You get commuter-belt calm and safety plus fast access to central London, all within a genuinely pretty town. The Surrey Hills start right at the edge, so nature is never far.

• The University of Surrey (Stag Hill) is strong for engineering, business and hospitality.
• London Waterloo is only about 35-40 minutes by train.
• The Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, begin at the edge of town.

Social life centres on campus and the students' union, with the town's pubs a short walk downhill. It is smaller and quieter than a big-city scene, so people head to London for the biggest nights.

• Campus life centres on Rubix, the students' union venue, and the lakeside Manor Park village.
• The cobbled High Street and Onslow Village pubs are the town's social spots.
• The Studcasa Guildford group helps you meet people beyond your course.

Surrey is expensive, so rent will be your biggest outlay, but a railcard and off-peak travel soften London trips. The monthly farmers' market is good for value.

• Budget around GBP 900-1,400 a month, with rent the main cost.
• A 16-25 Railcard pays for itself fast on London trips.
• The monthly farmers' market on the High Street is good for local produce.

Manor Park is the main student village, with shared houses near the station and in Guildford Park. Rents are high, so teaming up early pays off.

• Manor Park is the main campus student village.
• Guildford Park and the roads near the station are popular for shared houses.
• Team up early via the Studcasa Guildford group to keep rent manageable.

Fast trains to London Waterloo are the town's big advantage, with local buses linking campus and station. The centre is compact but steep.

• South Western Railway runs fast trains to London Waterloo in about 35-40 minutes.
• Stagecoach buses link campus, town and the station.
• The town is walkable but hilly, so comfy shoes help on the cobbles.

The University of Surrey dominates, known for its year-long professional placements. Two smaller institutions add to the student mix.

• The University of Surrey is the main host, with the University of Law and ACM also in town.
• Surrey's Professional Training placement year is a big draw.

Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have free movement, so most non-Irish students need permission to study. For an exchange of up to six months you can often come under the Short-term study route or simply as a Standard Visitor, depending on your nationality and course length. For a full year you will need a Student visa sponsored by your host university.

What applies depends entirely on your passport, so confirm with the university and official UK government guidance early. The Student visa needs a CAS reference from your uni, proof of funds and usually the immigration health surcharge, so budget both time and money for it.

• Exchange under 6 months, often Standard Visitor or Short-term study
• Full year, Student visa with a CAS from your uni
• Irish citizens, no visa needed under the Common Travel Area
• Budget for the immigration health surcharge on longer visas

Eating and shopping cluster on the High Street and by the river. Theatre and live music round out the cultural offer.

• The High Street and Tunsgate Quarter have most of the eating and shopping.
• Enjoy a riverside pint by the River Wey near the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.
• G Live hosts touring gigs and comedy.

The town runs from the campus on Stag Hill down to the historic centre and out to leafy villages. Your choice balances campus convenience against a quieter setting.

• Stag Hill and Manor Park for campus living.
• The town centre for the High Street buzz.
• Onslow Village for a quieter, leafy base.

London is a short hop, and the coast and countryside are close in every direction. The Surrey Hills are practically on your doorstep.

• London Waterloo is about 35 minutes by train.
• Box Hill and the North Downs are a short hop for walks.
• Brighton (about 1.5 hours) and Portsmouth (about 1 hour) are easy coast trips.

Train fares add up, so plan travel around a railcard and off-peak times. Make the most of the hills and countryside on your doorstep.

• Budget for train fares, and use a railcard and off-peak travel to save.
• A bike here needs decent gears, given the hills.
• Walk to St Martha's Hill and Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills.