More students planning to live at home for university over 'insane' living costs
Students like Jessica say they worry about missing out on student life, but feel they have no choice but to stay at home.
A growing number of students are opting to remain at home while attending university this year, a trend not seen in the past nine years, largely due to what some describe as "insane" living expenses.
New data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) reveals that over 81,000 18-year-olds in the UK, representing more than one-third of accepted applicants in that age group, indicated their intention to live at home. This marks a significant increase from 2017, when the figure was closer to one in five. While the percentages vary across the UK – 48% in Scotland compared to 20% in Wales – the overall trend is upward.
Students interviewed by the BBC cited the escalating cost of living as a primary factor in their post-school decisions. Friends Beatrice and Amelia, both from St Helens, Merseyside, exemplify this, choosing to live at home despite starting university in September.
Beatrice, who will study maths at the University of Manchester, plans a roughly 50-minute train commute. She noted that on-campus accommodation would have cost "a few grand a year." Amelia, attending Liverpool John Moores University, a 20-minute train ride away, found accommodation priced between £300 and £400 per week. While neither is enthusiastic about commuting, they hope to fully experience university life.
However, fellow Liverpool John Moores student Jessica fears missing out. She expressed a desire for campus living and student life but found rental prices "ridiculous" and "insane." Jessica works part-time due to high expenses and anticipates her commute will consume much of her free time, calling it "a bit sad." She does, however, appreciate the benefit of her parents' home-cooked meals.
Earlier this year, BBC News highlighted a first-year student who saved over £7,000 on accommodation by commuting 90 minutes daily into Manchester. These figures, recorded on results day, are expected to climb as more students secure university places through clearing.
Despite a record number of UK 18-year-olds gaining university acceptance this year, student rents and other living costs have surged. The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) reported last year that students require £61,000 over a three-year degree for a "minimum socially acceptable standard of living," excluding tuition fees.
Hepi's 2024 report indicated that university-owned accommodation rents ranged from £108 per week for 40-44 week contracts in Northern Ireland to £338 per week for shorter contracts in London, where rent constitutes nearly half (46%) of student expenses. Most areas saw rents between £140 and £180 per week, with private halls generally more expensive.
While many students qualify for maintenance loans to help with accommodation costs, some student unions report that the average annual price of on-campus rooms is rising significantly faster. Hepi notes that most young full-time students now work during term time to bridge the gap between their maintenance loan and living expenses.
This financial pressure is prompting a reevaluation of the university experience. The Open University, known for distance learning, is seeing a rise in teenage enrollment. Last year, almost 3,400 18- and 19-year-olds joined, making up 9.5% of new starters, up from 5.7% six years prior. Traditionally popular with mature students, its vice-chancellor, Prof. Dave Phoenix, suggests this indicates a shift in younger people's perception of university, as online study "means they can avoid moving costs and high accommodation bills and, for others, it means keeping a job."
Conversely, Prof. William Whyte of the University of Oxford argues that the value of on-campus life extends beyond accommodation costs, playing a crucial role in personal development and the broader university experience. He states, "The question isn't simply where students live. It's what they gain from living and learning together as part of a university community." He calls for a serious debate on the role of accommodation in university life and its funding, noting a lack of policy for the majority of students wishing to leave home for study.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education acknowledged the financial hardship faced by many students. They stated that the government is increasing maximum maintenance loans, reintroducing maintenance grants, and collaborating with universities and councils to improve access to student housing.