benefits of this arrangement is high quality work experience placements for students. The Centre provides industry-standard training and consultancy to students, community groups and practising professionals from the growing number of creative and media companies now locating to the South Coast and Southampton area.

Course-level links with employers

Given the vocational nature of the University's courses, links with industry at course-level are too numerous to list in detail. Examples include:

  • Southampton Football Club – students on the BA (Hons) Film and Television Studies have the opportunity to operate extra cameras behind the goals alongside the main ITV cameras, providing digital footage for highlights packages shown on the giant stadium screens.
  • British Army – the University recently announced a unique partnership which has led to the development of two new business courses specially designed to help soldiers at all levels develop their study skills.
  • Dolby Laboratories – the University's Media Technology Programme has a seven-year long close working partnership, which includes work placements, workshops and input into curriculum development from the company's senior managers.
  • Linden Homes – students on the BSc (Hons) Construction/Management course are given the opportunity to present to the Group's directors as part of a final year project. The company also awards a generous prize to successful students.
  • Southampton City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, and Fareham Borough Council – various departments within these Hampshire-based councils provide collaboration and work experience for students on courses as diverse as BA (Hons) Design Studies students and LLB (Hons) Law.


Professional body accreditation

Many courses are also accredited by professional industry bodies, giving students the additional benefits of recognition by their chosen industry. For example, students on the BSc (Hons) Health, Exercise and Physical Activity degree course will gain accreditation from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists (BASES) as well as gaining entry to the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS).