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Commuter Student Survival Guide

Date 27 October 2025

In this blog, Catherine shares how to find your way as a commuter from a second year student who commutes to UON

Catherine (Cathy) Cannon

Commuting to study

Commuting to university can be scary for some especially if it is your first time travelling to and from on your own. I know I was a bit anxious to start commuting to uni to begin with but you quickly find your feet. In this blog, I will be sharing my top tips on how to commute to and from UON with ease.

Santander Railcard

If you are like me and will be commuting by train, you may find a rail card helpful. If you sign up to a Santander student bank account, you are eligible for a free 4 year 16-25 rail card which comes in super handy when you are commuting to uni multiple times during the week. With a railcard, you can get up to a third off most rail fares which works wonders for students.

Stagecoach buses

From Northampton train station, it is easy to follow the signs and take a 15-20 minute walk through town to the main campus however, there are also direct buses that you can take which get you to UON smoothly.

Top Tip: If you download the Stagecoach app and sign in with your UON login details, you can get discounted prices off bus fares.

A stagecoach bus in gold parked at the Waterside bus stop on Park Avenue

Soho coffee

One thing as a commuter that comes in handy is a coffee shop. Soho Coffee based in Northampton train station is an ideal place to grab a snack or beverage if you are waiting for your train or on your leisurely walk to main campus. Loyalty cards are also available which can get you free treats!

You’re not alone

My biggest advice when it comes to commuting is to know that you are not alone. A lot more people commute to uni than you think so if you ever need help or directions, don’t be scared to ask someone wearing a red lanyard. Once you get used to it, commuting is a breeze and definitely builds your independence.


Explore our travel options for commuting students

Check out ways to commute to UON

Catherine Cannon, an Education student at UON with headphones and red student lanyard on a train.
Catherine (Cathy) Cannon

Cathy is a second year student studying Education Studies. She loves going to the gym and attending gigs.