Prospective students for the University of Glasgow were told that accommodation was not guaranteed, as exam results were released on Tuesday.
The university has said increased demand and a significant contraction in Glasgow’s private rental market are to blame. New students were disappointed to discover the accommodation they thought was set in stone was not promised.
Students who live within commuting distance were automatically denied accommodation, while prospective students from further afield were told being provided a place to stay was not guaranteed. The university has now strongly advised students against registering at the university unless they have secured a place to stay.
READ MORE - Prospective Glasgow Clyde College students set to have their minds read to find perfect course
The Student’s Representative Council claims the university has accepted too many new students.
A spokesperson from the University of Glasgow 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.
“Despite having increased the number of rooms under university management by 25 per cent for the new academic year, we 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. While we are unable to offer accommodation for students living within reasonable commuting distance, we will continue to check regularly on the availability of private provider accommodation and will share updates when we have them.
Lynne Mackintosh, a mother from South Edinburgh, told us about her son's stress on discovering he may not have a place to stay while studying. She said: “When he got his offers in May, he picked his options - both were at Glasgow and we were reassured as they said they ‘guaranteed’ a place for first-year students on the accommodation application.
“On his exam results day he received an email saying ‘well done, you’re into Glasgow’. Then another, saying they were sorry but the accommodation was heavily oversubscribed so he may not get a place.
“We’re hearing there is no space left, but they haven’t even been clear on this. It’s stressing my son as it looks like without accommodation, he can’t take up his place.
“We live in South Edinburgh so commuting isn’t a practical option, he might as well have applied for a local uni if he was going to end up living at home. He knocked back a Dundee offer, which he would’ve taken if he’d known about this crisis earlier.
“The University of Glasgow must have known this was looming, and just haven’t told anymore. Same thing happened last year apparently.”
The university has suggested seeking information on private rented accommodation from the Students’ Representative Council Advice Centre.
READ NEXT:
Prospective Glasgow Clyde College students set to have their minds read to find perfect course
Glasgow salon offers free back to school haircuts to families who can't afford to pay
Students use sneaky trick to get week's worth of pizza from Gordon Ramsay
Over 500 city centre student flats set for approval despite fears they will 'harm' community
Glasgow Clyde College launches free breakfasts for students to help tackle food poverty
