Studying in South East England

Our student guide to South East England unpacks the region’s universities, transport, things to do and shares insight from current students.

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 20 Sep 2023

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Birdseye view of Brighton Pier and the entire town

About South East England
Places in South East England
Universities in South East England
Getting around South East England
Things to do in South East England

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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 major city 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
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 often treated as a separate region.

Universities in South East England

A broad spectrum of universities calls South East England home. 12 of these feature regulary in the top 100 of our league tables including Oxford University often taking the number one spot:

Further education colleges in the region include:

GO TO
University rankings in South East England

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 amenable to walking while hiring a car is easy to do 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. Regional airports, such as Bournemouth and Southampton, have international flights, while the UK’s two busiest airports, London Heathrow and London Gatwick, are an easy train ride away.

Ferry

Ferry transport does occur in South East England but not within the region. The region has routes to Holland, Belgium, France, and Spain. You can also catch ferries to some UK destinations like the Isle of Wight. Portsmouth, Newhaven, and Dover all have ports.

Rail

Students typically don’t use rail to get around their town but do when travelling throughout the region and UK. Southeastern is the main operator, with Southern, Great Western and Cross Country all providing extensive links. Direct lines often run to and from London also. 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 slither 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 Gay Pride in Brighton or Hampshire’s 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 Southampton and Brighton, 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 adventure through the Cotswolds and countryside of Southampton. Sussex’s sunsets can be magical too.