are deposits refundable?

[Chilldonaldchill]

I'm asking this for info because I've not come across this situation.
One of my dc's friends is going to be the first to go to uni from their family (English is not the parents' first language and they have done/arranged everything themselves with emotional support but nothing else).
They missed their offer by a grade and were rejected (they didn't have an insurance as hadn't had any other offers). They have applied for another course at the same uni and it looks as though they will be starting that in September.
I mentioned to dc that I was surprised they hadn't tried to get onto their original course at a different uni because I was fairly certain that the grades exceeded those expected at some other unis.
DC told me that they had already paid a deposit for uni accommodation of several hundred pounds (at the time of firming the offer) and the reason they haven't looked elsewhere is because they can't afford to lose their deposit.
Is it true that the deposit is / could be non refundable?

Apologies for the title. I've no idea what happened there! I will ask Mumsnet if they can alter it!

As far as I am aware, deposits are normally refunded if the student misses their offer grades and is rejected by the university. It will (or at least should!) say in the Ts&Cs.

Doesn't sound right. Normally accommodation is sorted out way later than the initial application is made and once firm and insurance offers have been accepted. And insurance offer holders don't usually arrange accommodation until after they've got results and know they missed their firm. At which point the firm should release any deposit back.

Did the pay the deposit to the University or a private accommodation firm?

Thanks. I thought it didn't sound right. I might have a chat with them although I suspect any places left in clearing will have gone now (it was a popular course this year as well) and I know they adamantly don't want a gap year. So maybe they will want to do this anyway. Thanks for the help.

@ChicChaos

Did the pay the deposit to the University or a private accommodation firm?

I understood it to be to the university itself. It has 2 different campuses and the accommodation is definitely on one of the campuses.

That's so kind of you @Chilldonaldchill to be helping he lad out.

It sounds a bit odd.
My DD had a conditional offer last year and although she could apply for university accommodation she couldn't formalise it until she had a confirmed place at the university.
I think this is fairly standard practice.

They would not be paying any money at the time that they firmed the offer unless they had arranged to rent privately.

Thanks everyone. It sounded a bit odd. My DC is a couple of years younger than them (friends via a hobby) so it could be a misunderstanding but I will check...