A HAMPSHIRE University has been named among the best in the UK for graduate start-ups for the third year running.

The Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey (HE-BCI) ranked Southampton Solent after 46 graduate start-ups were created in 2014-15, double the sector average of 22.

The survey includes more than 200 higher education institutions.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin said he was delighted with the ranking and commented: “At Solent, we have a strong entrepreneurial focus, supporting and encouraging students to excel.

“Any student who has a business idea can benefit from a range of services to turn their idea into a reality. These include training schemes, funding support, one-to-one mentoring, office facilities and business events.”

Last year, Solent announced a new enterprise crowdfunding platform, Launch Pad, which challenges students and graduates to raise funds themselves.

Mature student and single mum Joanne White was one of the first budding entrepreneurs to take advantage of the platform.

Along with her partner Jon, himself a Solent alumnus, they used Launch Pad to kick-start Rainha – a new brand of 'fightwear' sports clothing for women, focusing on martial arts.

“We had heard bits and pieces about Solent’s support for start-ups and funding, so we found an email address for someone that works in that area and basically flooded them with questions,” says Joanne, a third-year fashion graphics student at Solent.

“The uni has given us plenty of advice, but due to how much I’m juggling I can’t make it to all the workshops that are offered… so I’ve taken on an extra business unit this year, to fill any gaps!”