A STUDY has shown that male students travel further than female students on average when they move to university, with students on average travelling 91 miles.

Students are keen to move at least some distance away from home when they start University, with the distance being likened to a 1hour 30minute car journey.

This year it was revealed that University applications had reached record numbers, with more younger people wanting to study a degree once they finish college. Numbers state that there was almost 4000 more applications than 2018 by the time of the deadline.

Aoife Walsh is a student at University studying in Newcastle and moved from London last year to study up north, which is over 200 miles away from her family and friends.

The data revealed that women are actually less likely than men to move further away from home, with a difference of 12.8 miles on average. Aoife explained how this comes as no surprise, stating “women tend to be close to their families. I know it sounds stereotypical but normally they have a close relationship with parents and siblings”

When asked about her big step up from college to University, the student added “I don’t think it was harder for me to move to university just because of the distance from home”.

Travelling away for University: Does distance matter?

“It’s a challenge for everyone regardless of how far they have travelled”.

Aoife

Recently it has become clear that more and more students are finding themselves feeling anxious or vulnerable at university, and how universities need to step up and give adequate mental health support to prevent any further issues.

Aoife explained how she can see why people feel more vulnerable at university especially if they move far away, adding “moving far away can make it harder to have trips back and see family or last minute plans because of the cost”.

If you are a student and require support please speak to your University’s wellbeing team. If you are a Newcastle University student you can visit their student wellbeing site here.