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Uni commute issue

So next year for university I have no option but to commute from home. I live in London and my university is two hours (if not more - with traffic) away by public transport. I lived in halls for first year but due to an exceptional personal circumstance, I’m unable to live in halls next year and furthermore I would not like to live in halls either way. As part of my uni course, we have a placement for 1/3 of the year so thats for 1 term out of 3 terms in the year.

This placement goes towards one of my modules and is assessed based on attendance and general performance. I have made a request for my placement location to be closer to home for me so fingers crossed it should be around 1hr 30 mins from home if not hopefully less. I understand it’s inevitable not to have a long commute either way and many other adults/ friends I've spoken to have had tough commuting experiences to work etc.

The remainder of my modules are assessed through coursework, presentations, essays and workshops so there are no formal exams. On average last year uni lectures took place around 3 sometimes 4 (in the busiest chunk of one term) a week.

I am wondering if due to this strenuous travel that I can ask for some sort of special consideration to complete part of my course/ some modules or lectures from home online using the virtual learning site where some individual modules are live recorded. One of my modules was live recorded this year and so whenever I was sick and couldn’t go into uni I would watch them from halls. The difference is that now I would be missing significant chunks of in person attendance rather than a couple days off for a cold.

Does anyone know if unis can offer a special circumstance related reduced timetable whereby you will not be penalised for your absence in person as long as you are submitting assignments etc? I hope that if this is the case I could have a reduced timetable of 2 out of 3 days a week rather than having to go in for 3. How would I go about this?

Btw before anyone asks, I do not want to nor am I able to transfer unis to same course easily. I have looked on UCAS and other websites and the other universities which offer the same course transfer only do so in year 3 so there is virtually no point transferring for my final year if I might as well graduate in the same uni. Furthermore all the modules taken in these other unis are completely different and my current course is an exclusive combined honours course only offered at this university whereas the unis I could transfer to would strip me of my current combined honour turning it into a single honours. Hopefully If that makes sense

Reply 1

IzzieBk

Original post

by Anonymous

So next year for university I have no option but to commute from home. I live in London and my university is two hours (if not more - with traffic) away by public transport. I lived in halls for first year but due to an exceptional personal circumstance, I’m unable to live in halls next year and furthermore I would not like to live in halls either way. As part of my uni course, we have a placement for 1/3 of the year so thats for 1 term out of 3 terms in the year.
This placement goes towards one of my modules and is assessed based on attendance and general performance. I have made a request for my placement location to be closer to home for me so fingers crossed it should be around 1hr 30 mins from home if not hopefully less. I understand it’s inevitable not to have a long commute either way and many other adults/ friends I've spoken to have had tough commuting experiences to work etc.
The remainder of my modules are assessed through coursework, presentations, essays and workshops so there are no formal exams. On average last year uni lectures took place around 3 sometimes 4 (in the busiest chunk of one term) a week.
I am wondering if due to this strenuous travel that I can ask for some sort of special consideration to complete part of my course/ some modules or lectures from home online using the virtual learning site where some individual modules are live recorded. One of my modules was live recorded this year and so whenever I was sick and couldn’t go into uni I would watch them from halls. The difference is that now I would be missing significant chunks of in person attendance rather than a couple days off for a cold.
Does anyone know if unis can offer a special circumstance related reduced timetable whereby you will not be penalised for your absence in person as long as you are submitting assignments etc? I hope that if this is the case I could have a reduced timetable of 2 out of 3 days a week rather than having to go in for 3. How would I go about this?
Btw before anyone asks, I do not want to nor am I able to transfer unis to same course easily. I have looked on UCAS and other websites and the other universities which offer the same course transfer only do so in year 3 so there is virtually no point transferring for my final year if I might as well graduate in the same uni. Furthermore all the modules taken in these other unis are completely different and my current course is an exclusive combined honours course only offered at this university whereas the unis I could transfer to would strip me of my current combined honour turning it into a single honours. Hopefully If that makes sense

Hey! Totally get where you're coming from — that commute sounds exhausting, especially long-term. Given your circumstances, it’s definitely worth reaching out to your uni’s student support or wellbeing team to formally explain the situation. They might be able to offer flexibility like remote access to lectures (especially if some are recorded anyway) or a reduced in-person timetable. Since your course is mostly coursework-based and not exam-heavy, there’s a good chance they’ll be understanding. Just be clear about your situation and what you’re asking for (like 2 days instead of 3 on campus), and hopefully they can make reasonable adjustments. Wishing you all the best — fingers crossed they’re supportive!

Reply 2

PG Study Chester

Original post

by Anonymous

So next year for university I have no option but to commute from home. I live in London and my university is two hours (if not more - with traffic) away by public transport. I lived in halls for first year but due to an exceptional personal circumstance, I’m unable to live in halls next year and furthermore I would not like to live in halls either way. As part of my uni course, we have a placement for 1/3 of the year so thats for 1 term out of 3 terms in the year.
This placement goes towards one of my modules and is assessed based on attendance and general performance. I have made a request for my placement location to be closer to home for me so fingers crossed it should be around 1hr 30 mins from home if not hopefully less. I understand it’s inevitable not to have a long commute either way and many other adults/ friends I've spoken to have had tough commuting experiences to work etc.
The remainder of my modules are assessed through coursework, presentations, essays and workshops so there are no formal exams. On average last year uni lectures took place around 3 sometimes 4 (in the busiest chunk of one term) a week.
I am wondering if due to this strenuous travel that I can ask for some sort of special consideration to complete part of my course/ some modules or lectures from home online using the virtual learning site where some individual modules are live recorded. One of my modules was live recorded this year and so whenever I was sick and couldn’t go into uni I would watch them from halls. The difference is that now I would be missing significant chunks of in person attendance rather than a couple days off for a cold.
Does anyone know if unis can offer a special circumstance related reduced timetable whereby you will not be penalised for your absence in person as long as you are submitting assignments etc? I hope that if this is the case I could have a reduced timetable of 2 out of 3 days a week rather than having to go in for 3. How would I go about this?
Btw before anyone asks, I do not want to nor am I able to transfer unis to same course easily. I have looked on UCAS and other websites and the other universities which offer the same course transfer only do so in year 3 so there is virtually no point transferring for my final year if I might as well graduate in the same uni. Furthermore all the modules taken in these other unis are completely different and my current course is an exclusive combined honours course only offered at this university whereas the unis I could transfer to would strip me of my current combined honour turning it into a single honours. Hopefully If that makes sense

Hello there,

I really sympathise with your commute, and understand totally your query with the timetable situation. I would speak to your tutors primarily and also the student services team as I am sure that they will be able to help you. If you explain your commute, its length and the idea that you had in relation to the online recordings of the lectures etc. I am sure that the university will be able to put some sort of action plan in place to help you. The university has your best interests at heart and wants your student experience to be as positive as possible and as a result will try and do as much as possible to help you,

I really hope you manage to have the adjustments to your timetable and it works out well for you,
Good luck with the rest of your course and your placements,
Jess
PhD English
University of Chester