More than two-thirds of students living in UK university halls experience loneliness or isolation, with rising accommodation costs and over-reliance on smartphones limiting social interaction, a new survey has revealed.
According to a poll by Opinium, commissioned by student accommodation provider PfP Students, 33 per cent of students said they often feel lonely or isolated, while another 37 per cent said they feel this way occasionally. Together, the findings suggest loneliness is a common part of student life, rather than an exception.
Barriers to social connection
Students who reported frequent loneliness cited multiple factors. Around 45 per cent said they struggled to meet people outside their flat or room, while 39 per cent spent most of their time studying or working. Another 26 per cent said noise levels or the general environment discouraged them from socialising.
The survey also found that 43 per cent of students felt isolated where they lived, and 44 per cent found it difficult to make friends in their accommodation. Nearly nine in 10 students believed the type of accommodation they chose affected their sense of isolation.
University halls of residence, typically home to first-year students, vary widely in layout and facilities. Experts say design choices can either encourage or hinder everyday interaction. For background, see Halls of residence – Wikipedia.
Phones and financial stress add to the problem
Rachel Horrobin, a 20-year-old psychology student who took part in the study, said technology can worsen isolation. She explained that easy access to friends back home reduced her motivation to build new relationships in her first year.
She also pointed to cost-of-living pressures. “Paying for drinks or clubs is expensive, so people just don’t go out much,” she said. More than half of respondents said accommodation costs limited their social activities, while 41 per cent felt the design of their halls made meeting people harder.
Call for stronger support in student housing
Mental health support emerged as a key concern, with 79 per cent of students saying access to such services would influence their choice of accommodation. PfP Students’ Room to Belong campaign is calling for halls to have at least one staff member available 24/7 so students always have someone to talk to.
Eamonn Tierney, managing director of PfP Students, said the assumption that students settle in easily is misleading. “Most students experience some level of loneliness or isolation,” he said, adding that accommodation providers have a responsibility to help students build connections and thrive.
The findings underline a growing need for universities and housing providers to rethink how student living spaces support wellbeing, especially as financial and social pressures continue to rise.