Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Every morning, 19-year-old Amelka Zambrzycka boards a crowded train heading to Manchester, surrounded by early commuters making their way to work. Living in Horwich, on the outskirts of Bolton, Amelka faces the absence of a direct bus service from her mother’s home. As a result, she routinely walks for 25 minutes to reach the train station, braving cold and damp conditions along the way. Unlike many students who live near campus, Amelka is a first-year biology undergraduate who, like hundreds of thousands of others across the UK, opts to stay at home with family instead of renting university accommodation.
The phenomenon of “commuter students”—those who live at home and travel to university—has grown significantly, with over 700,000 such students attending universities throughout the country. Institutions like the University of Manchester have responded to this shift by establishing dedicated social spaces specifically designed for these students. Their commuter lounges offer a range of amenities, from kitchenettes and study booths to showers and lockers, making it easier for students to rest or prepare between classes. Amelka typically arrives at this lounge just before 08:30, where she can enjoy a quiet space to study, eat breakfast, or freshen up, sometimes after an early workout.
While her peers residing in halls rise leisurely before their 09:00 lectures, Amelka’s day starts much earlier—she has already been awake for two hours and completed one of her two daily journeys from home to campus. The financial pressures of student living contribute to her choice: the University of Manchester estimates that accommodation alone may cost first-year students up to £7,875 in 2025/26. When factoring in other essentials such as food, clothing, and study materials, overall expenses can reach nearly £13,685. For Amelka, staying at home significantly reduces these costs; her mother doesn’t charge rent, and her annual transport costs hover around £700.
The rising cost of rent and living expenses is a nationwide trend. According to the Higher Education Policy Institute, a student in England requires approximately £61,000 over three years to maintain a minimum socially acceptable standard of living. Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency supports this reality, showing that more than 40% of UK students now live at home during term time. Nick Weise, who manages the University of Manchester’s commuter peer mentoring scheme, notes that around a quarter of the university’s students are commuters. He points to the newly opened commuter lounge, established in late 2024, as a vital resource—a “home away from home” where students arriving early to avoid travel delays can relax, socialize, and recharge in between lectures. For Amelka, this space has been transformative: “It’s one of the best things to happen,” she says, describing it as a place where she can interact with others who share the unique challenges of commuting.
Despite the benefits, Amelka acknowledges the difficulties of socializing as a commuter. The typical student nightlife involving late-night outings is not accessible to her given the safety concerns of traveling an hour and a half at night. Instead, she has built friendships through the university’s commuter student network, finding connection in a group chat with about 40 others. Reflecting on her early days at university, she admits, “I felt so left out at the start of uni, I was so worried about making friends. I’m so much more confident now.” With occasional disruptions to train services causing delays, she is still weighing her future living arrangements, considering the possibility of moving into university accommodation next year despite having already purchased a three-year railcard. The decision remains open, balancing the cost savings and flexibility of commuting against the social opportunities available to those living closer to campus
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.