Jude moves to Christminster to be closer to the institution he hopes to attend, partly because his cousin, Sue Bridehead, also resides there. Jude is intrigued by the woman in the photograph he saw at his aunt's house, despite having never met. When Jude gets to town, he books a hotel room. He strolls through Christminster, thinking about the notable alums that studied there. He starts having talks with them since they seem so real to him. After retiring for the night, his thoughts return to Sue after briefly entertaining poets and politicians.

In Chapter II, Jude attempts to find work in the stonemasonry trade after completing his apprenticeship. He finds work and decides to track down his missing relative. Sue is working at a store that sells religious statues when Jude comes across her. In the end, he decides against going up to her. Jude is attracted to her, so he considers how to approach her. He worries that a romantic relationship between them would be immoral because of their class gap and the fact that he still believes himself married to Arabella. Now he is starting to worry if his aunt was right regarding Sue's personality and the curse on marriage in their respective families. But he does run into her a few times. In Chapter 3, he joins her at the church she often attends.

Meanwhile, Sue buys statues of the pagan gods Venus and Apollo from a vendor in the countryside. Jude continues to admire Sue from afar when, in Chapter IV, she comes to the stonemason's yard and asks after him. He arranges to meet her, and together they go to see Phillotson. At first, Phillotson does not remember Jude. Still, eventually, he does, and he offers Sue, who has previously worked as a teacher, a spot in a training school for teachers.

Sue purchases statues depicting the pagan gods Venus and Apollo from a country vendor. Jude sets a time to meet with Sue and visit Phillotson. Even though Phillotson does not first recognize Jude, he does so later. He offers Sue, who has taught before, a place in a teacher-preparation program.

Phillotson gives Sue private tutoring in Chapter V, at which point he develops feelings for her. They show their students a replica of Jerusalem and have a heated discussion on the importance of the Holy Land to Christians. Jude is outraged to learn of their closeness. In Chapter VI, when Jude's aunt falls unwell, he heads back to Marygreen to care for her. Sue's unique and intelligent upbringing is something she and a neighbor detail for Jude. Jude promptly writes to the university administration to request admittance, but his request is denied. The people around him advise him to stay in his trade because it is better suited to his social status.

Jude engages in conversation with some Christminster undergrads as he goes to a pub to drink away his troubles in Chapter VII. Jude starts reciting in Latin, showing he knows more than they do. Jude scolds them for their stupidity and quickly leaves the bar. He immediately visits Sue, promptly passing out in the living room. After waking up, though, Jude feels terrible about himself and decides to head back to Marygreen. When he finally arrives, he visits the church to meet with the minister, Mr. Highridge. He wants to enter the ministry but is unsure if he has what it takes, so Highridge encourages Jude to join the church.