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Commuting or living on campus? Discover what’s right for you

Date 4 November 2026

 Student Ellie discusses the benefits of living in Halls versus commuting to university and how she made her decision.

Ellie Barnard

Deciding whether to live on campus or commute to university can be a difficult decision – there are definitely benefits to both.

Commuting to university has a lot of advantages, including financial savings, keeping a local part-time job if you have one, staying close to family and friends, and most importantly home comforts!

With the great transport links Northampton has to offer, commuting is remarkably easy; a 15-minute walk from campus to the train station with frequent trains to London and Birmingham makes train travel a great option. Lots of students use the bus services in Northampton too, with connections across Northamptonshire. Aside from the transport services, the town is great if you drive too, with onsite parking at UON and many car parks within a 10-minute walk.

On the other hand, living on campus presents many students with lots of advantages: learning essential life skills and independence, building a new community amongst flatmates, having your own space, and only a short walk in the mornings!

At UON, there are many accommodation options for students to pick, including on and off campus flats, studios and en suites, it is best to come along to an open day and get a feel for what you like.

Personally, I chose to move away for university as I wanted to experience living on my own and it was the best move for me. If you’re unsure it’s best to ask, either the people around you, or come along to an open day to speak to commuting students and those who moved into Halls  to guage what you would find more comfortable and enjoyable. Whatever choice you make, UON offers support for all students.


Find out more about accommodation options and commuting to UON, join us at an Open Day.

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Ellie Barnard
Ellie Barnard

Ellie Barnard is a third-year History student at UON