Many of our students choose to commute to our campus and there are plenty of reasons why it might suit you better than relocating.
If you've already decided you'd prefer to commute to university, or you're still weighing up your options, the information on these pages will help you to consider if commuting could suit you.
Why students commute
Lots of students decide not to leave home to go to university. These days, relocating might not be a realistic option due to other commitments, like part-time work or caring responsibilities, or increasing financial pressures.
Living at home while studying can offer you lower costs and the comfort of being in your familiar surroundings.
"My decision to commute was mainly based on how close I already lived to campus, so I’ve never felt the need to consider accommodation at all. It just makes life easier to not have to move at all and gives me space to go home, be with my family and friends and have time away from university. I like being able to have that boundary between my university and work life and my personal life at home."
- Aleesha, BA Film Studies, gets a lift from home and travels 6 miles to campus
Benefits of commuting
- Living at home while studying can offer you lower living costs, helping you to manage your finances or save money for the future.
- If you decide to stay at home, it might be easier to keep up with existing hobbies and clubs or part-time jobs.
- Separating university from home can offer you a balanced life, helping you to reset at the end of the day.
- Commuting can be a great way to learn skills that you’ll need for the future, such as flexibility, time management and self-motivation.
"Some benefits of commuting are getting to live at home and not worry about extra costs of living in accommodation. Also being able to go home and focus on other things that are not necessarily university related helps me keep a good balance and allows me to have a break."
- Aleesha, BA Film Studies, gets a lift from home and travels 6 miles to campus
What to consider
There’s no one way to do university. It’s best to go with the option that aligns with your goals for university and will suit you best.
- Commuting requires the ability to manage your time effectively to keep up with your work and be in the right place at the right time.
- Do you live close enough already, and what might your journey look like? Find out more about the local transport options around Royal Holloway here.
- What are your priorities for your time on campus? There’s lots on offer at Royal Holloway so think about which opportunities you’d like to make the most of and how they’ll fit into your schedule. Find out more about campus life for commuting students here.
- Do you want to stay at home? Talk to your family about what boundaries you need to maintain your independence and how they can support you.
Read the information and experiences of our current students on these pages to learn more about what life looks like for students who choose to commute.
