im not familiar with the area, but do you really need a car? the vast majority of university students in the uk do not have or take their cars to campus, and most travel is done on foot, bike or bus - all of which are usually very accessible/convenient on university campuses here
i'd have thought most people in the uk either get their license before or after university, rather than during, but you can certainly make time for it
do you have an american license?