Understanding Loneliness at University: The power of Peer Research
At Neighbourly lab, our work focuses on supporting those who would benefit most from greater connection and support and we know university students are included in this. We know loneliness at universities is a huge problem and is becoming more prevalent. from national statistics alone, affecting students’ experiences while studying and negatively impacting their mental health. According to UPP foundation’s student futures report, 44% of students agree with the statement “I feel lonely at university” and 22% felt that their university experience had adverse effects on their mental health.
We were determined to work on a solution, not just with staff, but with the students themselves. Thanks to funding from the Creating Opportunities for Local Innovation Fellowships (COLIF), we were able to do this incredible piece of work, working collaboratively to co-design solutions to increase social connection in university.
We took a participatory, student led approach:
Every student deserves to feel connected and also to help shape these solutions that will increase social connection. This is why embedding a participatory approach, working with students as Peer Researchers and experts of lived experience was crucial. We brought a diverse group of 8 students together, trained them to carry out intercept and in depth interviews, and set up working groups with the four participating institutions – SOAS, LSE, University of Surrey and Royal Holloway University.
This participatory approach not only provided more valuable insight into the lives of students and their desire for social connection, but it was also a way to support our Peer Researchers to develop their skills and research experience and begin building meaningful connections between them and the staff at their university. We hope that the Working Groups encourage much collaboration and action, so that student loneliness is transformed.
Some key learnings:
We found that students’ experiences of loneliness are shaped by a combination of structural and cultural factors within universities. These include the cost of living, the availability of social and communal spaces, timetabling and teaching formats, and opportunities for informal interaction.
For example, the cost of living was frequently cited as a barrier to socialising. It affects how often students come to campus, how much time they spend there, and whether they can participate in social activities, often pushing them to prioritise academic commitments at the expense of connection. These challenges are not felt equally. Commuter students, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and international students reported greater financial pressures, which can further limit opportunities to build relationships and feel part of university life.
These insights highlight that tackling loneliness requires coordinated action across institutions. Students want to be more involved in social activities and are open to guidance on how to navigate the new university environment, but they cannot do this alone and need support. They need clearer pathways, more inclusive opportunities, centralised communication, and consistent support from their institutions to do so.
Finally, we encouraged everyone to think about the things they would like to see changed in their universities and what practical steps they could take to achieve this. The opportunities are endless and we would love to expand on this project to other institutions where social connection is needed and we believe in the power of fostering it.
If you’re interested to learn more about student loneliness and explore ways that it might be addressed, please contact Marnie – marnie@neighbourlylab.com