Hi, my name’s Lucas, and I’m a mature student at the University of York, living with my girlfriend in Leeds city centre. While this was originally intended to be a temporary measure, awaiting the expiration of the contract for our flat. A year has now gone by – and I’ve happily signed on for a second.
The purpose of this blog is to share my experiences and provide insights and money-saving tips for students considering commuting to the University of York. Let’s explore the appeal of studying at York’s vibrant campus whilst living in a neighbouring city, or staying at home!
Why stay close?
There are many reasons why choosing a neighbouring city or staying local may be tempting for students. For me, it was the lower rent combined with the fact that I already have a life that I love here, alongside the commute being seriously manageable. As a mature student, overhauling my life wasn’t an option, but I believe this lifestyle could be highly desirable to anyone who is intimidated by the idea of completely overhauling their life or just wants to ease the sudden transition into a student lifestyle.
However, with any major change or commitment, there are challenges. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t days when I wish I could leave the front door and be on campus within a matter of minutes (particularly for those 9:30am classes). But overall, I believe that under the right circumstances and with the insight I will offer as part of this blog, the pros of this decision can very well outweigh the cons.
Lower costs and better value*
Firstly, I’d like to address the fact that, contrary to popular belief, York is actually reasonably affordable for students (even if solely dependent on your student loan). The money saved from living elsewhere can be pretty inconsequential when the cost of commuting is factored into the equation. For instance, an open return train ticket from Leeds to York typically costs between £10–£13, with a bus ticket from the train station to campus and back costing £2 each way. That means, in total, with current prices you’d be spending £14–£17 per trip. Assuming you make that journey four times per week, that’s £56–£68 per week, or £240–£292 per month (during term time).
However, I was able to secure a flat in Leeds with my own kitchen and bathroom for the same price a shared kitchen and bathroom flat would’ve cost in York – so that was a huge incentive for me. However, for many of you considering this approach, you may be living at home, and believe me, £240–£292 per month is a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of renting and living alone!
*These transport costs were correct at the time of publication.
Saving money: tips and tricks
I have two tips for saving money when commuting to and from the University campus. Firstly, railcards! A Railcard is a discount card offering at least one-third off the price of most train tickets in England. Considering the amount you’ll be commuting, it is well worth the investment. Further, certain schemes enable students to get Railcards for free! For example, I use a Santander Student Account, which gives me access to a free four-year Railcard, along with a whole host of other benefits!
Secondly, when booking your train tickets, go for an open return. An open return is a flexible train ticket that allows you to travel on any train, at any time that day, for the return journey – and the cost of an open return ticket is considerably cheaper than buying two single tickets, which you would otherwise need to do, as the time taken to commute from the University to the train station fluctuates, making it difficult to book in advance.
The commute
“Any time I leave the train station, it feels as though there is a bus waiting to take me to campus.”
York’s public transport infrastructure is fantastic. At the current price of a £2 bus fare, you can get anywhere across the city. Furthermore, the buses are reliable, and the waiting times are short. Generally speaking, any time I leave the train station, it feels as though there is a bus waiting to take me to campus. It’s usually a pretty pleasant journey, with little overcrowding at peak times. The train from Leeds to York takes 20–30 minutes, and the bus journey from the train station to the campus takes 20–40 minutes (approximately 20 minutes to the West Campus, 40 minutes to the East Campus).
Making friends
Living off campus might make forming meaningful friendships with fellow students more challenging, but far from impossible. Every course has introductory sessions and initiatives, and most courses incorporate group projects early on. Every other student on your course is in the same boat as you (whether they live on campus or not), and they’re highly receptive to forming new friendships. Meeting new people and making new friends becomes a daily occurrence throughout university life. While it may feel daunting or strange to approach strangers at first, you’ll soon realise that the culture at university is unlike anything else – in a good way!
The most challenging part is taking friendships beyond just small talk before or after your lessons, as it can feel quite isolating when you need to go home immediately while others have the opportunity to bond outside the curriculum. However, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to do the same thing, so long as you’re willing to put in that little bit of extra effort. For instance, in my course, we had a big group chat with all the students on our course and arranged a night out to which everybody was invited. In terms of those late night events or early morning starts, the University also offers low-cost overnight accommodation for those who need it! Furthermore, it’s not uncommon for students to do things during the day at weekends, so don’t be shy about inviting those you’ve met on your course for a day out in York outside of university hours.
Staff support
“The culture among staff appears to be one of help and support, rather than discipline and consequences.”
Frankly, I’ve been blown away by how attentive and friendly the staff are at the University. At times when I’ve been struggling for money and my attendance has dropped as a result. Throughout this, my course supervisor has been incredibly understanding and made accommodations for me. While it’s not advisable to miss any sessions, it may at least bring peace of mind to know that all the lectures are recorded and uploaded online. The culture among staff appears to be one of help and support, rather than discipline and consequences.
On balance, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to uproot your entire life and currently lives happily in a neighbouring city or at home in York, I believe commuting to the University could be a valuable way to save money on rent. The increased demands of commuting are certainly manageable with the right planning and mindset. While it does present challenges, such as the occasional early morning trek or the effort needed to build meaningful campus friendships, it’s a great way to stay connected with your existing friends and family while still engaging with the vibrant student lifestyle.
With exceptional public transport, supportive University staff, and money-saving tips like railcards, it’s more than possible to make this unique balance work for you, blending the best of both worlds. Thank you for reading my blog, and happy commuting!
Lucas’s tips make commuting to university seem much more manageable and practical for students.Telkom University Jakarta