Which unis have the accommodation issues?

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Starting to look at Uni for DD (2024 entry so still very early stages). I keep seeing reports of some unis having massive accommodation problems for both 1st and subsequent years. Which are the worst ones? I suspect the London ones? But I think there are others.

Friend's son is having a nightmare trying to find accommodation in Exeter.

Really? We have a child in Exeter and they haven't had any problems at all. Still loads of accommodation coming on the market even now.

Or are you talking about first year accommodation. Even then - no issues, although there's the usual issues that few get their first choice.
Most of the Exeter accommodation seems pretty good as far as I can see/ hear.

Durham was the one that was in the news this year, but the uni and letting agents were suggesting that it was all getting a bit blown out of proportion.

Bristol has also had problems in recent years.

But don't forget - the last few years have been atypical, with population bulges and large numbers delaying starting due to covid etc.

Depends on the type of problem you mean. London doesn’t run out of accommodation - it just get very dear. But some of the smaller university towns genuinely seem to have run out for 2/3rd years

And then there is the first year factor - do they enough in house for first years or are they shipping them out. I agree, one hears of first years ending up in other cities. I am curious if this is happening to students who firm or only insurance places.

I think that’s my worry - dd is leaning towards campus unis which some are in smaller towns

I know there is simply not enough accommodation in Bristol or Glasgow - I know a student at Glasgow who was sofasurfing/commuting from London for a term because of that. I've heard of students at Bristol ending up in accommodation an hour or more travel distance from the uni.

Uni of Manchester had people living in halls in liverpool.

Manchester was in our regional news last week with students saying they are sofa surfing as they can’t find accommodation. Students are travelling from Liverpool and have even been offered money to stay in Huddersfield due to the shortages!

manchestermill.co.uk/p/too-many-students-not-enough-housing

Asylum seekers who are kept in holding centres or hotels? Can't exactly see that being a problem ....

St Andrews is very tight for housing.

The news stories are often scaremongering. A university may run out of places in their halls but there are regularly still places in private halls/shared accommodation .

I worked in HE for many years (only recently left) and there’s often students with tall tales of not being able to find accommodation, then the next minute you’ll be speaking to a student whose just easily transferred places to a different halls or one whose struggled to decide between a number of different houses.

Applying early for first year accommodation always helps.

Durham is fine for first year. It’s been bad recently for the current freshers looking for 2nd year accommodation ALREADY! This problem should subside in subsequent years though, as it was caused by more people being admitted over COVID due to TAGs.

Some cities have a problem with first year accommodation - definitely Glasgow & Manchester this year. The problem is not exaggerated or scare mongered - one of DSs friends was staying in a hotel the first two months before any student accommodation - private or uni owned - could be found.

Some places have a problem with Y2 onwards housing stock - think St Andrews, Durham.

Some places have a problem with eye watering rental fees for Y2 onwards - think London etc.

I think there is a fair degree of truth in this!
DS had a friend who was very vocal about how the uni had 'failed' to provide him with first year accommodation and how he had to pay for very expensive private accommodation off campus in first year.

The truth was that it was his own disorganization and lack of admin skills which failed him. He didn't bother to read any of the introductory emails from the uni and missed the deadline for applying for accommodation. Then only started thinking about it a few weeks before he was due to arrive and was indignant when the uni said 'sorry mate, here's a list of some private providers...'

Exeter hasn't been a problem for my DD either. They've built massive new accommodation blocks on campus and have enough, I believe, for all first years. She's been OK 2nd year and hopefully has sorted 3rd year now. It's still worrying as there's a nationwide crunch on rentals, and a Covid bulge.

The Old Bristol poly has definitely had problems, placing students in Gloucester and Newport. Glasgow has been sticking kids in Paisley. St Andrews and Durham have possibly always had issues in 2/3rd year. It is off putting.

Nottingham must have room to spare.
It seems the w toyed city is being taken over by student accommodation!

Edinburgh is a bit tricky and expensive too.

Agree although the proposed restrictions on short term lets and airbnb may help.

I think the locals would definitely disagree that there is not enough student accommodation, there is nothing but blooming student blocks. Loads have been built in recent years. I am a mature student in my first year and none of the students has had a problem getting into halls. There is a panic about finding houses for the second year already, but I think that is largely faffing and panicking over nothing and egging each other on from what I can gather! (my niece was an undergraduate here a few years ago and accommodation was not an issue for her).

Speaking about Exeter!

Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling have been mentioned in the Scottish news.