// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
Rise in 'commuter students' due to living costs
Bethany Fearne, a law student, said she was still involved in university activities such as the Colour Run despite living at home
Attending university has traditionally been a rite of passage that involves moving away from home and transitioning into an independent life.
However, the reality is different for a growing number of students who say they will instead be staying at home and travelling to their seminars due to the cost of living.
In 2017, 535,090 people said they intended to live at home during their university course compared with 748,060 in 2026 - an increase of 39.8%, according to figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas).
Bethany Fearne, a second year law student, said it was "significantly cheaper" to stay at home in Sittingbourne and drive to Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) than live on campus.
She said she believed living outside of university "made no difference" in terms of immersing herself in university life.
"I don't feel like I miss out at all," she said. " I get involved in activities like the Colour Run."
Ez Spring, who studies sports therapy, spoke about the benefits of being a commuter student
Ez Spring, a second year sports therapy student, drives 40 minutes each way to university and sees the benefits of living at home.
"When I am driving, it's a nice time to relax before attending classes," she said.