More students planning to live at home for university over 'insane' living costs

More students are planning to live at home during their university years due to soaring living costs, new data reveals. In the past nine years, over 81,000 UK 18-year-olds have indicated in their university applications that they intend to reside at home, accounting for nearly one-third of applicants in that age group. The trend is on the rise across the UK, with Scotland seeing 48% of applicants opting to live with their parents, while Wales records 20% in the same category.

Students interviewed by the BBC attribute the decision to live at home primarily to the escalating cost of living. For instance, Beatrice and Amelia from St Helens, Merseyside, are both set to begin university in September, but neither will be moving into student accommodation. Beatrice, who will attend the University of Manchester to study maths, plans to commute by train, a journey lasting approximately 50 minutes.

She cites accommodation expenses as a significant factor in her choice, estimating the cost to be around £5,000 per year. Amelia, heading to Liverpool John Moores University - a 20-minute train ride away - also plans to live at home, finding weekly rent between £300 and £400.

However, not all students share the same enthusiasm about commuting. Jessica, another student at Liverpool John Moores University, laments the high cost of renting and feels she will miss out on the university experience. Despite the financial burden and limited free time from commuting, she remains grateful for the support of her parents in providing home-cooked meals.

The figures, recorded on results day, indicate a record number of UK 18-year-olds have received university offers this year. However, rents for university-owned accommodation have surged, with costs ranging from £108 per week in Northern Ireland to £338 per week in London.

Many students are eligible for a maintenance loan, which can assist with accommodation expenses. Yet, the average annual cost of on-campus housing is increasing faster than the loan amount, as pointed out by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi). Hepi estimates that a minimum socially acceptable standard of living for a three-year degree costs around £61,000, excluding tuition fees.

The report highlights that in 2024, renting in university-owned accommodation ranged from £108 per week in Northern Ireland to £338 per week in London, making up nearly half (46%) of students' expenses in most areas.

As a result, many students are considering alternative options, such as the Open University, which offers distance learning and online courses. Almost 3,400 18-and 19-year-olds joined the university last year, making up 9.5% of new starters, compared to 5.7% six years ago. While the Open University caters to mature students balancing work and studies, its vice-chancellor, Prof Dave Phoenix, argues that the rising popularity of online learning signifies a shift in how younger people perceive university.

Studying online allows students to avoid moving costs and high accommodation bills and enables them to keep a job. However, Prof William Whyte from the University of Oxford contends that the value of on-campus life extends beyond accommodation costs and plays a crucial role in personal development and the wider student experience.

He emphasizes the need for a serious discussion about the role of accommodation in universities and how to fund it. The Department for Education acknowledges the financial hardship faced by many students and is increasing maximum maintenance loans and reintroducing maintenance grants to alleviate the costs of living.