Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said the gradual growth of commuter students was linked to the cost of living.
“Aside from tuition fees, the single biggest cost is rent where you can pay up to £1,000 a month depending where you live,” he said.
“Even if you receive the maximum maintenance loan rate, it may not be enough to cover both rent and other daily expenditures.”
Hillman said there were advantages and disadvantages to being a commuter student.
“If you live at home, you are more likely to keep your network of family and friends, and other support network,” he said.
“However, you may be not immersing in campus life experience.
“Some universities are adapting to this commuter student trend by reducing on-campus attendance to three days a week and offering hotel-style accommodation.”
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