New data from the university admissions service Ucas reveals a marked rise in the number of students planning to live at home with their parents instead of moving away to study. This trend is largely attributed to the increasing burden of costs associated with higher education.
For many, this arrangement is not voluntary. Among students from England's poorest neighbourhoods, over half now expect to live at home while studying. This contrasts with just under a fifth from the least-deprived areas.
The student rental market is identified as a primary factor, with many teenagers reportedly having to pay more than £10,000 a year for basic accommodation, even in cities outside London. A study by the National Union of Students found that 84% of students reported significant housing issues, with almost half living with mould, despite high costs.
While living at home may seem like a solution, it can lead to personal costs such as worsening mental health for some students due to a lack of personal space or family conflict. There is also a risk of missing out on life skills learned through independent living and being excluded from social aspects of university life.