Student guide to South East England

Studying in South East England presents a diverse landscape of locations, from historic country towns like Canterbury, Oxford and Winchester, to larger city locations such as Reading and Guildford. There are a handful of towns like Portsmouth, Brighton and Southampton scattered along the south coast, and more throughout the home counties.  

In the middle of all this, we have London – arguably one of the most well-known cities in the world, and superbly connected with the rest of the country.  

Wherever you choose to study, you’ll find plenty of things to do. We’ve compiled the following guide to living in South East England as a student to show you what you can expect. 

Student activities in South East England 

In London particularly, there is a huge selection of cultural institutions which are free to enjoy. The city boasts some of the finest art galleries and museums in the world, including the National Gallery, Tate Modern, Science Museum, Whitechapel Gallery and V&A Museum. There are many others which organise paid exhibitions, although you can often find student tickets at discounted prices. 

Many university locations in South East England are well placed for you to visit some truly fascinating historical sites. For example, Canterbury has one of the oldest and most famous cathedrals in the world, and the region is dotted with Roman relics – there are ancient villas, castles and settlements which can be visited for free or for a small fee. 

The coast is also full of places to visit, from the white cliffs of Dover to the artsy towns of Brighton and Margate, from Bournemouth Pier to the Isle of Wight. Some unis are even located within walking distance of the beach! 

NEXT: See our guide to the top ten things to do in the South East of England

Nightlife in South East England 

Wherever you are studying, you’ll likely be able to start your night in your university’s Students’ Union bar. From there on out, you will typically find a selection of traditional and modern pubs, bars, cocktail spots, music venues and nightclubs. Towns like Canterbury and Winchester are known for their pubs and dining scene, whereas in Southampton and Portsmouth you’ll find sports bars, student clubs aplenty. 

The nightlife scene will vary from place to place. Brighton has one of the best late-night clubbing scenes outside of London, with parties at venues such as Volks Club and PRYZM. 

Live music fans will find plenty of smaller bands playing in local music clubs, sometimes for free entry. Major international acts tour South East England frequently, and many cities have large venues like Bournemouth’s O2 Arena in which to host them. Ticket prices vary considerably, and sometimes sell out in minutes, so keep an eye out for future events and be ready. 

Student accommodation in South East England 

The South East has seventeen universities outside of London and is the most populous of any region in the UK, with about eight million people living there. This means there are a lot of students and a large demand for student-friendly housing, bringing plenty of choice at a range of budgets. 

Typically, your university will offer you a place in halls of residence for your first year, and this presents a highly convenient option with term-length contracts and all utilities bills usually included for somewhere around £150 to £250 per week for a self-catered room. 

Many unis also offer catered accommodation packages, so if you’re interested in spending a little money to save time, then this might be the choice for you. UCL, Royal Holloway, King’s College and LSE all offer catered halls of residence contacts which typically include two meals per day. Check out your chosen university’s accommodation page if this sounds appealing to you. 

Rental prices vary quite considerably across South East England. Unsurprisingly, London is the most expensive in the region. Outside of London, Oxford has the highest cost of £1,700 for a studio apartment and £2,460 for a three-bedroom flat. Dover is at the cheaper end of the scale, with studio flats at £850 per month, and £1,350 for a three-bedroom apartment.  

In general, the further from London, the lower the rent. But do some local research and if you give yourself enough time, you’ll usually be able to find something reasonable. 

Transport in South East England 

South East England is a highly connected region, both domestically and internationally. There are six international airports in and around London alone, and a further two in Bournemouth and Southampton. The Channel Tunnel provides a route to France with both car and Eurostar options available. 

Most uni towns have buses for getting around, and a monthly pass is a great cost-saving decision which has the benefit of unlimited travel. Cycling is a good way to navigate your local area, and has many advantages such as daily exercise, significant cost saving and being more environmentally sustainable than most other forms of transport. 

Student costs in South East England 

When budgeting for your weekly living expenses, accommodation will likely be the major factor. Beyond this, you’ll need to think about groceries, transport, utilities, entertainment, and any university-related expenses that aren’t covered by your tuition fee loan.  

Groceries usually take up a big part of your total monthly budget, around £146 per month on average. This can be reduced by buying in bulk, or shopping at low-cost outlets such as Lidl or Costcutter. 

You’ll probably eat out once or twice a week, and this can vary quite a bit in terms of cuisine style and cost. Oxford has the highest rent prices outside of London, but surprisingly affordable restaurant prices. An inexpensive meal out starts around £20, and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant can cost about £50 on average. 

NEXT: Read more about the cost of living as a student in South East England

What South East England is known for 

If you’re living in London and want to try something local, then look out for a traditional pie and mash ship or if you’re feeling adventurous try a bowl of jellied eels! 

Universities in South East England

South East England has a huge number of universities – there are 21 within London alone, and a further 17 distributed across the region. This includes large unis like UCL and King’s College, to specialist institutions like SOAS and the Royal College of Art. Some are very long-established, such as the University of Oxford which is over 900 years old, while some are more recent additions, like Ravensbourne University which gained its degree awarding status in 2018. There are campus universities like the University of Sussex and University of Kent, or non-campus institutions such as LSE. 

Whatever you wish to study, you can be sure that you’ll find somewhere in South East England to suit your academic aspirations as well as your lifestyle preferences. If you’ve got something in mind but aren’t sure where to study, we strongly suggest attending an open day to see things for yourself. There’s nothing quite like being there in person, and it’s a great opportunity to talk with current students to get the full low-down on specific courses, departments and accommodation options.