Insurance accommodation process at Bristol

[lastdayatschool]

Does anyone have any recent experience of the process of applying for/gaining accommodation at Bristol (not UWE) when it was DC's insurance choice, and they missed firm on results day ?

I'm aware of all the anecdotal evidence re. commuting from Newport, Bath etc. but would love to hear from someone who knows:

1. What the actual application process is ? I've seen reference to having to specify maximum budget and room choice, as opposed to preferred hall(s)

1. What the likelihood is of gaining a place in university accommodation ?

1. Any gotchas to be aware of.

@Needmoresleep

Even if he were allocated a shared room, it is not the end of the world

A shared room would mot work well for DS when his GF comes to stay

Yes. But 1. it is unlikely, and 2. he would be able to swap. There will be one or two who will never turn up/drop out quickly. 3. The saving on the room cost would presumably pay for the odd hotel room.

I would not see it as a reason for rejecting a University, but if he is unhappy about his room allocation he could always drop out before the start of term and take a gap year.

@lastdayatschool they make that work ! Loads have 'visitors', even in shared rooms. Did in my day too 🫣

Some do/some don't.

I was in a shared room 30+ years ago - all first years shared in my Durham college.

My room mate definitely didn't "make it work" 😀

@lastdayatschool ah the memories 😂.

My DD was in this position 4 years ago so it may have changed, on results day, when she knew it was bristol, she applied for self catered halls in order of preference, I think there where 3 or 4 choices. Anyway, she got none of them, but was offered a shared room at Wills which is catered. At least it was cheap. It was ok, the room was two adjoining rooms rather than twin room and she liked the food. She was glad to b in stoke bishop too. But she did move after a couple of months to her first choice of hall. That process involved applying but then we realised those that were getting moved were going to student services in person and explaining why they needed to move, You needed to do this before the weekly meeting when they allocate the available rooms that had come up. Of course that may have changed.

@girlgonenorth That’s the type of room DD got in Wills. Complete with fireplace! DD stayed and was happy. She made friends and that mattered more than room. There’s often movement. Another girl decided she didn’t want to be at uni at all and left. DD stayed put and another girl moved in. As you say, for catered it’s cheap and DD spent her money on other things!

Student housing crisis could see undergrads starting term in hotel rooms as universities refuse to … https://mol.im/a/12399651 via https://dailym.ai/android

@Needmoresleep the same article, quoting the same sources and using the same examples, but written by different journalists is also in The Times today.

Sensationalism and lack of balance at its worst

The typical offer of universities such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Durham, St. Andrews, etc. is now so high that very few students insure these offers. The likelihood that a student will miss their firm offer but somehow make their Bristol offer is quite low. I think the number of students coming into these universities via the insurance route is now much lower than pre-pandemic.

The one exception are students who have received a contextual offer from the above. However, I would hope these students are shown more leniency by their firm choice even if they do drop a grade below the typical offer.

As an update to this thread, in case useful for applicants selecting unis , one of DC’s friends just went to Bristol as his insurance and is living in Newport. So I don’t think it’s scaremongering or sensationalist to discuss the shortage of student accommodation either in halls in some unis and/or in private rentals. It seems to vary a lot from place to place but I am hearing of quite a few of my DCs’ friends who are having significant difficulties finding accommodation. Some unis are building more halls and there are more private halls, so situation can change year to year.

I never really thought before to factor in the likelihood of getting halls accommodation in choosing an insurance uni, but now I think it’s increasingly important.

It’s long been the case that Insurance students have difficulty at Bristol. Not 1 st Choice generally. So not a new situation. It was the same when dd went years ago. Could they not defer or apply next year? DD refused to do this I have to say though.

@Squirrelsonthescaffolding Its been a huge issue since A level results have been inflated and well publicised. It’s also reflected in student rentals from y2 onwards.