Best universities for student drivers
Our study shows the most driver-friendly universities in the UK for students who can’t part with their wheels
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Driving at university
Heading off to university is a huge step towards independence and is often the next biggest solo move after learning to drive.
With that in mind, what could be better than driving your car around at uni? It can feel like the ultimate power play towards adult life.
Of course, having a car as a student has pros and cons, but it can definitely be helpful.
To help you make the right call, we compared petrol prices, parking spaces within a 15-minute walk, EV chargers, reported collisions, and more to find the most driver-friendly universities in the UK.
Our study gave each of these factors a 25% weight so we could score the unis out of 100.
Take a look at the best universities for students with cars below.
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Top 10 driver-friendly universities
Edinburgh – 49/100
Strathclyde – 47/100
Manchester – 44/100
Bath – 39/100
St Andrews – 35/100
Warwick – 31/100
Bristol – 29/100
York – 29/100
Exeter – 27/100
Southampton – 27/100
Our data shows the University of Edinburgh takes top spot with the highest scores for driver-friendly unis thanks to cheap petrol, EV chargers, and strong scores across the board.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, said: “Topping the rankings, the University of Edinburgh shows its commitment to supporting its car-owning students.
“With petrol pretty cheap at £1.50 per litre and a study-topping 81 EV chargers, it sets the standard for universities that aim to give their students the freedom to explore all that the campus and surrounding city have to offer.”
Scotland clearly has a lot to offer for driving students, as the second top uni for drivers is the University of Strathclyde. Petrol currently costs a respectable £1.55 per litre, but it’s the impressive 4,632 parking spaces nearby that stand out.
Southampton sits at the bottom of the list, but petrol is still cheap at £1.54 per litre, and the number of collisions (485) was fairly low. So, while it lacks parking spaces, it can still be a workable uni for a student with a car.
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Taking your car to uni
There are definitely pros and cons to having a car at uni, especially if you’ve got to cover all the costs yourself.
Our study highlights some things to think about, but you might also want to consider:
Is there safe parking at your accommodation?
While you can often find parking at the uni itself, is there somewhere to park where you live?
Whether you’re in uni halls or a shared house, you might want to check parking nearby. There are also apps where private driveways can be rented from locals, so this might also be worth considering if you’re stuck.
Do you need a parking permit?
If you’re living in a shared house, it’s worth checking if your housemates also have a car. Some councils limit the number of parking permits per household, so make sure there’s enough to go around.
Do you need to update your insurance?
You’ll need to update your insurance with your new address, and you might also need to change the terms of your insurance if you’re using your car to commute to work placements.
If you’ve originally chosen a policy that covers you for social, pleasure and domestic use, you won't be covered for commutes, so make sure you check your documents. Don’t get caught out!
Do you know when your MOT is due?
Make sure you keep an eye on when things like your MOT and servicing are due, as these can be easy to lose track of during busy uni life.
You can set up a text MOT reminder on the government website.
Best cars for uni students
If you’re a uni student who’s fresh out of sixth form and in your early years of driving, you’ll likely be looking for a sensible car that’s easy to get to grips with.
One of the most popular cars for young drivers in the UK is the iconic Fiat 500. It’s easy to drive, cheap to run, and now also comes as the electric Fiat 500e.
We also love the Renault Zoe if you’re into electric motoring. It can cover up to 200 miles on a full charge, so it’s perfect for commuting to uni and work placements.
One of the cheapest cars for new drivers is the Peugeot 108. These dinky daily drivers are the ideal city car and the definition of ‘cheap and cheerful’.
More tips for driving at uni
If you’re set on taking your car to university, there are a few things you can do to make your driving experience smoother:
Keep track of your mileage so you can make a proper fuel budget (whether you drive a petrol/diesel or an electric car)
Make a note of the petrol stations or charging points in your area with the cheapest rates
Start budgeting for MOTs, servicing and repairs - £10 a month is easier to lose than £100 in one go if you suddenly need a new tyre
Be extra careful driving the next day if you’ve had a drink the night before – alcohol can stay in your system longer than you think. Take a look at the government website for advice on alcohol and driving