Nick Jones was in dynamic form and his hat trick of first-half tries turned the game at the University Oval in Southern's favour.
It was a free-flowing game and both teams gave the ball air and were prepared to counter-attack.
Accurate goal kicking by University first five-eighth Stephen Fenemore kept the students in touch and they led 13-10 after lock Sam Henry scored.
Jones, the Southern centre, had scored an early try but he stepped up to another level in the final minutes of the spell to score two tries to give Southern a 24-13 lead at the break.
The Southern midfield combination of Jones and Apelu Alapati cut huge holes in the student defence. Alapati stretched the gap to 15 points when he scored early in the second half.
The students were forced to play catch-up rugby after that and it was always going to be difficult.
Southern first five-eighth, Ben Patston, controlled play effectively and kicked five goals to score 12 of his team's points.
Added pressure was applied in the forwards by flanker TJ Ioane and lock Tom Franklin.
No 8 Paul Grant and Henry were the best of the student forwards.
Southern 37 (Nick Jones 3, Apelu Alapati, Dan Kittow tries; Ben Patston 3 con, 2 pen), University A 26 (Luke Balvert, Sam Henry tries; Stephen Fenemore 2 con, 4 pen).
Halftime: 24-13. Referee: Mike Smaill.
