PARENTS COULD SAVE MORE THAN £22,000 BY KEEPING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT HOME, NEW RESEARCH REVEALS
For many students, starting university marks the first step towards independence. But for families already feeling the pressure of rising living costs, the price of moving away can add thousands to the cost of higher education.
New research from London Northwestern Railway (LNR) reveals that students who are able to live at home and commute to university could save up to £22,797 a year by avoiding the cost of student accommodation, rent, and household bills.
LNR compared average student rents and household bills with the cost of travelling by rail to university using termly Student Season Tickets on routes across its network.
The analysis found families could reduce the overall cost of attending university by choosing to commute from home, rather than renting student accommodation. The biggest savings were found in London, where students could save almost £23,000. Families in Birmingham could save more than £13,000, while those studying in Northampton could reduce costs by more than £11,000.
The figures come as students prepare for the autumn term, with Student Season Tickets offering even greater value this year following the government’s decision to freeze regulated rail fares for 2026/27. With travel costs continuing to rise elsewhere, students can benefit from the reassurance of paying the same affordable price for their rail travel.
The cost of moving out
Accommodation is often one of the biggest expenses associated with higher education, with average annual rent and utility costs varying significantly across university towns and cities.
LNR’s analysis found families could reduce the overall cost of university by commuting from home, with estimated savings including:
University location
Potential annual saving
London
£22,797
Birmingham
£13,081
Northampton
£11,053
Crewe
£10,632
Coventry
£9,434
Watford
£6,909
Milton Keynes
£6,081
*Based on average annual student rent and utility costs compared with the cost of an LNR Student Season Ticket for representative commuter journeys (see below).
With maintenance loans struggling to keep pace with rising living costs, more students are choosing to live at home while studying. For families within commuting distance of university, travelling by rail can offer a practical alternative to renting accommodation, helping to reduce one of the biggest costs associated with higher education.
Georgie Smith, a Birmingham City University graduate, comments: “When I was studying, I simply could not afford to pay for student accommodation within my maintenance loan, despite working a part time job alongside by studies. Using the train to commute to and from my lectures was crucial for my university experience, and meant I had money to spare for everything fun student life had to offer.”
Sophie Gardner, Head of Sales and Marketing at London Northwestern Railway added: “For many families, the biggest cost of university isn’t tuition fees, it’s accommodation. Living at home won’t be the right option for everyone, but for students within travelling distance of campus, commuting can make higher education significantly more affordable.
“Our Student Season Tickets, which are available to buy three times a year ahead of each academic term, offer unlimited travel between two stations throughout the term – including evenings and weekends. They provide a simple and cost-effective way for students to get to and from university without the need to buy daily tickets.”
