The price of university student accommodation in Bristol is 10% (almost £1,000 per academic year) more expensive than the national average, according to new analysis.
Student housing charity Unipol and the National Union of Students (NUS) have warned that disadvantaged students face being “priced out” of university in the 海角视频’s most expensive cities.
Figures published in a report by the two organisations show student rents, which normally include utilities and internet provision, have risen by more that 50% over the last decade, and currently stand at £8,133 as of this academic year.
This is compared to a national average of £7,374, which itself would swallow more than three-quarters (75%) of the maximum student loan available (£9,488).
The report said that prices had been pushed up in Bristol by a shortage of accommodation, competition for sites, expense of land and “ever-stricter” planning policies, with the situation “unlikely to change.”
Nationally, researchers found for students studying outside of London average annual rents stood at £6,707, accounting for 72% of the maximum student loan, while In London, it consumed 88% of the maximum loan - leaving students with £38 per week for other living costs.
The study also found that 70% of the bed spaces surveyed were being provided by the private sector as universities continued to move away from their own accommodation provision.
Unipol and the NUS called for “increased sector unity” between universities and their private partners in order to “share responsibility for welfare.”
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The report recommended that universities employ specialist staff to make “meaningful links” with private providers letting rooms to students, even where they are not providing accommodation of their own.
It also suggested that all providers should consider offering accommodation bursaries to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Martin Blakey, chief executive at Unipol, said: “The student maintenance system is broken and unless students can access help from parents or part-time work, many would find it difficult to pay these rent levels.
“If access to higher education is to be maintained and enhanced, then poorer students need affordable accommodation to enable them to study at a university of their choice, or accommodation providers need to provide help through targeted accommodation bursaries.”
Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, vice president for Higher Education at the NUS, added: “It’s disgraceful that so many young people are priced out, either deterred or unable to apply to university, or have their options severely limited by where they can afford to live."
The survey involved 140 institutions and private and charitable providers, representing 68% of bed spaces in the purpose-built student accommodation sector.
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