St Andrew's 2023 intake

[Karmacat]

Hi my son is very keen to apply to St Andrew's. However he has been told that there is a terrible problem getting into halls of residence, especially for 1st years. He is a very very shy boy and really wouldn't want to live out of halls particularly when he is new. Has anyone else heard of this problem?

Pretty sure first years are guaranteed accommodation in the first year. Challenge begins thereafter as there’s not enough housing stock for everyone.

I know anecdotally of a first year allocated hall accommodation in Dundee last year (school friend of DN). Perhaps ask them to confirm how many 1st years they anticipate housing in 2023-2024 outside the town. Family who live locally said they think 1st year undergraduates will be housed in halls in town but some 1st year postgraduates might be in Dundee/Leuchars. Wonder if new rules on short term lets in Scotland might mean more properties for students (will in Edinburgh but not sure about StA).

Think there are some new halls opening either for this year or next year too.

Thanks for the replies. I think he needs to speak to the Uni, it's a real deal breaker for him, he'd be pretty happy if he was guaranteed halls just for the first year, so we'll see what they have to say.

As EightyTwenty says the issue is not really of concern for first years as first years are guaranteed university accommodation. The University is able to house quite a lot of students in subsequent years as well if they choose to apply but there is only a guarantee for first year.
My Covid-hit DC signed up for a private hall for second and third year as there was a risk the private accommodation hall would sell out before the University accommodation had been allocated for 2nd and 3rd Year.
The exam result fiasco of the last 2 years seems to be what has caused the current issues with lack of supply. Even the University managed accommodation is at the expensive end of average fees. There are more Halls being built by St Andrews and some students were placed in Dundee by the University a couple of years ago.
The website contains details of the accommodation guarantee for first years.