UK students forced to live in neighbouring cities in university accommodation crisis
Amber, a first-year psychology student, was looking forward to studying in Brighton because the seaside town is renowned for its social life. But by the time she had accepted her place, there were no more spaces in halls left, and private rentals were far out of her budget. She is now living in Eastbourne, more than an hour’s journey from her university, and is worried she may have to drop out next year.
“I don’t hang out with any of my course mates because they live so far away, whenever they do stuff I’m not involved. There’s not many of us here so you don’t really go out much, it’s a bit dull being so far out. I wanted a full immersion – everyone says first year is the fun year where you go out. but I can’t do it because if I go out in Brighton I have to wait for the 5am train home,” she said.