Living at home and commuting

How does living at home affect my Student Finance Maintenance Loan?

If you live at home with your parents or family, you’ll usually be eligible for a lower maximum Student Finance Maintenance Loan than a student living away from home. This is because the Maintenance Loan takes your living arrangements into account, including the fact that you won’t have rent and other accommodation costs to pay.

Although you may receive less in Maintenance Loan funding, living at home can also mean spending less on rent, bills and other living costs, meaning that you have more disposable income overall.

Do I need to formally register with the University of York as a commuting student?

You don’t need to make a separate application to register as a commuting student at the University of York.

When you apply through UCAS, you can indicate that you intend to live at home while studying. It’s also important to keep your term-time address up to date with the University once you’ve enrolled.

We'll use your address to determine whether you’re eligible for the Commuter Award, so make sure your details are accurate.

You will also be able to identify yourself as a 'local or commuting student' when you enrol at the start of the academic year. Doing this will mean you receive our weekly Student Communities newsletter which will share details of events and support available to you.

How is being a commuting student different?

Living at home means your university experience will be a little different from someone who lives on campus, but it doesn’t mean you’ll have less of a university experience. You’ll still have access to the same teaching, facilities, societies, events and student support at the University of York.

The main difference is how you use your time around your studies. You might plan your day around your journey to and from campus, stay on campus between lectures, or make arrangements if you want to attend an evening event. There are plenty of cafes, social spaces and places to study across campus where you can spend time between classes, and you can get involved in societies and activities alongside other students.

For some students, living at home also means keeping the routines, relationships and commitments they already have outside university. You can make campus part of your life without it having to be your whole life.

Can I take part in events and socials if I live at home?

Yes. Living at home doesn’t mean you have to miss out on events, societies or activities that take place later in the day. You can take part in the same university events and social activities as students who live on campus.

York is well connected to nearby areas by rail and road, so there are plenty of options for travelling home if you don't want to, or can't, drive. But if an event finishes after your last bus or train, you could make the most of the affordable overnight accommodation offered at Franklin House on campus.

How many hours a week can I work part-time while studying at York?

If you’re a full-time student, you shouldn’t work more than 20 hours a week during semesters. If you’re living at home, it’s also worth factoring in your travel time when deciding how much work you can realistically take on alongside your course.

Look for work that fits around your timetable and allows some flexibility when your course gets busier. Working on or close to campus can also make it easier to fit a shift around your classes without adding another journey to your week.

But living at home might enable you to retain any part-time work that you've already got. 

Our Careers and Placements team are here to advise you about finding work while you study and balancing employment around your studies.

What academic and mental health support is available if I live at home?

Living at home doesn’t change the support you can access at the University of York. You can use the same academic, wellbeing and disability support services as students who live on campus, including advice from your department and support with your mental health and wellbeing.

You can also take part in the same societies and activities as students who live on campus, giving you plenty of opportunities to get to know people and feel part of university life, even if you don’t live on campus.

Is it harder to make close friends at university if I don’t live in student accommodation?

Living in student accommodation can make it easy to meet people through everyday life, but it’s not the only way to make close friends at university. At York, you can meet people through your course, societies, sports, events and the time you spend on campus between lectures.

There are plenty of places on campus where you can hang out between lectures, from social spaces and cafes to libraries and sports facilities. Our cafes and social spaces are open to everyone, whether you live on campus or at home.

You can also join student groups and societies through the Students’ Union, giving you plenty of opportunities to meet people with similar interests, whether you live on campus or at home.

Where can I spend time, eat or relax on campus if I live at home?

You don’t need to live on campus to make use of York’s spaces and facilities. There are plenty of places to socialise, study, eat and spend time between lectures, so you can make a day of being on campus rather than heading home after each class.

You’ll find cafes and places to eat across campus, as well as social spaces where you can meet friends and take a break between lectures. There are also kitchens and other facilities available for students to use, giving you options for preparing food and making the most of your time on campus.

All of these spaces are available to you whether you live in student accommodation or at home.

Can I drive to the University of York and park on campus?

Yes, if you’re eligible for a student parking permit. Students who live outside the York Outer Ring Road during semester time can apply for a permit to park on campus. For 2026–27, a student parking permit costs £35 for the academic year.

Parking on campus is limited, so it’s worth considering whether driving is the most convenient option for your journey. York is also well connected by bus and cycle routes, with plenty of facilities on campus for students who travel by other means.

You’ll need to apply for a permit through the University’s parking system, and different permits cover different car parks. Check the University's latest parking information before travelling, as parking availability and eligibility can change.

• Find out more about getting a student parking permit

How long might my journey to the University of York take?

Your journey time will depend on where you live and how you travel. Students commute to York from across the city and surrounding areas, so there isn’t one typical journey time.

For example, you could:

• Travel by train from Leeds: the train to York takes around 20 to 30 minutes, followed by around 15 to 30 minutes by bus to our campus.
• Cycle from York city centre: Campus West is around a 15-minute cycle from the city centre.
• Walk from the city centre: it’s around a 30-minute walk from Campus West.
• Travel by bus from York city centre: regular services connect the city centre with campus, with the journey generally taking around 15 to 30 minutes.
• Travel from further afield: York has direct rail links with cities including Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and London, making commuting from further away possible for some students.

Are living-at-home students exempt from Council Tax?

Full-time students living at home do not count towards Council Tax calculations, so your student status ensures your household is not charged extra and can maintain single-person discounts.

If you live with one working adult, your student status means they retain their 25% single-person discount. If everyone in your household is a full-time student, the property is completely exempt from Council Tax.

Can I get cheaper gym membership and use campus facilities if I live at home?

Yes. Living at home doesn’t stop you from accessing student discounts on campus.

At York, you can get student-priced membership at our award-winning on-campus gyms, making it cheaper and easier to keep active. 

• Learn about York Sport's student deal