Living at home
Living at home while studying can save money and offer stability, but it comes with its own challenges and opportunities.
Written by
Connor Steele
Reviewed by
Content Team
Updated
February 15, 2026
Est. Read
5 mins
Living at home at university
Living at home while studying at university is far more common than people realise, yet it’s something students often feel unsure or even embarrassed about admitting. Social media and pop culture tend to present university as a strictly halls-based experience, but the reality across the UK is much more varied.
Whether you’re living at home to save money, support family, avoid moving away, or because it simply makes sense for you, this guide explains what it’s really like to live at home at uni, how student finance works, and whether you can still get the full university experience.
Quick poll
Will you live at home during uni? Be honest. This helps normalise commuter students.
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Is it normal to live at home during university?
Yes, and it’s becoming more normal every year.
Living at home while studying at university is a common choice, particularly in cities with good transport links and high rent costs. Many students live close enough to commute, while others choose to stay at home to reduce debt or support family members.
The idea that everyone moves out is largely a myth driven by a narrow version of student life. Universities actively recognise commuter students and increasingly design services around them.
What percentage of people stay at home for university?
While exact figures vary by region and year, estimates consistently suggest that around 25–35% of UK students live at home during university.
The percentage is higher in large urban areas like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds, where commuting is practical and rent is expensive. It’s also more common among mature students, students with caring responsibilities, and those from widening participation backgrounds.
Living at home is not a niche choice. It’s a significant part of the student population.
Estimated commuter student levels
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What you can expect
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This is a guide to help students feel less alone, not a hard statistic.
What does it mean to be a commuter student?
A commuter student is someone who lives at home and travels to university rather than living in halls or private accommodation near campus.
Being a commuter student usually means structuring your day around transport timetables, planning time on campus carefully, and balancing university with home life. Some commuters travel daily by bus or train, while others drive or combine study with work or caring responsibilities.
Commuter students often experience university differently, but differently doesn’t mean worse.
What is a commuter lifestyle really like?
The commuter lifestyle can be practical, structured, and financially sustainable, but it also requires intention.
Many commuter students enjoy the stability of home, access to family support, and lower financial pressure. At the same time, commuting can make spontaneous plans harder, especially if you rely on public transport or have a long journey.
The students who thrive as commuters often:
Stay on campus between lectures
Join societies or sports teams
Build routines that include social time
Treat uni days as full days, not just lecture runs
Make sure you read this student’s tips on balancing uni work and home life.
Commuter day planner
Build a realistic uni day around travel, study, and social time. You can screenshot the plan at the end.
Your suggested plan
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The goal is to avoid the trap of travelling in, doing one lecture, and disappearing before you meet anyone.
Is commuting to university a good idea?
Commuting can be a great option if it fits your circumstances.
It often works well for students who want to minimise debt, have family commitments, or feel more comfortable staying close to home. It can be more challenging if travel times are very long, unreliable, or expensive, or if your course has lots of scattered contact hours.
The key question isn’t whether commuting is good or bad. It’s whether it’s realistic and sustainable for you.
Is it better to live at home or on campus?
There’s no universal answer to this and anyone who claims there is usually ignores individual circumstances.
Living on campus can make socialising easier and help you feel immersed in uni life, especially in first year. Living at home can offer financial security, emotional support, and less pressure to constantly socialise.
Many students start at home and move out later, or do a mix across different years.
Home vs campus comparison
Slide each factor based on what matters to you. This gives a gentle steer, not a rule.
Your balance
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Benefits of living at home during university
Living at home has real advantages that often get overlooked.
Many students benefit from:
Saving thousands of pounds on rent and bills
Reduced financial anxiety
Familiar routines and support
Easier balance between study, work, and life
A gentler transition into independence
For some students, living at home makes university possible in the first place. Here are more benefits about being a commuter student to discover.
Living at home savings calculator
Estimate how much you could save by not paying rent. This is a rough tool, but it makes the numbers feel real.
Estimated savings
Adjust the inputs to see your savings.
Even if you contribute at home, the total often stays far lower than rent plus bills near campus.
What are the disadvantages of living at home with your parents?
Living at home isn’t always easy and it’s important to be honest about the downsides.
Some students struggle with:
Reduced independence
Family expectations or rules
Less spontaneous social life
Feeling disconnected from campus culture
These challenges don’t mean living at home is the wrong choice. They just require clearer boundaries, communication, and planning.
Boundary builder
Pick the situations you think will be hardest and get a simple script you can use at home.
A simple script
I’m going to block out specific study hours on uni days so I can keep up with work. If I’m in my room during that time, I’m not ignoring anyone, I’m just studying.
Can you still get the full university experience living at home?
Yes, but it may look different from the stereotype.
The full university experience isn’t defined by halls or house parties. It’s about learning, confidence, friendships, and growth. Many commuter students build strong social lives by being intentional with their time and getting involved beyond lectures.
Students living at home often succeed by:
Joining societies or sports teams
Staying on campus longer on certain days
Making plans in advance
Treating uni as a central part of their routine
Discover the best ways to socialise when you’re a home student and how to get through Freshers as a home student.
Home student tips that actually work
Tap a tip to see what to do next.
What to do
Choose one day each week to stay on campus all day. Use it for lectures, study, and one social or society session so you do not drift in and out unnoticed.
How much student finance can I get if I live at home?
If you live at home, you’ll usually receive a lower maintenance loan compared to students living away from home.
This is because student finance assumes lower living costs if you’re not paying rent. Your tuition fee loan stays the same, but maintenance support is reduced.
For many students, the lower loan still works out better overall because living at home significantly cuts expenses.
Quick finance reminder
Living at home usually means lower maintenance support, but also far lower costs. The key is budgeting around travel, food, and longer days on campus.
A good rule of thumb
If commuting costs you money, treat campus days like full days and plan meals and study time around travel so you are not paying twice.
What qualifies as a home student?
A home student is someone who meets UK residency requirements and is eligible for UK tuition fees and student finance.
Living at home during university does not affect whether you’re classed as a home student. It simply describes your living arrangement, not your fee status.
Final thought
Living at home during university is a practical, valid, and increasingly common choice. It doesn’t make you less independent, less social, or less of a real student.
University isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best setup is the one that supports your finances, wellbeing, and long-term goals, not the one that looks best online.
Frequently asked questions
Living at home while studying is a common choice. These FAQs explain what it is really like, the pros and cons, and how to make it work socially and academically.
Is it normal to live at home while at university?
Yes. A large number of students live at home for some or all of their degree. It is increasingly common due to cost of living pressures.
Living at home does not make your university experience less valid or less social. It is simply a different way of studying.
What are the main benefits of living at home?
The biggest benefit is saving money on rent and bills, which can significantly reduce financial stress.
Other benefits include having a familiar support system, more stable routines, and often better space for studying.
Will I miss out on the student experience if I live at home?
You might miss out on some spontaneous parts of halls life, but you will not miss out on university as a whole.
Most of the student experience comes from lectures, societies, friendships, and what you choose to get involved in, not where you sleep.
How can I make friends if I commute from home?
Making friends as a commuter takes a bit more planning, but it is very achievable.
Staying on campus between lectures, joining societies, and arranging study sessions or socials helps build connections over time.
How does living at home affect student finance?
Students living at home usually receive a lower maintenance loan than those living away from home.
This is because living costs are expected to be lower, but many students still need to budget carefully for travel, food, and study materials.
Is commuting to university difficult?
Commuting can be manageable if your travel time is reasonable and you plan your timetable carefully.
Long journeys can be tiring, so it helps to cluster lectures where possible and use travel time productively or for rest.
How do I balance independence while living at home?
Living at home does not mean you cannot be independent, but it does require communication.
Setting expectations around routines, privacy, and responsibilities can help you feel more in control of your university life.
Should I consider moving out later in my degree?
Many students choose to live at home in first year and move out later once they know the area and their budget.
This can be a good compromise if you want some independence without the immediate cost of moving away.
Does living at home affect my academic experience?
For some students, living at home can actually support academic success by offering a quieter environment and more routine.
The key is making sure you still engage with your course, attend campus sessions, and use university support services.
Who is living at home most suited to?
Living at home suits students who value financial stability, have good transport links, or prefer a familiar environment.
It can also work well for students with caring responsibilities, part time jobs, or those who want to ease into university life gradually.
Further guidance
Take a look at related guides and resources.