Home or Away?
Choosing whether to study close to home or away from home is a big decision that depends on many different factors. Only you can decide which is best for your circumstances. Here are some things you might want to think about:
Staying at home to study
An increasing number of students choose to stay at home and study at their local University or HE College.
Some of the benefits are:
- savings on accommodation and living costs
- being near to family and friends (and the added support that they may give you)
- keeping in touch with home life, while making new friends and having new experiences.
Going away to study
Most Universities have accommodation available for first year students, called ‘Halls of Residence.’ They are usually on-campus or close by. The average cost is around £60 - £80 per week (depending on whether it is catered or not). In London it may be around £80 - £100 per week. Second and third year students often choose to share a house or flat with friends. It can be a cheaper option, but you’ll need to budget for bills such as gas, electricity, water and a TV licence.
Some of the benefits of studying away from home are:
- a wider choice of courses (particularly relevant if the course you want to study is not available locally)
- the experience of living in a different part of the country
- the experience of living independently, learning to cook, clean and taking care of bills.
Support with living costs
If your family income is below a certain level, you may be entitled to receive a student maintenance grant which you do not have to pay back. You could also borrow money each year from Student Finance England which you only need to pay back once you’re earning. Most universities and colleges also have bursaries and scholarships to help towards the cost of your course. Find out more in our Money for Study section.
