London Property Market Update

Will there be a housing market crash?

From the pandemic to the costof-living crisis, Ukraine to the supply chain, rising interest rates to the inflation rate and not to mention politics, it feels like it’s been a never-ending conveyor belt of problems for buyers, sellers, landlords and renters over the past few years. Some people have benefited, others have suffered and everyone in the middle has a lot of questions to help ensure their next move is the right one for them.

Regardless of where you live and what your plans are for the rest of the year, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s lips is: “Will there be a housing crash in 2023 or 2024?” We know in the last month of 2022, the Bank of England further increased interest rates to a fourteen-year high of 3.5%. In February 2022, they raised it again for the tenth consecutive time to 4%. The latest rise was in May 2022 to 4.5%. This is having a material effect on the housing market, with higher mortgage prices affecting many people, including prospective buyers and those on fixed rate mortgages that will be looking to remortgage this year. These additional outgoings combined with the cost-of-living crisis will put a lot of people’s plans on hold, whether they’re first-time buyers or looking to move up the property ladder.

Further Bank of England data estimates more than two million borrowers with fixed-term deals will need to remortgage between now and the end of 2024. The Week reports that analysts at Pantheon Economics calculated an average household refinancing a two-year fixed-rate mortgage in the first half this year would see monthly repayments jump from

£863 to £1,490. While some broad strokes trends will be the same wherever you are in the country, London has - and always willmove to its own rhythm, and this is no different when it comes to property.

New analysis reveals where residential property sales are holding up the strongest. Despite showing some unexpected resilience in the early part of 2023, a combination of limited mortgage availability, higher interest rates and stretched affordability has taken the wind out of certain sections of the property market’s sails. Overall transaction volumes dropped in April, but a number of micromarkets are bucking the trend, with deal numbers well up on their pre-pandemic average. A leading agency’s data suggests confidence has made a swift return to the capital’s innermost districts post-Covid. Kensington and Chelsea (up 36% from 2019) and Westminster (up 22%) have seen marked increases in sales, along with Islington (up 19%) and Hammersmith & Fulham (up

10%). It’s noted that these areas are synonymous with cash and equity-rich buyers who are more immune to interest rate hikes and have also been cushioned from the affordability concerns governing lower value markets.

One of seven neighbourhoods surrounding central London’s biggest park, the postcode of W2 has historically seen precious little top-end development activity. Values in general have previously lagged those of other, more glitzier enclaves, but that’s now all changing. A leading agency found the median £’s per sq. ft. in Bayswater was just over £1,300 based on sales in 2022, compared with an average of almost £1,800 elsewhere around the park. That’s an increase of around a third over the past decade, however, with price growth accelerating more recently. The agency points to key drivers including proximity to the new Elizabeth line at Paddington and, crucially, a £3bn private and public regeneration programme. The Whiteley and No. 18 Porchester Gardens are “game changers,” says the leading agency, offering aspirational living, revamped retail and a world-class hotel and spa – and developers are eyeing up further opportunities.

Prices are on the rise in the Chelsea district, with JLL reporting that the average price paid for a home in Chelsea during the first quarter of 2023 was £2.5mn. This represents a 20% increase on Q1 2022, and a 37% jump since the start of the Covid pandemic (Q1 2019). Over the past ten years (20132022), there has been an average of 690 transactions in Chelsea per annum, with homes sold over £1mn making up 61% of total transactions during 2022. 2022 saw the highest number of £1mn+ transactions since 2015, representing a 25% increase compared to 2019. There was a 20% increase in transactions of homes over £1mn from 2020 to 2021 (330 to 396). “This reflects the ‘race for space’ trend we saw over the pandemic, as houses and larger homes became more popular than flats,” notes the JLL team, adding that the return of international buyers and an easing of travel restrictions also boosted high-value deal numbers. The supply of homes available to buy within Chelsea is improving, with 5.5% more properties on the market in Q1 2023 than a year earlier.

New data has hinted at a shift in Prime London’s lettings market, although we’re unlikely to see a return to normality any time soon. Demand and supply levels remain well out of balance and activity is still heavily constrained by the lack of stock, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the levels of discounting going on right now. The average discount to asking price reached 2.4% last month, according to the leading trade site LonRes, which remains low in a historical context but is down noticeably from late 2022, when properties were achieving above asking price on average. Meanwhile, the proportion of homes discounted before being let hit 25.9% in April, the highest level seen since August 2021. The rate of annual rental growth was still high, at 7.4% – pretty much in line with the past three months, but down from the extraordinary 25+% seen in Summer 2022. The number of new lets agreed was down 26.2% in April compared to the same month last year. Underoffer totals were lower by 23.7% on an annual basis, while new instructions showed a 12.2% fall. Compared to longer-term trends, new lets, new instructions and under offers all remain more than 50% below their pre-pandemic levels, said the LonRes report.

JEREMY CREASOR Founder Agent at Moveli

Bringing the sunshine indoors

The long-awaited warmer, longer and brighter days are upon us. As our mood lifts, our interiors call for more sunshine, colour and joy and, whenever possible, for the boundary between indoors and outdoors to be softened, so that we can extend our living space. How can we achieve a smooth link between our indoor and outdoor spaces, be they Juliette or step-out balconies, terraces or gardens?

Our first consideration would always be materials. There are many options available for the ground, the furniture or the equipment, offering a wider variety of colours, textures and great features for durability, maintenance and sustainability. Consider flooring: can we use the same or similar materials between both spaces, so the transition is seamless and easy to maintain? Choices go from wood flooring to decking and composite materials; über-versatile polished concrete inside, with a slightly rougher, anti-slip finish outside; porcelain or ceramic tile or natural stone, again ensuring a suitable texture to avoid slippage. Another option, especially if you have the space, is to have grass (real or fake) as an outdoor surface, and materials inside that complement it well, whether in matching colour or contrast - think of a funky tile or tinted poured micro-cement, a wonderful, deep anthracite slate or a honey oak flooring. Whichever of the materials above has your vote, it is then lovely to complement it with potted plants or flower beds, an herb garden or some fruit (olive, orange, lemon) trees that bring a life-affirming, colourful and organic contrast to a structured, perhaps geometric (think decking slats or tiles and stone slabs) and potentially urban context.

When the backdrop is set with the choice of materials and their natural counterparts, setting the scene with furniture and accessories is key. Will you be entertaining? Will you be meditating? Reading, exercising, suntanning, working, cooking, having breakfast? Will the kids be playing, friends coming over for a heart-to-heart or to watch the game? Will the two of you snuggle up as the sun comes down? Answering these questions will inform your choices, in terms of space, sizes, finishes, colours… you could have a day bed that doubles up as a sofa or a bench, with a bunch of colourful cushions that are easy to take out and put away in a lidded flat-topped ottoman trunk that serves as a coffee/ dining table. You could have a couple of comfortable Adirondack chairs with comfy throws and foldable, stackable chairs for company or upholstered pouffes that you use as footstools or additional seating. You could have a built-in bench that can be covered with a mattress and cushions for lying or sitting on or, when uncovered, can be sat next to as a casual dining or buffet table or even a work surface. The smaller the space, the more versatile and modular the furniture, accessories and equipment should be, so as to allow a variety of scenarios to unfold. You can play with colour, contrast, patterns, textures, neutrals and soft hues or deep, saturated tropical tones, perhaps even a colour scheme for each season or type of moment - have fun, create a little world out there!

When the furniture and equipment (hammock, barbecue, fire pit, pizza oven, tree house, etc.) are chosen to be given pride of place, the crucial finishing touch to truly make your outdoor space is lighting. As for all spaces, whether indoor or outdoor, layering is key. Think of all of the above activities and how to cater to them. Should you be cooking, you will need bright, task lighting (obviously suitable for the outdoors), focused enough to work well under, while not blinding others who are sharing the space. Should you be eating, you will want moody but bright enough light, not directed at you but ambient and even, coming from evenly spaced outdoor hanging lanterns, storm lamps or planted directional spike lights, which will also be great to create focal points and set the mood. And whether you are celebrating, lounging, enjoying sundowners or setting the world right, nothing quite creates the right atmosphere, adding a dream-like quality to any space, better than candles. But I suggest you also think of and allow for permanently installed (outdoor) fairy lights, mini lanterns or hanging string lights. These come in a plethora of shapes, colours, levels of brightness and solar, batteryor mains-operated models, which can provide flexibility, possible dimming or varying intensities to tick a few of the necessary boxes in terms of efficiency, brightness and focus.

The scene is set, the cushions plumped, the drinks await, condensation glistens on the glasses and colourful tiny umbrellas add pops of colour against the lush green backdrop - have a seat, take in the view and let the sun kiss your cheeksummer is here, finally!

MARIE-NOËLLE SWIDERSKI Galuchat Design

www.galuchatdesign.com

How to spend your time once exams are over

After a jam-packed few months filled with revision and exams, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief once your exam timetable reaches its end. Only one question remains – now what? You’ve got a few months stretching ahead of you before you begin your next endeavour, so you might be wondering how best to spend your time. Hopefully, this article will give you a few ideas!

Pick up a new hobby

There’s likely many new hobbies you’ve considered picking up but decided against, or maybe, in the run-up to exams, you thought of something you’ve always wanted to try, but had to put aside in favour of revision. Now is the perfect time to pick it up – you’ve got nothing to lose! It might be an artistic hobby like painting, drawing or crocheting, or perhaps you’ve never been particularly sporty but want to give it a go! Summer is the perfect time to join a tennis club or try out badminton. Who knows, any new hobby you pick up could serve you well if you’re attending university in the Autumn: there are all sorts of clubs and societies available and picking up a new hobby could be the key to joining a society you’d never thought of, meeting some amazing people in the process!

Getting a summer job is a great way to spend time during your holidays. You’ll earn some extra money, get valuable work experience, gain useful skills for your CV and you might even form new friendships with your co-workers! If you already have a particular skill or hobby, this could help you get work, whether that’s your tennis proficiency enabling you to become a tennis coach, or your knack for mathematics allowing you to become a GCSE or A Level Mathematics tutor.

If you have some spare time over the summer, why not help out in your local community? You could volunteer in a charity shop, help out in nearby food banks, or even do something on a smaller scale, like helping a neighbour with their shopping or offering to feed their pets while they’re on holiday. There are so many ways you can help your community on smaller and larger scales, and it is definitely a valuable use of your time.

With the rise in remote work that took place over the pandemic, online courses have become easily accessible, with many available for free or at minimal cost. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a great way to learn an array of new skills in areas like economics, law, engineering, communication and electronics – all for free! Harvard University also offers free courses on topics like game development, history and astrology. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to learn more about – whether that’s something beyond your A Level topics or perhaps something you’ve never learned about before – now is the perfect opportunity to dive in and expand your knowledge.

www.mooc.org pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free

After an intense period of revision and exam stress, an ideal way to spend your time is to get out of the house and see some new places! If you want to travel somewhere completely new and different, travel agents like G Adventures offer group tours for ‘18-to-Thirtysomethings’, allowing you to make new friends and travel to places like Morocco, the Baltics and Costa Rica – their tours are planned out for you, so all you’ve got to do is show up and be excited! If you want to try something a bit more independent, interrailing is always a popular choice for students; a study by Bounce revealed that the top ten best European cities for interrailing this summer are Barcelona, Porto, www.gadventures.com/travelstyles/18-to-30somethings usebounce.com/blog/europeinterrailing-index

Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Lisbon, Valencia, Athens, Bordeaux and Florence. Or why not explore the UK? There’s bound to be areas you haven’t explored – grab a friend, plan a route, whether that’s using the bus, train, car or a combination, and get going! There’s so much to see, even in places that feel closer to home.

Learn another language

Why not use some time this summer to learn another language? Now that you’re not restricted to the GCSE curriculum, you have the opportunity to learn any language you want! Language learning apps like Duolingo and Babbel are an excellent starting point – Duolingo offers over 40 languages, from Spanish and German to Swahili and Vietnamese. Even YouTube has some amazing video lessons available from experienced language teachers – have a look around and see what you can find! Or why not try a more traditional learning route? Take some language classes, find books on language learning in your local library or even just surround yourself with the language by travelling to its country of origin! You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn by using one or a combination of these methods throughout the summer. www.duolingo.com uk babbel.com

Now that your exam stress is over, take some time to rest! You’ve worked so hard the last few years, and you’ve now got this summer to have a bit of peace before university begins. While you’ll definitely want to prepare yourself for university and make the most of the summer, make sure you take some time to just do nothing! Watch some Netflix, curl up with a nice book, take a walk in the sunshine – relax and recharge your brain after what was most likely a stressful period of exams and revision. Don’t forget that you should be so proud of yourself - congratulate yourself for all of your hard work!

ROHINI BHONSLE-ALLEMAND Assistant Editor

TURN BACK TO PAGE 16 to read a Jamie Oliver Summer BBQ recipe

Offering a variety of unique and inspiring courses, Bath Spa is particularly focused on arts and humanities subjects. Students can choose from traditional courses such as Law or Psychology, but can also take less traditional subjects such as Creative Writing, Ballet or Children’s Publishing. The University has been offered the Social Enterprise Gold Mark –the fifth university in the UK to have received such recognition. www.bathspa.ac.uk

The beautiful beachside location of Bournemouth is just one benefit of studying at Bournemouth University. 94% of their research was found to be internationally-recognised in 2021, with 19% considered world-leading in quality. In particular, the university is known for its expertise in the media industries, as it is the home of the only Centre for Excellence in Media Practice (CEMP) in the UK. www.bournemouth.ac.uk

One of Britain’s leading research universities, Cardiff’s diverse student population - from more than 100 countries - benefits from the university’s stimulated learning environment. Students benefit from research-led teaching and 96% of their graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after the end of their course. With a strong emphasis on innovation, Cardiff prepares students for successful careers with their stateof-the-art facilities, extensive library resources and supportive community. www.cardiff.ac.uk

With the Lord Mayor of London as the university’s Rector and 86% of their research rated world-leading, City supports business and the professions, as well as their 20,000 students. Named as the greenest university in London, student life at City is centred around interaction with the local London community. The range of opportunities available in London for both academic and personal growth are endless, with sites such as the British Library and free museums at students’ doorsteps. www.city.ac.uk

With a strong recent performance in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, twelve of Durham’s subjects ranked in the world top 50. The university’s collegiate system allows for lively student life and inter-collegiate competition through sports and a wide variety of student societies. Its unique historic city setting blends centuries-old architecture and tradition with modern facilities and teaching, fuelling students’ ambitions and fostering a culture of creative innovation. www.durham.ac.uk

Considered the number one arts university for the creative industries in the UK, Falmouth University is a vibrant, creative community that provides a truly unique student experience and constantly pushes the boundaries of what a town can achieve. Their undergraduate courses range from Computing to Creative Advertising, Architecture to Fashion Styling. Given its location within the heart of Cornwall, students at Falmouth also always have access to the beautiful countryside and landscape of South West England. www.falmouth.ac.uk

As the only university in the UK to focus exclusively on science, medicine, engineering and business, Imperial was ranked 1st for graduate employability in 2022. It was also ranked 7th in the world and 3rd in Europe according to QS World University Rankings in 2022. Generations of Imperial staff, students and alumni have contributed to solving problems on a world scale, allowing incoming students to become part of a global community.

www.imperial.ac.uk

Committed to educating the next generation of change-makers, King’s College London has produced 14 Nobel Laureates and currently teaches more than 33,000 students from over 150 countries around the world. In addition, the university is 100% powered by UK wind energy, with the aim of being net zero carbon by 2030. Their strategic vision builds upon their history of making a full contribution to society by working with their local communities in London as well as fostering global citizens with an international perspective.

www.kcl.ac.uk

As one of the top universities in London for subjects such as Interior Design, Graphic Design, Mental Health Nursing and Midwifery, Kingston University’s School of Art is also home to among the best fashion degrees in the world in Business of Fashion listings. Kingston is passionate about enhancing its students’ life chances by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for the demanding modern workplace. www.kingston.ac.uk

Lancaster University is ranked 1st in the North and 8th in England for student satisfaction, as well as being 7th best in the UK for sustainable impact. It is also one of the top 25 most-targeted universities by employers. Students stay in one of nine colleges in their first year, which acts as a vibrant centre for study, socialising and support throughout their time there. The campus occupies a beautiful 560-acre parkland site just three miles from Lancaster city centre. www.lancaster.ac.uk

With a world-class and unrivalled sporting reputation, Loughborough University offers not only excellence in research and teaching but also opportunities for both recreational and elite sporting performance. Research at Loughborough is committed to delivering meaningful impact, driven by society’s need for solutions to real-life issues. The university is one of the top 10 in the UK, with a campus full of idyllic green open spaces.

www.lboro.ac.uk

Newcastle University aspires to be people-focused, harnessing academic excellence, innovation and creativity to benefit individuals and society as a whole. The university is one of the top 20 most-targeted universities in the UK in terms of graduate employment and Newcastle itself ranks in the top 10 most affordable cities in the UK. As well as the 50-acre campus in Newcastle city centre - allowing a thriving culture for the theatrical arts, sports, local music and history - the university also has campuses in Singapore and Malaysia.

www.ncl.ac.uk

Having started as a small School of Art, Oxford Brookes has grown into one of the UK’s top modern universities. They are committed to providing an outstanding student experience through delivering globally relevant challenges within a collaborative and inclusive community. Their graduates are known for their employability, which is reflected by the popularity of their vocational courses, such as Hospitality and Leisure Management.

www.brookes.ac.uk

With 99% of their research environment considered world-leading or internationally excellent, Queen’s University offers a promising student experience on both the academic and social fronts. In its location within the vibrant capital city of Northern Ireland, the Russell Group university aims to inspire their students to be tomorrow’s global citizens through leadership and citizenship, with wellbeing, inclusivity and cultural diversity at the forefront of everything they do.

www.qub.ac.uk

The RAU has been at the forefront of agricultural education and a key contributor to the land-based sector for more than 175 years. More than 1100 of their students are studying agriculture, business, environment, equine science, farm management, food, real estate and rural land management. The RAU prides itself on their links with industry, as their courses are all designed to meet the demands of the employment market for land-based expertise, both in the UK and worldwide. www.rau.ac.uk

Ranked 15th in the UK for the overall quality of its research output, Royal Holloway is often considered to have the most beautiful university campus in the world. The university began as two pioneering colleges for the education of women in the 19th century, a spirit for which lives on today in its commitment to inclusivity. As a research-intensive university, their academics collaborate across disciplines to achieve excellence in both research and teaching.

www.royalholloway.ac.uk

SOAS is the leading higher education institution in Europe, specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. With more than 300 academics, the university also provides the largest concentration of specialist staff for these areas of study. Their decolonial outlook on education allows them to challenge perspectives in their teaching and find solutions to the issues facing the world today. SOAS is also ranked 6th in the UK for employment outcomes and has one of the only five National Research Libraries in the UK. www.soas.ac.uk

LSE specialises in the education of social science and has a world-renowned academic reputation. Students can learn from internationally respected experts in public policy, political theory, political economy, comparative politics and conflict studies. The university ranks 2nd in Europe and 5th in the world for its social science and management subjects, and this year was ranked the top university in London for the 11th year running by the Complete University Guide. www.lse.ac.uk

UCL is London’s leading multidisciplinary university, ranking 2nd in the UK for research power. Their powerful collective of individuals and institutions work together to create a home for the thought leaders of today and tomorrow - UCL students are directly involved in current research. The university was the first in England to welcome women, the first to welcome students of any religion or social background, and the first in England to teach English, German, Chemistry and Engineering. www.ucl.ac.uk

Ranked 4th in the UK for overall student satisfaction in 2022 and 13th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2023, the University of Aberdeen is committed to four key areas: being inclusive, interdisciplinary, international and sustainable. The beautiful buildings of Old Aberdeen date back to the 15th century, and the university balances its commitment to the wider region with its multi-million-pound investments in its student and research facilities.

www.abdn.ac.uk

Ranked in the top 10 of UK universities, the University of Bath is also often known for its historical setting in a UNESCO World Heritage city. The campus is on top of a hill, offering beautiful views of the city. Each of their courses offers the opportunity to undertake a work placement or study abroad initiative. A number of degree apprenticeships are also available, combining the development of vocational skills with academic study too. The University has also been one of the first universities in the country to be awarded a national police-approved security award. www.bath.ac.uk

The University of Birmingham - the original ‘redbrick’ university - prides itself on its students being persuasive, persistent and bold, empowering them to turn their ambitions into reality. The university’s green and spacious campus is brimming with things to do, such as visiting their museums, galleries, concert halls and their botanic garden. They can count 10 Nobel Laureates among their staff, and alumni have contributed to some of science’s greatest discoveries, for example, the Higgs Boson and Gravitational Waves. www.birmingham.ac.uk

The University of Bristol has a reputation for innovation, enabling students to wholly fulfil their academic and personal potential. Students work on real-life projects with academics who are experts in their respective fields, supported by continual investments into new and existing facilities, training and technology. The university is small enough to allow for the cultivation of a warm and friendly atmosphere for all, whilst city life in Bristol was voted the best in Britain in a survey of 20,000 students in 2015. www.bristol.ac.uk

Oxford University

TURN BACK TO PAGES 68-69 to read about Exeter and Falmouth

World-renowned, the University of Cambridge uses a collegiate system through which students live, eat and socialise in one of the university’s 31 separate colleges. Small group teaching sessions - known as supervisions - also take place within the colleges, and are regarded as one of the best teaching models in the world. Students’ academic terms are shorter than that of usual universities at just eight weeks long, meaning student life is jampacked with both academic and social occasions such as formals and balls. www.cam.ac.uk

UEA places 13th in the UK for the quality of their research output, with their world-leading research covering science, health and medicine, social sciences and the humanities. Having gained the University of Sanctuary accreditation, UEA demonstrates an ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all. Young people are given a platform within the campus to share their ideas and have their voice heard. www.uea.ac.uk

With a rich history of world-renown, the University of Edinburgh was the second-most popular university in the UK by volume of applications in 2021. It was also ranked 4th in the UK for research power, with the highest rating possible for their student learning experience. Scottish undergraduate degree programmes include four years of study rather than the traditional three in England, meaning students have an extra year to enjoy the vibrant cultural scene of Scotland’s capital. www.ed.ac.uk

With coastal beaches never too far away, the University of Exeter combines its state-ofthe-art facilities with an academic excellence that has seen it placed in the Top 150 in the Times High Education World University Rankings. Split across campuses in both Exeter and Cornwall, Exeter has consistently been among the leaders for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey. The university was also awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for combatting the effects of marine plastic pollution and shares its Penryn Campus with Falmouth University, creating a vibrant community of students with diverse backgrounds. www.exeter.ac.uk

Ranking 2nd in the Russell Group for student satisfaction, the University of Glasgow is located in the world’s friendliest and second most affordable city according to Time Out. Students are taught by dedicated and passionate academics in a flexible and innovative learning environment, supplemented by the opportunity for students to access the university’s 12-storey library, which houses one of the largest collections in Europe. www.gla.ac.uk

One of the largest universities in the UK, the University of Leeds is globally renowned for the quality of their research and teaching. With the campus just a short walk from Leeds city centre, more than 39,800 students currently study there and 29 of their staff have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships. The university intends to harness expertise in research and education to help shape a better future, working through collaboration to tackle inequalities, benefit society and drive change. www.leeds.ac.uk

The only university in the UK to have social responsibility as a core goal, the University of Manchester is one of the top 10 universities in the UK and the 27th most international university in the world. Teaching staff are recognised internationally at the forefront of their subjects and incorporate the very latest thinking directly into their courses. The university also has strong collaborative links with industry and public service, ensuring all courses are tailored to the needs of future employers. www.manchester.ac.uk

7th in the UK for research power, the teaching at the University of Nottingham is always shaped by the latest ground-breaking research. A large number of courses include a placement or work experience element, ensuring that students receive first-hand experience in professional environments. The university utilises both its world-class facilities and bustling city life to create an overall fantastic student experience. www.nottingham.ac.uk

As the oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of Oxford is a worldleading centre of learning, teaching and research. On average, they receive over seven applications for every available place, with both the admissions process and the student experience being heavily influenced by Oxford’s 44 colleges. Teaching takes place over short eight-week terms, during which students have access to incredible collections of books, manuscripts and academic materials within the university’s picturesque libraries. www.ox.ac.uk

The University of Plymouth is one of the top 25 in the UK for teaching quality and has strong research credentials as a world top 25% for research citations as of 2022. Situated in a coastal city between Devon and Cornwall, it is no surprise that the university has an excellent international reputation for its marine institution, placing 4th in the world. In terms of student life, Plymouth is also ranked as one of the safest places in the UK for a night out.

www.plymouth.ac.uk

With over 94% of their graduates in work and further study, as well as access to full careers advice and support throughout study and up to five years after graduation, the University of Portsmouth is also one of only four universities in the South East of England to have achieved a gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework as of 2022. Portsmouth city itself is home to a fantastic range of independent shops and green spaces, ensuring a great student experience overall. www.port.ac.uk

As a world top-100 university, Sheffield is renowned for the excellence, impact and distinctiveness of their research-led learning and teaching. Their Students’ Union has been voted the best in the UK for six years running by the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, reflecting the university’s commitment to the student experience. Sheffield city is also right on the edge of the Peak District national park, so there is ample opportunity for students to access the beautiful countryside and surrounding nature. www.sheffield.ac.uk

The University of Southampton is ranked 12th in the UK and 78th globally, with a diverse community of students from over 130 countries. With over 350 courses to choose from, degrees can be customised and explored beyond a student’s chosen subject. The city of Southampton is friendly and walkable, filled with lots of parks and waterside walks to relax among, as well as being one of the warmest and sunniest places to study in the UK due to its south coast location. www.southampton.ac.uk

With seven centuries of history linking the students with the town, this ancient yet modern university is a unique location to study. The institution was Scotland’s first university and is the third oldest in the English-speaking world, meaning it is steeped in traditions still enjoyed by current students year after year. St Andrews was also named the top university in the UK this year by the Guardian University Guide 2023. www.st-andrews.ac.uk

A vibrant campus encompassing a global community of ideas and people, the University of Surrey dedicates itself to life-changing education and research. The university was among the top 10 in the UK for highly skilled employment, whilst their University Careers Service was considered the best in the country by the National University Employability Awards 2022. It also ranks first in the UK for its courses in Information Technology Systems and Tourism, Transport, Travel and Heritage Studies. www.surrey.ac.uk

One of the top 10 universities in the UK, the University of Warwick was born out of boldness, imagination and collaboration. Warwick graduates are ranked within the UK top 10 for highest earnings five years after graduating in over eleven subjects. Surrounded by beautiful green spaces as well as city life, students and staff are consistently making an impact, and Warwick prides itself on providing a tireless yet supportive environment. www.warwick.ac.uk

York’s beautiful and historic city setting alongside their safe and inclusive campus environment ensures that students can truly make the most of their university experience. This Russell Group university is ranked 17th in the UK and has also been awarded the Athena Swan Charter in recognition of their efforts for the advancement of gender equality. All students become members of the college system, which provides a valuable sense of community for all. www.york.ac.uk