A growing proportion of new university students are opting to remain in their family homes rather than move into halls of residence, marking the highest rate in nearly a decade as accommodation expenses continue to climb.
According to Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) data, just over one in three UK 18-year-olds accepted into university this year—more than 81,000 students—indicated they plan to live at home. This represents a significant shift from 2017, when the proportion was closer to one in five. The trend reflects mounting financial pressures on students navigating both tuition fees and spiralling living costs.
Regional variations are pronounced across the UK. In Scotland, 48% of applicants intend to live at home, whereas in Wales the figure stands at 20%. Despite these differences, the upward trajectory is consistent across all regions.
The financial burden of student accommodation has become a decisive factor for many young people. Government guidance for 2026 to 2027 sets living costs outside London at £5,048 annually, rising to £7,039 in the capital, yet actual accommodation expenses frequently exceed these benchmarks. Private student housing now ranges from approximately £79 to £679 per week depending on location and room type, with university-owned halls averaging £641 monthly according to recent surveys.
Beatrice and Amelia, two friends from St Helens in Merseyside, exemplify this trend. Both are beginning university in September without moving into student accommodation. Beatrice will study mathematics at the University of Manchester and commute by train—a journey of roughly 50 minutes—to avoid accommodation costs that would have amounted to thousands of pounds annually. She selected Manchester and Liverpool specifically because their proximity to her home made commuting feasible.
Amelia is attending Liverpool John Moores University, approximately 20 minutes away by train. She discovered that available accommodation ranged between £300 and £400 weekly. Despite the lengthy commute neither student anticipates, both hope to participate fully in university life while remaining at home.
A third student, Jessica, also studying at Liverpool John Moores University, expresses greater concern about missing the residential experience.
I have a part-time job as everything is so expensive, and then commuting is going to kill a lot of my free time as well. It is a bit sad really when you think about it.She describes rental prices as
ridiculousand
insane, though she acknowledges that staying with her parents will allow her to benefit from home-cooked meals.
Earlier this year, a first-year student documented her daily commute into Manchester, travelling 90 minutes from home each day. By doing so, she achieved savings exceeding £7,000 on accommodation costs—a calculation that increasingly influences student decision-making.
What are the broader financial pressures on students?
The financial strain on students extends well beyond accommodation. The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) reported last year that students require approximately £61,000 over a three-year degree to maintain a minimum socially acceptable standard of living—a figure that excludes tuition fees entirely. Accommodation represents a substantial portion of this burden, with rent constituting nearly half (46%) of students' total costs in London.
Hepi's analysis found that university-owned accommodation costs vary considerably by region. Northern Ireland offers the lowest rates at £108 per week for 40 to 44-week contracts, while London's shortest contracts reach £338 weekly. Most areas fall between £140 and £180 per week, with privately operated halls typically commanding higher prices.
Although many students qualify for maintenance loans to help cover accommodation, the average annual cost of on-campus rooms is rising faster than loan increases. Consequently, most full-time students now engage in paid employment during term time to bridge the gap between their maintenance loan income and actual living expenses.
How are students adapting to these constraints?
The financial pressures are reshaping how younger people approach higher education. The Open University, which specialises in distance learning and online provision, has experienced a notable surge in teenage enrolment. Almost 3,400 students aged 18 and 19 joined the institution last year, representing 9.5% of new starters compared with 5.7% six years earlier. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dave Phoenix notes that this expansion reflects a fundamental shift in how young people conceptualise university, observing that studying online
means they can avoid moving costs and high accommodation bills and, for others, it means keeping a job.
Traditionally, the Open University attracted mature students seeking to balance work and study from home. The growing participation of school leavers signals a broader recalibration of university expectations among younger cohorts facing financial constraints.
Recent research from the Office for Students, published on 28 July 2026, examined the experiences of commuter students in higher education. The study surveyed more than 1,000 students in England regarding commuting arrangements, living circumstances, and their university experiences, providing fresh evidence on how non-residential study patterns affect student outcomes.
What concerns do experts raise about residential university life?
However, some academics argue that the shift away from on-campus living carries significant costs beyond finances. Prof William Whyte from the University of Oxford contends that residential university experience delivers benefits extending far beyond the price of accommodation, playing a crucial role in personal development and the broader university experience.
The question isn't simply where students live. It's what they gain from living and learning together as part of a university community. Currently, we have no real policy on accommodation for the overwhelming majority of students who want to leave home for study. It's time for a serious debate about the role accommodation plays in the university – and how we will pay for it.
His argument highlights a tension between financial necessity and educational philosophy—while commuting and online study reduce costs, they may limit the social and developmental opportunities traditionally associated with residential university life.
What policy responses are being considered?
The Department for Education acknowledges that many students face financial hardship. A departmental spokesperson stated that the government is increasing maximum maintenance loans and reintroducing maintenance grants to support living costs. Additionally, officials are collaborating with universities and local councils to enhance access to student housing.
The government's recognition of student financial pressures comes as record numbers of UK 18-year-olds have been accepted into university this year. Yet this expansion in participation occurs against a backdrop of rising accommodation costs and limited affordable housing options near campuses.
Key Facts
- Over 81,000 UK 18-year-olds accepted into university this year plan to live at home—just over one in three, the highest proportion in nine years
- Regional variation is significant: 48% of Scottish applicants intend to live at home compared with 20% in Wales
- The Higher Education Policy Institute estimates students need £61,000 over three years for a minimum socially acceptable standard of living, excluding tuition fees
- The Open University has seen teenage enrolment rise to 9.5% of new starters, up from 5.7% six years ago, as students seek to avoid accommodation costs
- Government guidance sets annual living costs at £5,048 outside London and £7,039 in the capital for 2026 to 2027, though actual accommodation expenses frequently exceed these figures
