College Name Location Specialties Student Population Year Founded
University of Surrey Guildford Science, Engineering, Technology ~16,000 1891
Royal Holloway, University of London Egham Arts, Humanities, Sciences ~11,000 1879
University for the Creative Arts Farnham & Epsom Art, Design, Media ~7,000 2005*
Guildford College Guildford Vocational courses, Apprenticeships ~7,000 1939
Brooklands College Weybridge & Ashford Automotive, Engineering, Vocational courses ~6,000 1951
East Surrey College Redhill Construction, Engineering, Creative Arts ~3,500 1897**

Choosing the Right College in Surrey

So, which college is the Surrey one for you? The key is to reflect on what your goals and preferences are for your studies – do you want a more classic university experience with a strong research culture, or are you happy with something more vocationally oriented? Do you want to study in a lively town such as Guildford or would you rather be in a rural environment?

Take into account, too, the specific activities being offered by the institution. While all the colleges discussed here are fantastic, each one has a different focus and specialisation. Look up information on the content of the course, how teaching is delivered, and the outcomes of the particular programmes you’re interested in.

Don’t neglect aspects of university life outside the lecture theatre either. And find out everything you can about student life, the campus, clubs and societies, the sports provision and accommodation. If you can, visit the different campuses; go for a walk around, sit in the library, look at the restaurants and bars and try to see yourself there.

Finally, think about where you want your career to take you in the long term. Look into the graduate employability rates for each institution, as well as the career support services they offer. Many of Surrey’s colleges have a strong presence in industry, which can make a huge difference when it comes to securing an internship or graduate job.

Whether you want to study in a traditional academic setting, embark on a creative journey or follow a more vocational qualification, Surrey’s wide variety of colleges means there is something available for all. It’s important to do your research and choose the right institution for you and your ambitions in order to enjoy the best of what a higher education in one of the most attractive counties in England has to offer.