Student Richard Walker was killed in a road accident the day after he returned to college following a break at home with his parents.
Mr Walker, 22, of The Laurels, Stadhampton, near Thame, died when his white Volvo 440 and a Peugeot 405 collided near Newport, Shropshire, on Tuesday.
The Peugeot driver and his passenger, both from Northern Ireland, were taken to hospital.
Police, who are appealing for witnesses to the accident, closed the road for two hours while the wreckage was cleared.
Mr Walker's parents, Dave and Nichola, drove to Shropshire yesterday.
Richard, who leaves a younger sister Alison, was a second-year student at Harper Adams Agricultural College in Newport.
He had returned to college on Monday after the Easter break to continue his degree in agricultural engineering and marketing.
Ian Robson, head of student services, said: "Everyone here is absolutely devastated.
"Everyone is walking around, heads down, in shock and disbelief."
A neighbour of the Walker's said: "It is absolutely dreadful news.
"He was such a nice lad - the whole family is well-liked."
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