The number of UK students intending to live at home while studying has increased, with Ucas reporting 612,690 applications from 18 to 20-year-olds before January 14, 2026, stating this intention. This represents an 8% rise from the 569,880 applications recorded last year.
Universities are responding to this trend by adapting their courses and campus facilities. Changes include timetabling teaching on fewer days, reducing gaps between classes, and scheduling extracurricular activities in the afternoon. Many administrative services have also moved online to minimise the need for campus visits.
Institutions are also improving transport links and parking, and creating new campus spaces for students to work, socialise, or rest. The University of Essex, for example, offers day rooms for commuter students and an off-peak gym membership. Manchester Metropolitan University has introduced commuter "chat and chill" sessions and is trialling post-lecture commuter sessions.
Despite these adaptations, commuting has drawbacks. Approximately one in nine students spend more than six hours travelling each week. Commuter students are also more likely to report receiving lower grades than expected due to cutting down on campus attendance, according to Manuel Souto-Otero from the University of Bristol.