School of Humanities

Global challenges

Our work also addresses some of the world's greatest challenges, locally, nationally and internationally. We work in relevant areas, for example:

• racism
• migration and refugees
• intercultural relations
• well-being
• climate

International opportunities

We have sustained partnerships with prominent international universities to enhance our research and increase our global reputation.

Interdisciplinary culture

We develop high impact collaborative projects within the University, the sector and the wider community. Working across disciplines is a positive advantage to Humanities research. Humanities researchers can offer a critical voice and cultural perspective as part of an interdisciplinary agenda.

The Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities enables humanities scholars to participate fully in a rapidly changing research and funding landscape. The Institute promotes the local, national and international significance and visibility of all Humanities research.

Our curriculum reflects the expertise and passion that our staff and students share for their subject areas. This is embodied by the 8 departments which make up our School.

Interdisciplinary study

At the same time, we embrace interdisciplinary study, demonstrated by the wide range of joint honours programmes we offer. In particular, our BA liberal arts allows students to follow a broad humanities curriculum with 14 specialist pathways from across the humanities and social sciences.

Curriculum

The first year of our undergraduate curriculum is designed to support students in their transition to University study. It provides a solid grounding in their chosen subject areas. In subsequent years, our flexible curriculum allows students to build on this foundation and tailor their studies to their own specialist interests.

Allied to their main subjects, students are able to:

• pursue study abroad opportunities
• gain professional experience through work placements
• undertake a year in employment

The work of our team at the Digital Humanities facilities allows students to explore digital and computational approaches to the study of the humanities. They are able to develop subject specific digital skills and knowledge.

Our research, teaching and knowledge exchange and enterprise are international in outlook and our alliances and collaborations have a global reach. We aim to facilitate educational experiences that will help Southampton graduates to understand different perspectives and develop the skills that they will need to flourish in the global workplace. 

Mission statement

Equitable community-building

This relies on the co-creation of the School as an inclusive environment where we feel safe in bringing our whole selves to work and study. Senior academic staff, early career scholars, administrative and other staff and students at all levels are invited to join in this process.

Accessible practices and interactions

This is the commitment to make deliberate decisions in ensuring that nobody is disadvantaged by what we do and how we do it. We seek to engage meaningfully with one another in the spirit of collegiality, reducing barriers to access and success for all.

Transparent processes 

We have transparent processes that build a culture of openness and accountability, enabling all to understand the rationale for decisions made through plain communication and meaningful collaboration.