End of student digs! Third of those going to university now live at home to save money

Almost a third of university students now live at home while studying as many are unable to afford rent, new data reveals.

Figures from admissions body Ucas show 30 per cent of 18-year-olds who applied for the 2024/25 academic year said they would be living at home rather than in student accommodation.

This compares to just 14 per cent in 2007, and 21 per cent in 2015.

The change is likely down to the soaring cost of living and an expansion of students from less wealthy families going to university.

Rent in some university towns can reach as much as £1,000 a month, and many families are unable to help out financially.

A typical student leaves university with debts of £53,000, including tuition and maintenance loans.

Jo Saxton, chief executive of Ucas, said the high cost of studying away from home could be stopping youngsters pursuing the best course for them.

She told the Sunday Times: ‘If students choose to stay at home during their studies because it’s the best course or institution for them, or because of caring or family responsibilities, of course that’s the right thing, but more needs to be done to ensure the cost of living doesn’t become a limit on young people’s ambition.’

Separate data showed large variation between universities.

Glasgow Caledonian University has the highest rate of home-dwelling students in the UK, accounting for 45 per cent of its intake, according to Ucas.

By comparison, 1 per cent live at home while studying at Oxford and Cambridge, which famously provide three meals a day and room cleaning in the colleges.

Ben Jordan, director of strategy at Ucas, said: ‘If you drive along any motorway in September, you will see car after car full of duvets, pots and pans, and clothes as students head off to university for the first time.

‘However, this stereotypical view of a literal journey into higher education isn’t the case for everyone and far more students now live at home during their studies than you may think.’

In 1984-85, only about 8 per cent of young first-degree entrants were living at home, according to a report released in 2020 by the now-defunct Higher Education Funding Council for England.

The proportion of stay-at-home students began rising in the 1990s, which coincided with the introduction of tuition fees in 1998.

Fees now stand at £9,250 a year, due to increase to £9,535 next month.

A report from the Higher Education Policy Institute last year found the maximum maintenance student loan of £13,348, which is only paid to those from low-income families, is now less than the average annual student rent in London of £13,595.

In contrast to old-fashioned student ‘digs’ with shared showers and toilets, student accommodation blocks are now run by private companies and are often aimed at a high-end market.

For those on a budget, living with parents who can help out with meals and washing is an attractive alternative.