Information for parents

Before your son/daughter arrives at Solent, there are a few things that need to be considered or done:

• Pre-registration. Your son/daughter should have received an email containing a user name and password to access and complete pre-registration online. This also allows them to activate their IT account and University email address, as well as upload a photo for campus cards. This should ideally be completed by 15 September.
• Welcome Week timetable. This can be found on Solent Online Learning (accessed using user name and password, as above). This individual Welcome Week timetable gives information on what they’ll be doing and where in their first week.
• Apply for accommodation. Students who have chosen Solent as their first choice university receive an email from our accommodation team which tells them how to apply online for accommodation in University residences. Find out more about applying for accommodation. 
• Tuition fees. Be aware of how much the tuition fees are for their course, and when and how to pay them. Find out more. 

All rooms in our student residences have a bed, chairs, desk, wardrobe and bookshelf space. When thinking about what to bring, it’s easy to pack everything but the kitchen sink, but it’s not always necessary!

See our list of essential items to bring 

You can always bring more when you visit, or send them back with some bits and bobs when they come home to visit you.

It’s also important to bring key documents and information such as:

• University acceptance letter,
• student loan documents,
• accommodation contract,
• National Insurance number,
• NHS health card, passport or driving licence,
• bank account details,
• insurance document, and
• TV Licence (if applicable).

This will help with finalising the registration process during Welcome.

Before starting university, it’s a good idea for your son/daughter to devise a budget plan. This will help them manage their finances during their studies. To help make a start, see our information on living costs in Southampton. 

Often, both parents and students will experience a mixture of emotions when it’s time to ‘fly the nest’. And while it’s an exciting new chapter in their life with lots of new experiences to be had, your son or daughter may also feel anxious or homesick, especially in the early stages.

It may take a while for them to settle in and adjust to their new environment, but this is completely normal and lots of new students will be feeling the same. Try to stay positive, offer encouragement and be there when they need you. Remind them that they’re not the only one feeling homesick - other students will be experiencing the same emotions.

We are happy to provide general advice and support to parents - feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, or if you have any concerns about your son or daughter's welfare. However, please be aware that due to data protection laws, we will be unable to discuss details about individual students. Email: wellbeing@solent.ac.uk Tel: 023 8201 5200.

Agree before your son/daughter comes to Solent how often you’ll keep in touch and by what means. Remember also, the first couple of weeks of university can be a bit of a whirlwind. Your son/daughter is likely to be caught up in getting to grips with their timetable, social activities, meeting new friends and exploring the city, so it’s good to try to be realistic about keeping in touch during Welcome.

Solent has lots of student support services. If you have concerns about your son or daughter, encourage them to contact our student support teams in the first instance.

Student Hub

The Student Hub's team of experienced and professional staff provides students information, advice and guidance on all aspects of student life. They're the first point of contact for any queries your son or daughter's course, or any personal matters that may affect their studies. 

Students are able to drop in and see them any time during normal office hours, or call them on 023 8201 5200.

Accommodation support

University life provides the opportunity to be independent and for your son / daughter to stand on their own two feet, but equally we believe that help should never be far away, so a dedicated student residence management team is on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Rest assured that once your son or daughter arrives to study with us, they’ll be well looked after, and provided with all the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in their studies – and beyond.

Once our students graduate, the support we offer continues as they become Solent alumni. With three further years of careers advice, as well as 20% off tuition fees on postgraduate courses, we’re here to help as they take their next steps out into the world.

At Solent, we’re immensely proud of our students, and we look forward to welcoming your child to Southampton, where we’re certain they’ll make memories for life.