Southampton Solent launches 2035 vision

Ready for the Future: Strategy 2035 details how Solent will become the leading practice-led university in the UK within ten years. Developed in partnership with students, staff and stakeholders, the strategy builds on its award-winning foundations through three clear strands of focus.

With the higher education landscape ever changing, Solent’s mission is to ensure everyone, no matter their age, can achieve their potential through tailored learning which also meets the needs of communities, industries and the wider region. The creation of a “Multiversity” drives forward intergenerational learning across the institution with the traditional 18-21 student demographic interacting with, and learning from, those with potentially varied skillsets and experiences and vice versa, supporting all to improve their knowledge and skills.

Solent's excellent city-centre location will be further utilised to benefit the local community and surrounding area. By bringing together staff and students with businesses, alumni and wider stakeholders, the university will expand collaborative activities to drive growth and innovation in the Solent region and beyond. As part of this Solent will build upon the existing range of impactful and relevant research and development already carried out by its academics. World class campus facilities will encourage inward investment into Southampton as a whole, helping to develop lasting partnerships that have a far-reaching impact.

As a city-region, Southampton has long been crucial in ensuring the UK is globally connected. Solent, through its world leading maritime education provision, is a major contributor to that success. Greater global connectivity expands knowledge and opportunities for academics, students and the community, and Solent's willingness to embrace technological advancements makes it easier than ever to meaningfully interact with others around the world. By embodying this connectivity and collaborative working, Solent will further its global reach, working with likeminded partners through knowledge sharing to positively impact global issues.

Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University, James Knowles, said:

“As an institution, Southampton Solent has constantly evolved since its early days as a School of Art more than 100 years ago. That is no different today, as we continue to embrace the changes needed to support our students and staff, whilst putting a strong focus on our local footprint.

“Our new strategy is ambitious and innovative. Embracing a modern, practice-led style of teaching ensures every student graduates from Solent equipped with the skills to meet their potential and be ready for the future.

“By working closely with partners and community leaders I am confident that this new vision will meet the needs of the region, to drive innovation and growth. With our world class facilities and excellent teaching, we will build an incredibly exciting future for everyone associated with the university.”

After winning the Office for Students’ Teaching Excellence Framework Triple Gold award in 2023, Solent has already proven itself a sector leading university, with many of its subject areas highly ranked nationally. The ‘practice-led learning’ that will form the basis of the new strategy will build upon this strong foundation. Students will be taught by industry experts using real life case studies so that when they take their next step, they are ready to achieve their goals.

The new strategy will officially be launched with a presentation to staff today (Thursday 6 February) before being showcased to stakeholders across the region over the coming months. Solent is also planning to unveil a renewed civic charter as part of the strategy, which will give local partners the opportunity to join the university in a commitment to driving forth common goals in the local community over the coming months.

You can view the full strategy here.