PhD Archaeology

University of Southampton

Best - professors and how much they care, mental health support specifically for neurodivergent students Worst - not being listened to by boards, changing assignment format for final years and compromising grades

Pros: - Two of the campuses are surrounded by nature. - Near the New Forest. - Big library. - Lots of workspaces. - Russel Group. - AMAZING teaching staff!!! - Located in a small city with many great green spaces. - Good pubs and live music. - Historic location. - Rent prices are acceptable for a city. - Great train connections - very easy to get to most places (inc. direct 45min train to London). - Bursaries available for struggling students (e.g. disabled, estranged, carers, etc.) Cons: - Higher Management keep increasing workload stress on staff. - Funding cuts to some departments deemed "unprofitable", despite their high student intake. - Lack of admin team for some departments (due to funding cuts). - Complex admin systems (in dire need of reduction/shrinking to increase efficiency), with no support for PGRs navigating these. - Student Union heavily cherry-picks which complaints to listen to/act on. - When organising fieldwork/data collection/conference travel/etc., PGRs and staff have to use Clarity/ClarityGo (a travel agency that takes significant commissions on bookings)

Personally, I have been very thankful to Southampton for accepting me and being a really good University with a bunch of lovely lecturers and staff. The COVID pandemic made it hard but, particularly in History and Archaeology, the lecturers adapted very well and work was still done efficiently. They were also able to open facilities that were needed and have thoroughly followed rules and cleaning regulations to keep us safe. Although I have heard other people not having the best experience (some doing masters), I have not had that many issues. Overall, a worthy place to study.

The course I find is fun, student life is aesome but the accommodation is bad and far and the organisation for my course is poor.