So, you’re thinking about applying to uni in the South East of England? Or maybe you’ve already applied and you’re making your final choice. Don’t worry, we’ve got 15 reasons why the South East is a great place to pick for your studies.
Updated: 15 Jul 2026
The South East of England ,is packed with brilliant universities, including the likes of the University of Oxford, University of Southampton, University of Surrey, University for the Creative Arts and more. With such a range of top unis on offer in the region, you’ll be sure to find one that’s got what you’re looking for. If that wasn’t enough, here are our top 15 reasons to make the South East your uni home.
With so many unis on offer, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whatever subject area you’re interested in, you’ll find a uni that excels here. On top of that, you’ll find state-of-the-art facilities at unis across the region, including modern libraries, industry-standard laboratories and plenty of IT resources, study spaces and well-equipped learning spaces.
If you want to be close to the capital, but aren’t sure if you want to be constantly surrounded by the bustle, the South East offers unis that make the perfect compromise. As the region includes London, you do also have the opportunity to study and live in London. Each neighbourhood in London has its own feel, so there’s plenty to choose from even within the capital.
The South East has hundreds of miles of coastline and beaches to explore. No matter where you are in the South East, you’re never too far away from the coast for a day trip. Sure, if you’re in Southampton you’ll be closer to the coast than if you’re in Buckingham, for example, but the sea air is never too far away in the South East.
If you’re someone who’s into the arts, you’ll find there’s loads to pique your interest in the South East. Whether you prefer museums, art galleries or theatres, you’ll be well-catered for across the region.
For those who enjoy reconnecting with nature, strolling through the woods and maybe encountering a bunch of ponies, the New Forest is the perfect retreat. Situated just east of Bournemouth, the New Forest offers over a hundred miles of walking trails as well as lots of opportunities for different activities including guided tours on bike.
The South East has a huge range of different restaurants, cafes, takeaways and pubs to choose from. Regardless of your budget, your dietary requirements and your preferences, you’ll find something that suits you in the region. London in particular is known for its density of eateries, but the entire region has a wide range of options to suit anyone.
If you’re a history buff, then you’ll be pleased to hear about the range of not only museums as we mentioned before, but historic buildings and locations. From castles to ports, the South East has a rich and interesting history to explore through its architecture.
One for the music fans. Reading in the South East is of course home to the Reading section of Reading and Leeds festival, a three-day event which takes place each year over the summer. Previous headlining acts have included Foo Fighters, The Cure, Arctic Monkeys and Stormzy. The festival has artists from across different genres, making it one of the UK’s most popular music festivals.
Regardless of what sport you’re into, you’ll be able to find ways to engage with it in the South East. Across the region, there are student and non-student clubs playing a huge range of sports you can choose to get involved in if playing is for you. If you prefer to watch sport, the region is home to famous rugby grounds, football grounds, cricket grounds and tennis grounds, and that’s only brushing the surface of the sports available to watch.
No matter which uni in the South East you choose, you’ll have access to all the student nightlife your uni town or city has to offer. You’ll also, however, have access to all the nightlife London has to offer thanks to the proximity of the capital. It’s the best of both worlds, as you can head to London to splash out and celebrate those special occasions, but you can also make the most of your local pubs and clubs throughout the rest of the term.
The region has strong transport links to the rest of the country via road and train. There are also multiple airports in the region for international travel, including London Heathrow and London Gatwick. No matter where you’re trying to get to, the South East offers some of the best transport connections in the UK.
The south of the UK is known for having a milder climate than the north. You can expect less disruption due to snow studying in the South East compared to other locations further north, and you’ll also find warmer average temperatures. We can’t promise it won’t rain a lot though!
If you’re thinking you might want to stay in the area you study after you graduate, the South East is a great choice. There are more jobs on offer here than in other regions (thanks London), so you’ll have lots of options when it comes to graduate work. More and more corporate jobs are offering hybrid work, meaning you’d go into the office a couple of days a week, making living outside of the city where your work is based and commuting in a more reasonable prospect.
Tied into the sheer number of unis, the graduate prospects and the fact that London is included in this region, there are tens of thousands of students living and studying across the South East. What this means is not only that you’ll be among a lot of similar people, but that there are loads of events specifically for students taking place across the region, as well as a lot of student discounts and offers up for grabs. Great for socialising and for your wallet, it’s a win-win.
You’ll find a lot of international students studying across the South East thanks to its welcoming reputation. It’s a very multicultural region, and there are people from all different backgrounds living, studying and working here. It’s a great environment to study as you’ll feel welcome from your first day, and you’ll also have the chance to meet people from all over the world.
Was that enough to convince you that the South East offers the perfect student experience? We hope so. Whether you’re looking for a vibrant and exciting city like London or Brighton & Hove or somewhere a smaller historic city or town such as Winchester or Buckingham, the South East has got you covered. With its amazing transport links, world-class educational opportunities and diverse culture, it’s got everything a student could want from their uni experience.
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