New students at the University of Glasgow will not be guaranteed accommodation this year, due to increased demand and a ‘significant’ contraction in the city’s private rental market.
Students who live within commuting distance were automatically denied accommodation after receiving their results on Tuesday, whilst prospective students from further away were told they are no longer guaranteed somewhere to stay.
Student Representative Council condemns situation
The university’s Students’ Representative Council said that they are ‘aware’ of the issues and expressed their ‘disappointment at the university’s approach.’
The SRC said: ‘After the accommodation crisis across Glasgow last year, the SRC lobbied the university to commit to a moratorium on student numbers, despite this it now seems that over-recruitment has contributed to the creation of a similar situation.’
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the university said: ‘Regrettably, due to a significant contraction in the private rental market, demand for rooms continues to be substantially ahead of expectation and we are no longer in a position to provide guaranteed university accommodation.
They explained that despite having increased the number of rooms under university management by 25% for the new academic year, they are having to prioritise accommodation for students who are unable to travel from home.
‘We understand the concern students have about finding accommodation for the new semester,’ they said.
Glasgow University Accomodation
According to the BBC, English students will not find out whether they have university accommodation until up to 10 working days after they receive their A-level results.
One student, from Burton-on-Trent, told the news outlet: ‘I was really, really looking forward to going but now it’s looking like I might not be able to go at all. Either I withdraw my application, which would also withdraw my insurance option, or I take a risk and try to find somewhere private to stay in two weeks and possibly be left with no accommodation.
‘I don’t even know my results yet and whether I’ve got in and then I have two weeks to find private accommodation.’
The SRC offers an advice centre, where students can go with any housing concerns. The centre is located on the ground floor of the McIntyre Building (next to the University Main Gate), and ‘is staffed by professional and experienced advice workers.’
