Guardian University Guide spells success for Solent

Following a triple gold stamp of approval from the Teaching Excellence Framework, signalling that Solent’s student experience and outcomes are typically outstanding, the University is now climbing the ranks in one of the country’s most-trusted league tables.

In the 2025 Guide, out of 108 institutions nationally, law at Solent has been ranked fifth, establishing the University as a go-to institution for students seeking a career in this area.

Assessing courses for overall excellence, graduate outcomes and value – among other areas – the Guardian’s latest rankings show that more than 80% of law graduates are in relevant employment or further study within 15 months of graduating. The Guide also awarded Solent an overall excellence rating of 88.8% across LLB (Hons) Law with Business, Law with Criminology and Law, coming out on top above all other universities in the region.

Law at Solent places an emphasis on industry networking and practical teaching, with many students securing training posts before they even graduate. Brad Kershaw, Course Leader Law, says:

“We are delighted with our result in this year’s Guide, which is a testament to the hard work of the Solent community. Our success reflects the commitment of our staff, as well as all our partners locally, regionally and nationally.

“Solent Law School continues to evolve its offer in collaboration with industry partners, the next step of which is the launch of the Southampton Solent Law Clinic, which will give students unique insight into the world of law.”

Solent is also celebrating its result for interior design subjects, placing sixth out of 31 institutions nationally which offer courses in this area. 90% of students say they are satisfied with their course at Solent, while 85% are happy with the feedback they receive. Subjects grouped in this area, which include BA (Hons) Interior Design Decoration, also boast a continuation rate – where students progress to their second year – of more than 90%.

Interior design students at Solent have the opportunity to work with real-world clients during their studies, including household names such as Ted Baker and IKEA. This approach invites students to grow their portfolio while cultivating meaningful connections, kickstarting their creative careers. Course Leader Interior Design Decoration, Lydia Southwell, says:

“At Solent, we are passionate about supporting students to achieve their very best, and we invest time in finding unique opportunities that help them do just that. Our performance in this year’s Guide demonstrates the high quality of our offering, which emphasises real-world learning, and confirms that students and graduates alike are satisfied with their experience at Solent.”

Architectural Design and Technology has also enjoyed success in this year's Guardian University Guide, ranking first in the country for student satisfaction with teaching. This result follows on from the subject's success in the Complete University Guide, where it also came first for student satisfaction.