No. Lots of students choose to study at a local university or higher education college because it suits them better. Others prefer to study away from home and benefit from the experience of leaving home and meeting new people.

You can live in university owned accommodation either in catered halls of residence, or self-catered houses. If you choose to live in halls of residence you have your own bedroom and either share a bathroom with a few others on your corridor, or at some universities you can pay a bit extra and have your own bathroom. You have your breakfast, lunch and dinner in a central dining hall or canteen, and there is normally a variety of hot and cold options for you to choose to eat. And you don't have to do the washing up afterwards!

If you choose to live in a self-catered house you have your own bedroom and share the bathroom and kitchen facilities with other students at the university. If you like cooking then this might be the best option for you!

Most universities provide one of these options to their first year students, and then you are required to find a house with other students in the local area for your second year onwards. Your university helps you with this by providing you with a list of student housing in the area. This is a great opportunity to live with your friends!

If you attend an Aimhigher residential summer school you will have the opportunity to stay in a hall of residence and see what it's like to live as a university student!