Uni student living at home 'wasn't ready' to move away
A third of students starting courses are living at home, the University of Gloucestershire says.
Uni student living at home 'wasn't ready' to move away
Ofelia Bines says lots of her friends are also living at home
A university says one-third of students beginning courses this year are living at home or travelling in for lectures so they can be "financially better off".
The University of Gloucestershire said it had increased support for students by offering flexible accommodation they can use, discounted travel and new facilities built specifically for commuters.
Communications and media student Ofelia Bines, who grew up in Gloucester, said that although she hoped to leave the city one day, she "wasn't ready" yet.
"I know I'm better off financially compared to a lot of people living in halls," she said, adding that "loads of people" were doing the same.
"Most people that I went to school with have stayed in the local area and gone to uni.
"For me, it just didn't make any sense to pay money for accommodation when I'm staying so close and still able to have friends and find that university experience is the best of both worlds," she added.
"I also couldn't leave my dog behind and being close to family is so important".
Taylor Barker, who has begun her second year studying forensic psychology, makes a 40-minute journey to lectures at the university's City Campus in Gloucester.
She said studying from home was "a bonus" and that financially it worked "out better to commute".
"My family are really important to me, I don't want to lose that connection from moving away," she said.
"It was quite scary, the thought of having to move."
She said she visited "a couple of universities a bit further away and I just didn't like it".
"It hasn't stopped me from being independent. You're meeting people in lectures, most of the time you'll find someone similar who commutes from either similar distances, or actually lives quite near you.
"It's just different ways of meeting people."
Stewart Dove, director of student experience at the university, said it was "sad" that people were having to make choices based on the cost of living, but commuting could help "manage the cost of university" and let students "continue with a part-time job or stay close to family and friends".
He added: "Our flexible accommodation at Pittville [campus] means students don't necessarily have to choose between moving away or commuting every day, they can live at home but have the option to stay close to campus for up to three nights a week.
"We hope that these options mean that commuter students are supported to easily access everything that the university can offer."