Studying in South East England

CONTENTS

1. About South East England

2. Places in South East England

3. Universities in South East England

4. Getting around South East England

5. Things to do in South East England

About South East England

To be the region in the UK that sees the most sunshine is a claim only South East England can make. Along with its charming towns, vast coastlines and rolling hills, getting comfortable as a student in this part of the UK shouldn’t take you long.

South East England is also one of the UK’s most densely populated regions. This is in part thanks to its proximity to London, making it an ideal location for students wanting to be near the capital without having to live in it.

Places in South East England

The following nine counties make up England’s South East:

• Berkshire
• Buckinghamshire
• East Sussex
• Hampshire
• Isle of Wight
• Kent
• Oxfordshire
• Surrey
• West Sussex

The major cities and towns to be aware of in South East England include:

• Brighton and Hove
• Canterbury
• Chichester
• Dover
• Oxford
• Portsmouth
• Reading
• Southampton
• Winchester

Each of the above places has at least one university or further education college. London is technically in South East England but is treated as a separate region. 

Universities in South East England

A broad spectrum of universities call South East England home. Several feature in the top 100 of our league tables, with the University of Oxford often taking the number one spot.

• BIMM University
• Bucks New University
• Canterbury Christ Church University
• Oxford Brookes University
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• Southampton Solent University
• University for the Creative Arts
• University of Brighton
• University of Buckingham
• University of Chichester
• University of Kent
• University of Oxford
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Reading
• University of Southampton
• University of Surrey
• University of Sussex
• University of Winchester

Getting around South East England

Getting around the region’s made easy by plenty of available public transport. Many of the towns are cycle-friendly and easy to walk around. And it's easy to hire a car if you fancy a weekend away.

Air

You won’t fly within the South East England region but will do so when travelling to other parts of the UK and abroad. Nearby airports, such as Bournemouth and Southampton, often have international flights. The UK’s two busiest airports, London Heathrow and London Gatwick, are an easy train ride away.

Ferry

Ferry transport is found at various ports along the coast. The region has a number of routes to France and Spain, with ports found at Portsmouth, Newhaven and Dover. If you want to go to the Isle of Wight, frequent ferries depart from Southampton.

Rail

Students typically don’t use rail to get around their town but do when travelling throughout the region and UK. Several operators serve the region, including Southeastern, Southern, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and CrossCountry. all providing extensive links. Direct lines often run to and from London. Be sure to purchase a 16–25 Railcard for cheap travel.

Bus

Most towns have their own local bus services. Check which links take you to campus, and where the nearest stops to your accommodation are. Bus travel is generally cheap and student discounts are often available. Megabus and National Express both provide long-distance services for travel across the region and UK.

Cycle

You’ll find most towns to be cycle-friendly, and it’s one way to save money as a student. Check what cycle schemes your university offers or find a local second-hand bike shop. There are also National Cycle Network routes provided by Sustrans.

Other

You won’t need a car in most towns thanks to available public transport but having or hiring one for weekends away is handy. There should be at least one local taxi service operating in your area, and potentially a ride-hailing service like Uber or Bolt. Living near campus and the centre of town might make walking another great transport option.

Things to do in South East England

When you’re not basking in coastal explorations or countryside walks, South East England offers enough events, history, and creative culture to keep you occupied. You’ll also have the luxury of London being but a train ride away.

Arts & culture

Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and Brighton’s Royal Pavilion are just a slice of the region’s cultural history. There are galleries like Turner Contemporary in Margate or Fabrica in Brighton with regular art and photography exhibitions, and there’ll be theatre performances at places like Chichester’s Festival Theatre. Explore your town’s local museums too.

Events

Some of the UK’s most notable festivals call South East England home, like Brighton & Hove Pride, or Hampshire Food Festival. Scout your local venues, like Hexagon in Reading, to see what theatre, comedy, and music gigs are on. You’ll have Premier League football in Brighton, and Championship football in Southampton, with top-tier cricket in Hampshire and Surrey. London, too, is never too far away. 

Outdoors

Being so near the coast means South East England offers an array of outdoor explorations. There are the cliffs of Beachy Head or Dover, coastal walks in Hampshire and seaside towns like Whitstable and Broadstairs near Canterbury. You can surf near Portsmouth, cycle around Brighton, or walk along the South Downs Way from Hampshire to East Sussex, enjoying magical sunsets along your way.

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