Staying at home for university

More and more students are now choosing to live at home and commute to university, so if this is something you are thinking about, you will not be alone! Many students at the University of Dundee commute to campus from places such as Fife, Angus, and Perth, as well as from within Dundee itself.

When you study a full-time degree at Dundee while living at home, you’ll have access to exactly the same facilities, support services, and opportunities as any other student.

Why do some students stay at home and commute to university?

One of the biggest reasons why some students stay at home and commute is cost. Student accommodation in Dundee typically costs from around £180 per week, which adds up to about £7000 over a full academic year. Living at home removes or significantly reduces that expense. If you're under 22, you'll be able to commute for free by bus, but even if you're older or use a different form of transport, it's still likely to be considerably cheaper. 

Beyond money, staying at home means keeping your existing support network, your own routines, and a stable base. For students with caring responsibilities, a part-time job, or family commitments, commuting can be a way to make university possible.

Is it hard for commuting students to make friends at university?

Making friends is the thing that most commuter students worry about. Although it can take a bit more effort than when you are living in halls, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to build strong friendships. The main ways are:

Your course

Your course is a natural starting point. You'll see the same people in lectures, labs, seminars, and other classes multiple times each week, and will obviously have a shared interest. If you've got the flexibility to stay after class for coffee or group study sessions, to hang out in shared areas like common rooms, or to come in slightly earlier, before a class starts, you'll be able to chat to students on your course. Some subjects will also have practical sessions and groupwork, which will also help you to get to know people.

Often, students will create online groups (e.g. WhatsApp or Discord) to chat about the course. This can be a good way to break the ice, and another great source of friendships.  

Welcome events

Welcome / Freshers Week is the ideal opportunity for you to get involved in a variety of activities and events. You can meet other new students and familiarise yourself with the campus facilities and buildings. There are also some events which are specifically aimed at local and commuter students, and you'll be able to find out which societies and sports clubs you might be interested in joining.

Societies and sports clubs

At the University of Dundee, we have over 150 societies and sports clubs, and students say that this is a great way to meet people with something in common. Whether you prefer more sedate groups such as creative writing or the University's book society, or want to get your heart pumping with a bit of trampolining, aerial hoop, or rugby, you'll find something that suits you. 

Whilst evening events might be trickier for you to attend (although many bus and train services do now run late into the night/early morning), a lot of societies will also have events that take place during the day, so that commuter and local students can join in. 

What do commuting students do if there's a long gap between classes?

A timetable with a two or three hour gap in the middle of the day is easier to manage than it might look. Many commuting students will head to the library and get some work done. If you fancy a change of scene, there are plenty of other study spaces and common rooms, all with full wifi, dotted around campus. 

If you need a break from the books, our current commuting students say they have no problems filling their time! Some like to get fresh air by taking a walk along the waterfront or down to Magdalen Green, and others will head into the city centre for a spot of shopping or to grab a coffee (we're only about a 5-10 minute walk away). Alternatively, with gym and sports facilities on campus, you can get an exercise session in during the day. 

What do commuting students do for food?

Some commuting students prefer to bring food with them, whereas others will buy something while they're here - it generally depends on budget and how often you're in. 

Are there places to eat my own lunch on campus?

Yes, we have places where you can eat your own food on campus, as well as facilities to heat up food and make hot drinks. The Main Library has microwaves, sinks, and hot water taps, for example, and there are kitchen facilities in most departments, and at Ninewells.

There is also outdoor seating across all of our campuses.

Is it easy to find somewhere to buy food near the University of Dundee?

If you want to buy food, there are several places on campus where you can grab a bite without spending a fortune. These include the Top of the Tower Cafe (worth visiting for the views alone!), the Liar Bar in the Student Union, and the Chaplaincy. You'll be able to buy hot and cold drinks and choose from a selection of hot food and snacks. 

There's also a mini supermarket on campus, Premier at the Union, where you'll find a range of food, drinks, and groceries. It's perfect for grabbing a quick sandwich when you're in a rush. 

Dundee city centre is only a 5-10 minute walk away, and has dozens of shops, coffee shops, cafes, fast food outlets, and restaurants. In the other direction, Perth Road has many local retailers and cafes plus a Sainsbury's Local.

Whatever your tastes, the one thing we can guarantee is that you will not go hungry!

If you're based out at Ninewells, the hospital has multiple shops, cafes, and canteens throughout the building (including an M&S Simply Food).

Kirkcaldy Campus has a canteen serving hot and cold food and drinks. There is also an Aldi across the road, and the town centre is a 10-minute walk.

Will I be able to access library or software resources when I'm not on campus?

Yes. We've got a virtual desktop which will allow you to use most software from home without needing to be on campus. The only exceptions to this are highly specialist software programmes which need computing power beyond that of a typical home machine - you might need to come in and use a machine in a specific IT suite in this instance. 

In terms of the library, you can borrow books to take home and also access all of our online resources. More and more courses are providing material in both electronic and hard copy formats, so you can study in the way that suits you best.

Is there anywhere I can leave my stuff when I commute to Dundee?

Yes, we have lockers in the Main Library, as well as in some of the smaller libraries. If you don't want to take all your books home, or want to leave some of your things in there in the day, these are ideal.

How easy is it to commute to Dundee?

If you are travelling from Fife, Angus, or Perthshire, you will find that Dundee is really well connected in terms of transport. We do have students who travel from further away, but it is important to make sure your commute is going to be realistic and sustainable throughout the year - being on campus regularly for classes, socialising, and getting involved is what makes the experience work.

Bus

The City Campus is easy to reach by public transport. Many buses stop right outside the campus, connecting to the bus station (which itself is only a 15 minute walk away). Under 22s get free bus travel in Scotland, and for over-22s, student tickets are available from Xplore Dundee and Stagecoach.

Train

The City Campus is just a ten-minute walk from the railway station, and Kirkcaldy campus is a 5 minute walk from Kirkcaldy Railway station. If you're a regular commuter, you'll be able to save money with season tickets. 

Is there student parking at the University of Dundee?

There is no student parking on City campus during the day, unless you are a blue badge holder. 

However, if you choose to drive to the City campus, you can make use of Dundee City Council managed car parks nearby, with charges as low as £2 for the day if you don't mind a short walk. Generally speaking, the closer to the city centre the car park is, the more expensive it will be. 

You may also be able to find parking on some streets within a 10-20 minute walk to campus, although check signage for time limits and other restrictions.

Student parking at Ninewells Hospital

Parking at Ninewells Hospital is now free, although some car parks have time limits. For these car parks you need to take a free ticket from the machine. However, as car parking is shared between patients, visitors, staff, and students the car parks are often very busy, and taking the bus can be significantly faster than hunting for a space. 

Student parking at Kirkcaldy campus

There is on-site parking at Kirkcaldy campus although spaces are limited.

Are there facilities for cyclists?

Yes, we have bike racks, lockers, and showers on the City Campus. There are also bike shelters and stands at both Kirkcaldy and Ninewells. 

Learn more about travelling to Dundee