Commuting to university
Local and commuter students are an important part of our student community. A commuter student is someone who continues to live at home while studying and travels to campus for teaching, study, and social activities.
If you choose to live at home while studying rather than relocating, we want to support you to make the most of all our campuses and feel fully connected to university life.
Why commute to university? Support for local and commuter students
Students often choose this option to stay close to family, reduce accommodation costs or balance other responsibilities alongside their studies.
No matter your reason, we want to help you make the most of your time at university.
Planning your journey to campus
Our campuses are well connected by public transport, cycling routes and walking paths, making it easier to travel in a way that works for your schedule and budget.
Key travel resources:
- Travel advice and sustainable transport options
- Our Sustainable Transport Strategy 2024-2030
- Full-time students may be eligible for student railcards, including mature students.
- Find out more about travelling by car to university or joining our Liftshare community.
Student life
Living at home does not mean missing out on the student experience. We have a vibrant student community with a wide range of societies, sports clubs, volunteering opportunities and events throughout the year.
Many activities are scheduled in advance, making it easier to plan around your travel. Joining a society, sports club or volunteering activity is a great way to meet people and feel part of the wider student community.
Student stories
More information
Making the most of campus
If you commute, there are plenty of spaces and campus facilities available throughout the day across all three campuses. Libraries, study spaces, cafes and social spaces allow you to study, meet friends or take a break without needing to travel home between lectures.
Streatham Campus
Our Streatham Campus is home to a wide range of programmes and services.
There are more than 600 drop-in study spaces across the library’s three floors, along with a further 200 study spaces available in the Forum outside the library. Find out more about Streatham Study Spaces.
There are several microwaves and hot water taps located across Streatham Campus, so you can bring and heat your own lunch, and even make yourself a cup of tea. View microwave locations across Streatham Campus.
Limited car parking is available on Exeter campuses but a permit is required in order to use this. You will need to live outside of the city or meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for a permit. See further information about applying for a parking permit.
St Luke's Campus
St Luke's Campus is home to health, education and sport programmes, and offers facilities to support students commuting for these subjects.
Find out more about St Luke’s study spaces.
Penryn Campus
Our Penryn Campus in Cornwall provides a beautiful setting for study and research, with facilities designed to support commuting students.
- During term time, Penryn Campus Library is open 24 hours a day, providing study space along with access to collections and IT facilities. Find out more and book a space. There are a number of less formal study lounges around campus that you can just drop into.
- There are plenty of food and drink outlets and areas to relax. Microwaves and hot water are available in a variety of locations, so you can enjoy your own food on campus.
- Find out about cycling, running and walking to Penryn Campus.
- Take a look at the Active Travel Map for walking access to campus, bike stand and shower locations.
- We encourage sustainable travel where possible. Please see our public transport webpages for information on buses, trains and bike hire. You can also find out about parking at the Penryn Campus and discover the Liftshare community.
- You will need to live over 5 miles away from campus or meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for a parking permit. Further information about parking and applying for a permit can be found in our car parking policy.
Funding and scholarships
Local and commuter students may also be eligible for scholarships and funding opportunities.
