Life as a commuter student

Join a large community of students who commute from home to study at Plymouth

Life as a commuter student

Join a large community of students who commute from home to study at Plymouth

If you plan to live at home whilst studying you won't be alone. At Plymouth, you'll be part of a community of commuter students (approximately 40% of students) who travel to university from within Plymouth, or further afield from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

We've put together some advice to welcome you as a commuter student, and support for you to get the most out of your university experience. We want to reassure you there will be plenty of opportunities to meet new people and get involved in student life, and that the time you spend travelling can be used productively.

I applied to the University of Plymouth because; A. I’m from Plymouth, so I know the area and the city, and B. because I’d visited lots of different universities and I hadn’t really clicked with them or enjoyed the cities like I enjoy it here. I thought “If I'm really missing home, and it has a good university, then why don’t I just stay?”.

Brodie, BA (Hons) Anthropology

Chat to our students

Travel advice

Campus map

Our campus maps can point you in the direction of showers for commuters, cycle storage, water stations and more helpful resource points.

Our campus maps

Travel information

From railcards to car shares, weekly bus tickets to bike storage, there’s plenty to consider when planning how you’ll travel to uni. Check out our handy guide.

Getting here

Advice from our students

I use my travel time to plan for my lectures and assignments, make notes from my upcoming lecture slides, or do research.

The train journey gives me a chance to sort of decompress and process the day, which is good. I like to do that before I get home.

Student life

Life as a commuter student is what you make it, and you have full access to all of the societies, sports clubs and volunteering opportunities. Whether you want to try surfing or amateur dramatics, join the Waterfront Running Club or get involved in a music society, being part of a student group will make you feel part of the student community. Make sure you’re not missing out!

After you apply hero image. Students sitting at a table having a drink.

Societies

Students paddleboarding and wild swimming

Sports clubs

Volunteering

I volunteer for two charities and they both offer to pay expenses for travel. If there is an organisation that you are interested in volunteering with, ask them if they have funding to pay your travel expenses. I have found that my volunteer supervisors are impressed with my commitment to study and volunteer from a commuting distance and are more flexible and understanding with my availability. Likewise, with the societies that I am part of, I have explained that I am not local so social meet-ups are arranged to begin sooner so that I can attend for the first hour before needing to leave to catch the last train home.

Nicola, BSc (Hons) Sociology

Resources for commuter students

We want to you to be able to make the most out of your time when you come to campus, so we've put together a handy list of resources and spaces.

Campus cafes

If you are looking for a budget-friendly lunch or snack that you do not have to bring yourself, then one of the University’s nine cafes is bound to have something for you. From homemade brownies, freshly cooked meals, or a delicious pizza, you will never be short of options.

SU roof busy with people and library in the background

Alternative food options

Both the Student’s Union building and floor 0 of the Library offer free microwaves and boiling water to heat up food and drinks so that you do not have to spend money on buying hot food every time that you are on campus.

Study spaces

As well as the library, you can also find learning spaces across campus. Find the one that suits you best.

Lockers

Lockers are available in Rolle building and are perfect for storing the day-to-day essentials that you need as a commuter student, such as your lunch or gym bag.
For more information on how to purchase a locker in Rolle building, contact the university card office at: cardoffice@plymouth.ac.uk

Space for prayer, reflection or meditation

Head to our pastoral and spiritual support services for pastoral and spiritual support and events, whether you think of yourself as spiritual, religious, a person of faith or of no faith at all.

Nursery children with Early Childhood Studies students on a day trip to local beach

Childcare

Offering childcare to staff, students and the wider University community for children aged 0-5 years.