Living at home and commuting

I’m applying for a postgraduate course. Can I live at home and commute?

Yes. You’ll have the same access to campus facilities, study spaces, societies and support as every other student. A few things work differently from undergraduate study:

• Applying: you apply directly to the University rather than through UCAS. Find out how to apply for a postgraduate course.
• Funding: the Commuter Award, guaranteed offer and Maintenance Loan are for undergraduate students. Postgraduate funding is separate. See postgraduate funding.
• Timetable: your department can tell you how your course is taught, so you can plan your journeys.

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.

If you 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'll 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?

You’ll have the same teaching, facilities, societies, events and student support as students who live on campus, so you won’t have less of a university experience. The main difference is how you plan your time:

• Your journey: check bus and train times against your timetable, and build travel into your day.
• Evenings: if you want to stay for an event, see our answer on events and socials below.
• Your routines: you can keep the commitments you already have outside university, such as work, family and hobbies, and 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. 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.

• Find out more about support, wellbeing and health

Is it harder to make friends at university if I live at home?

Living in student accommodation can make it easy to meet people, but it’s not the only way to make close friends. At York, you can get to know people through your course, societies, sports clubs, your college and events, as well as the time you spend on campus between classes.

You can also join student groups and societies through the Students’ Union, so there are plenty of ways to meet people with similar interests.

Where can I study, eat and relax on campus if I live at home?

You don’t need to live on campus to make a day of it, and these spaces are open to everyone. Between classes you can:

• study in the library or in other study spaces across campus
• eat at one of our cafes and restaurants, or heat up your own lunch in a student kitchen
• store your belongings in a free locker
• take an online meeting in a Zoom pod
• relax in a social space or head to the fitness centres

The My UoY app has a campus map, so you can find everything easily.

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 don’t count towards Council Tax calculations, so being a student shouldn’t add to your household’s bill.

• If you live with one adult who isn’t a student, they can still claim the 25% single person discount.
• If everyone in your household is a full-time student, the property is exempt.
• If two or more adults who aren’t students live there, no discount applies, but your student status won’t increase the bill.

You and learn more about Council Tax in your area on your local authority's website. Full details about Council Tax discount for full time students is available on gov.uk. 

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