Is local Uni worth considering in current circumstances

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Just thinking ahead to DDs university applications next year. I so sincerely hope that we are out of this Covid mess by then but if things are still going to be moved online, as lots of unis are going to do this September, DD is thinking of not going away for university. She can do the course she wants at a nearby uni, she has a great social life, hobbies, a job and is learning to drive. Her thinking is why would so want to pay lots of money to sit in a small room hundreds of miles away to do what I can do attending a local uni. It seems to be the done thing to go away 'for the experience' but I get her concerns that this has now changed. Is going away for uni a must?

I did a degree as a mature student a few years back and was really struck by the number of young ones on my course who really didn't want to be away from home - and contrary to my previous beliefs, there didn't seem to be any particular benefit to them being away. They either ended up commuting from home anyway, or were miserable. They grew up in their own time and at their own pace.

So I think being at home is fine and will probably be more common in the future. There is still a part of me that feels they're missing something but the great British middle class migration may not really have much going for it.

I've done both - gone away for uni and had the full experience (fees at that time were only £1k a year though) and did a second degree part time whilst working

I have 3 children and would never advise them to spend thousands to live away from home if just as a good a course was available locally. The "full" experience just isn't worth the money

I think most people 'go away' to university because it is the best university for the degree they want to study rather than for the experience. That may factor in too but it is never the primary reason in my experience.

was really struck by the number of young ones on my course who really didn't want to be away from home - and contrary to my previous beliefs, there didn't seem to be any particular benefit to them being away. They either ended up commuting from home anyway, or were miserable

I’ve had the same experience.
When I was at university, we were all wondering why we bothered to move out in the first place because the ‘uni experience’ was not like the media led us to believe!

I found it a bit sad initially. My first degree was an extraordinary experience and I met some amazing people and learned so much. Living communally, being in the library til all hours, trying new things. But I do think if the student knows what they want to achieve and it's doable from home, why not.

where I live, plenty of kids attend the local Uni (yes in England).

DD (now a student in London) even got quizzed by workmate: "But why would you go to London rather than local Uni?"

My dd is planning on attending local uni but still living in halls. Her theory is she gets the best of both worlds, independent living but can still come home if she wants a sunday roast or covid fucks things up again. Helps that local uni is Russell Group and highly rated for the course she wants.

You should pick the Uni based on course. If the local one is good and provides exactly what she wants, there’s no reason to go elsewhere. Lots of London students do this.

Depends on where you live and what courses are available. If you are in eg London, Manchester or Leeds she probably has good local choices. Less so if you are in Cornwall or the Hebrides. Family relationships also play a role.

For me, one of the most important take aways from University is living independently.

I went to a local one but lived away (10 miles from home) - I didn't greatly enjoy the living arrangements, either halls or shared houses, in fact it was awful at times but I did enjoy the social life for the most part.

It also meant that when I needed to live in shared houses for my first few years in work I was well used to it. So, good life experience even if not greatly enjoyable. My DS is currently looking at uni places and mainly focussing on those that are in commuting distance, I don't think it's a bad thing, especially as the costs are so much higher now (I was in the pre tuition fee days, when we could claim housing benefit).

Thank you all, it is good to hear your perspectives. I did not grow up here and back home people very much went to their local university unless they lives far away or if the local university did it offer the course they wanted. All I hear here is about 'going away to uni' and it just seems like the done thing.

DS went away to uni (not far, about 16 miles), but decided to leave just before Christmas, part way through his second year. I'm not the sure the uni experience is really all it's cracked up to be. COVID aside, once the freshers' week festivities are over, it can be pretty miserable, managing on very little money and living in shared accommodation with people you're not especially close to.

If she's happy at home, then it makes sense to stay out and save money.

Going to your local uni is the norm in many countries! I think in the UK there is a lot more choice which encourages people to “shop around”.

If the course at the local uni is well respected then it’s definitely worth considering. But do encourage her to get fully involved in the social side of things & perhaps have a conversation about expectations on both sides about staying out late/staying over at friends/bringing people back.

Looking back, I think my first year was a bit meh but I really enjoyed my second year and my third year was overseas. I didn't particularly like my final year but that was because I wanted my third year back! I wasn't homesick and I definitely think it's worth going away. It's also good to learn about another area of the country. We live on the Surrey/Hampshire borders and my son's first choice of uni is in the north of England, which I think is a good thing.

However, he does have Southampton as his reserve; he applied there partly for covid reasons as it's an hour from home and easily commutable by train.

But if your dd has a job and lots of friends and hobbies those are all good reasons to stay at home.