Student Loneliness Epidemic Exposed in New UK Poll
A stark new survey has revealed a profound loneliness crisis among students living in UK university accommodation. The poll, commissioned by student accommodation provider PfP Students and conducted by Opinium, found that more than two-thirds of students in halls feel lonely or isolated.
Specifically, the data shows that 33% of students in halls of residence feel lonely or isolated often, with an additional 37% experiencing these feelings occasionally. This means a total of 70% are affected by isolation to some degree during their time at university.
The Root Causes of Campus Isolation
Students who reported frequent loneliness pointed to several key factors. 45% said they struggled to meet people outside their immediate flat or room, while 39% attributed their isolation to spending most of their time studying or working. A further 26% said noise or an unwelcoming environment in their accommodation put them off socialising altogether.
The financial burden on students is also a major barrier to social connection. 51% of respondents said the cost of their accommodation limited their social activities. Furthermore, 43% feel isolated where they live, and 44% find it hard to make friends there. An overwhelming 87% believe the type of accommodation they chose directly impacted their feelings of isolation.
A Personal Account: 'Lonely, Terrifying and Scary'
The research was part of PfP Students' 'Room to Belong' campaign, which prompted responses from students like Rachel Horrobin, a 20-year-old third-year psychology student. She described her first-year experience as intensely lonely.
"I felt really alone all the time," Horrobin recounted. "When it got to January, when I moved back in after Christmas, I remember thinking I just don't want to live here any more. I want to be gone." She believes smartphone technology exacerbates the problem by allowing students to retreat to existing friendships back home instead of forging new ones.
Horrobin also highlighted how cost-of-living pressures cripple student social lives. "Paying for drinks and a club is super-expensive, so none of us really tend to go out," she said, noting she has been stressed searching for work just to afford basic living costs.
Her sobering conclusion reflects the poll's findings: "I really wish that my experiences were part of the minority, but it's just not the case. I can count on one hand the number of people I've met that have had a good experience at university that wasn't lonely and terrifying and scary."
Calls for Change and Support
The poll identified structural issues contributing to the crisis. 41% said the design or layout of their accommodation made it harder to meet people. In response, PfP Students' campaign calls for halls to have at least one member of staff available 24/7, so residents always have someone to talk to.
This need for support is underscored by the finding that 79% of students said access to mental health support would be a helpful factor when choosing where to live.
Eamonn Tierney, Managing Director of PfP Students, challenged the popular perception of university life. "The perception is that all students arrive at university, make friends instantly and settle straight into their new lives. Our research shows a very different reality: most students experience some level of loneliness or isolation," he said.
Tierney emphasised the responsibility of accommodation providers, stating they must help students "integrate, build bonds and thrive so they don't feel alone and can be the best version of themselves during this key stage of their lives."
