Highfield Campus is the University of Southampton's main campus, at University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ. It is where most teaching, the Hartley Library, the Students' Union and the Jubilee Sports Centre sit, and it is the campus people mean when they say "Southampton uni" without qualifying it.
It is about 2.5 miles north of Southampton Central station, which is a 25 minute bus ride, and roughly a mile from Swaythling station, a 7 minute bus or a 20 minute walk.
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What is on Highfield Campus?
| Facility | What it is |
| Hartley Library | One of the largest university libraries in the south of England, open 24 hours a day |
| Jubilee Sports Centre | Gym and swimming pool |
| Students' Union (SUSU) | Union building with sports halls, bars, shops and society space |
| Centenary Building | One of the newest buildings on campus |
| Highfield Interchange | The bus hub where Uni-link routes depart |
| Teaching space | Over 180 bookable common learning rooms |
Research facilities on site are more specialist than most campuses. Highfield has wind tunnels used for aerospace, motorsport and marine work, the Zepler Institute cleanroom complex for photonics, refurbished chemistry labs, and music studios with live rooms and rehearsal space.
The 24 hour library matters more than it sounds. In exam season it is the difference between having somewhere to work at 2am and paying for a coffee shop seat until closing time.
Where exactly is Highfield Campus?
The postcode is SO17 1BJ, on University Road in the Highfield area of Southampton, north of the city centre and next to Southampton Common.
Getting there:
- By train: Southampton Central or Southampton Airport Parkway, then the Uni-link U1 bus to the campus interchange.
- By bus: Uni-link routes run regularly from Highfield Interchange to the other campuses, halls and the city centre.
- By coach: National Express serves Southampton coach station, then Uni-link.
- By air: Southampton International Airport, then Uni-link or taxi.
- By car: Southampton is 75 miles from London and 21 miles from the Channel ports. From the M3 leave at junction 14 and follow the A33 into Bassett Avenue. From the M27 leave at junction 5.
There is a pay and display car park near Buildings 1 and 16, but it fills early on weekday mornings. If you are visiting for an open day, arrive before 9am or use the park and ride.
How do the Uni-link buses work?
Uni-link is the university's own bus network, run in partnership with Bluestar, and it connects Highfield to the other campuses, the main halls and the city centre. The U1 is the route most students use because it links the campus to Southampton Central and the airport.
Students get discounted season tickets, and for most people living outside walking distance, an annual Uni-link pass works out cheaper than paying per journey. If you are choosing between two rooms, check which Uni-link route serves the door before you sign anything. A ten minute difference in bus stop distance turns into about 80 hours over an academic year.
Which halls are near Highfield Campus?
Two university villages are within a short walk:
- Glen Eyre: a 10 minute walk from Highfield. The largest hall complex and where most first years end up.
- Wessex Lane: also about a 10 minute walk from Highfield, in Swaythling, close to the station.
Beyond university halls, the main private student areas are Portswood and Highfield itself for walking distance, and the city centre for people who want nightlife and the shops over a short commute. Portswood High Street is the practical middle ground, with supermarkets and takeaways and a 15 to 20 minute walk to campus.
If you are looking at purpose-built options, you can compare verified student accommodation in Southampton or filter to rooms specifically mapped to the University of Southampton. We also have a full write-up of Cumberland Place Southampton if you are weighing up city centre living.
Highfield Campus vs the other Southampton campuses
Southampton is not a single-site university, and offer holders regularly turn up at the wrong campus in week one.
| Campus | Roughly what is there |
| Highfield | Main campus. Most faculties, Hartley Library, SUSU, Jubilee Sports Centre |
| Avenue Campus | Humanities, a short walk from Highfield across the Common |
| Boldrewood | Engineering and maritime, including the towing tank |
| National Oceanography Centre | Ocean and earth science, down at the docks |
| Winchester School of Art | Art and design, in Winchester, not Southampton |
Check which campus your course is actually taught on before you choose where to live. A Winchester School of Art student living in Portswood has a daily train commute they did not plan for.
Is the Highfield area a good place to live?
For most students, yes. It is residential, quiet compared with the city centre, and bounded by Southampton Common, which is a genuine advantage for running and for not living on a main road. The trade-off is that it is expensive relative to Portswood and there is very little going on at night.
The honest downsides: parking is difficult and mostly permit-controlled, the area empties out over summer, and if you want a bar that is not the union you are getting a bus.
Whichever area you pick, the usual safety habits apply. Our guides on staying safe in shared student housing and what to do if you feel unsafe in your accommodation are worth reading before you move in rather than after.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the postcode for Highfield Campus?
SO17 1BJ. The full address is University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ.
Is Hartley Library open 24 hours?
The university describes Hartley Library as open 24 hours a day. Individual service desks and some collections have shorter staffed hours, so check the library page for the specific service you need.
How far is Highfield Campus from Southampton Central?
2.5 miles, roughly a 25 minute bus ride on Uni-link.
How far is Highfield Campus from the nearest train station?
Swaythling is about a mile away, a 7 minute bus ride or a 20 minute walk.
Can visitors park at Highfield Campus?
Yes, there is a pay and display car park near Buildings 1 and 16, but it fills up quickly on weekday mornings.
How long does it take to walk from Glen Eyre to Highfield?
About 10 minutes. Wessex Lane is a similar distance.