An unrivalled location
The University of Surrey is ideally located for international students.
Close to the two main international airports, it is based in the safe, attractive town of Guildford in the beautiful South East of England and is less than an hour from all the world-class attractions of London.
See a map of the University's location in the UK.
Guildford – your university town
Guildford was voted one of the top ten places to live in a recent survey on UK television. Set in the heart of Surrey’s rolling countryside, the bustling, historic town centre is just ten minutes’ walk away from the University. Guildford has a population of around 250,000 and is one of South-East England's top shopping centres. Offering all the amenities of a modern city, Guildford has an excellent nightlife, with 3 nightclubs, a huge variety of pubs and bars, great restaurants, and excellent sports facilities.
See a 360 degree panorama of Guildford High Street at the University of Surrey virtual tour.
London on your doorstep
One of the great things about Guildford is that it is so close to London. In only 40 minutes you can be right in the heart of this great city meaning that it’s close enough to visit for the evening or weekend. The University of Surrey gives you easier access to London than nearly every other UK university.
Exploring the region
It is also a great base from which to explore further. England's beautiful south coast is also within easy reach; the seaside city of Brighton is ever-popular with international visitors and UK nationals alike. If you want to, it's very easy to take a quick trip over to Europe during the vacations.
See more information on local, national and international transport links.
Climate
The UK has 4 distinct seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter. The South East region's climate is among the warmest in the country, with mild winters and moderate summers. Temperatures in the summer average 18°C (64°F) but can occasionally reach 30°C (85°F) or more. In spring and autumn temperatures average 11-15°C (50-58°F) and in winter around 6°C (42°F). However, UK weather can be unpredictable - sometimes with sunny winter days and cloud and rain in summer!
See the current weather in Guildford: 5-day forecast.
Key journey times
- 7-12 minutes from the University campus to the centre of Guildford
- 50 minutes from Guildford to Heathrow airport
- 40 minutes from Guildford to Gatwick airport
- 35-40 minutes from Guildford to central London
See maps and transport information for the University of Surrey
Guildford's entertainment
- A lively nightlife – an eclectic mix of over 25 pubs and bars, restaurants and cafes for all tastes and budgets
- A nine-screen cinema
- The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – a major regional theatre and performance venue
- The Electric Theatre – community arts, comedy, music and cabaret
- The Spectrum Leisure Centre – recently rated the top leisure centre complex in the country through the Quest assessment
- Home of Guilfest – one of the most popular and fastest growing festivals in the country
- Some of the best shopping in the South East
Quick trips and places to visit
- Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty
- World-class sporting venues – Wimbledon (tennis), Twickenham (rugby union), Epsom and Ascot (horse racing), Sunningdale and Wentworth (golf), The Oval (cricket)
- Historic places – Hampton Court, Windsor Castle
- Theme parks – Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures
