South East

Reading is home to the University of Reading, plus Berkshire College of Agriculture and the University College of Estate Management.

The Royal County of Berkshire has an illustrious reputation. Windsor Castle has served as a royal residence for almost a thousand years.

You’ll also find Eton College and Royal Ascot racecourse among its lush countryside settings.

Buckinghamshire is home to the University of Buckingham and Buckinghamshire New University, plus Buckinghamshire College Group.

Over a third of the county is made up of the Chiltern Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a haven for long walks and bike rides.

‘Bucks’ is also synonymous with Roald Dahl, with a number of events and activities dedicated to the author and his works.

East Sussex is home to the University of Sussex, University of Brighton, and Sussex and Brighton Medical School, plus East Sussex College and Greater Brighton Metropolitan College.

With its famous beach, proudly inclusive community, alternative spirit, and high student population, Brighton & Hove has long been a student favourite. Take the Seven Sisters Walk along the chalky white cliffs, for smaller coastal alternatives, like Eastbourne and Hastings.

Hampshire is home to the University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University, University of Portsmouth, and University of Winchester, plus University Centre Sparsholt and Peter Symonds' College.

Hampshire offers a little of everything, from cities by the sea with rich maritime histories like Portsmouth and Southampton, to picturesque county town Winchester, topped off with vast open spaces courtesy of the South Downs and the New Forest.

The Isle of Wight is a county and small island off the south coast of England.

A popular holiday destination, with plenty of watersports and locally made ice cream, it’s picked up the nickname, ‘Dinosaur Island’, for the extensive dinosaur remains that have been discovered here.

Despite its size and location, it’s also home to one of the music calendar’s biggest highlights, the Isle of Wight festival.

Kent is home to the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, plus Kent and Medway Medical School, University Centre West Kent, MidKent College, and North Kent College.

Named the ‘Garden of England’ by Henry VIII, Kent is swimming in history: from medieval castles and cathedrals, to charming seaside towns straight out of a Dickens’ novel.

Oxfordshire is home to the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, plus Activate Learning, SAE Institute, Oxford Business College, and Ruskin College.

Of course, Oxford is home to one of the world’s oldest universities, with plenty of stunning architecture to wander around. But there’s plenty of beautiful scenery beyond the city’s cobbled streets. The Cotswolds, the Chiltern Hills, and the North Wessex Downs all spill into Oxfordshire.

Surrey is home to the University of Surrey and Royal Holloway, University of London (in Egham), plus East Surrey College.

Surrey is full of nature and untouched woodland, with beautiful spots like Richmond Park and Box Hill when you need a break.

Plus, London is a short train ride away, making it one of the most affluent parts of the country.

West Sussex is home to the University of Chichester, plus Chichester College and West Dean College of Arts and Conservation.

Chichester is the county’s main student hub. It packs a lot in, including a stunning cathedral, Roman ruins, and a natural harbour that’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

While West Wittering beach is here, West Sussex has many coastal gems, including Worthing, Bognor Regis, and Littlehampton.