Glasgow flats offer in Uni crisis

Parents baffled by deal

Students denied accommodation at Stirling University have been offered alternative places to stay – in Glasgow.

Around 180 new first year students where told last week that they would not be given rooms on campus following an almost 20 per cent rise in applications.

However, the university has offered 70 of those students a bed at accommodation in Glasgow city centre.

University managers emailed students to offer them a spot at the £120-a-week facility, saying: “We have been able to secure a room for you in purpose-built student accommodation located at Dobbies Point, Glasgow, which is a 10-minute walk from Queen Street train station.

“Dobbies Point provides modern, apartment living in a purpose-built student accommodation that you will be sharing with other University of Stirling students.

“There are frequent trains to and from Stirling, taking 30 to 40 minutes. We will provide you with a 16- 25 railcard entitling you to ⅓ off train fares.”

A spokesperson for the university said: “We have a student population of more than 14,000, with the majority commuting from off campus.

“The university has recently invested £40 million in its student accommodation and has 2900 bed spaces available for September 2017.

“The university offers students the opportunity to apply for university accommodation and strives to meet the needs of all of our students. However, due to the number of applications, the university is unable to guarantee accommodation to every student.

“Following significantly increased demand this year, we regret we have been unable to offer university accommodation to a number of students.

“Overall there has been a 19.8 per cent increase in demand for university accommodation between the 2016/17 and 2017/18 academic years, rising from 3070 applications to 3679.

“Around 180 students were initially affected. However, 76 have now been offered university accommodation, with priority given to students under 18 and to those with previously-known health considerations which could impact upon their university education. Application dates were also considered as part of the process.

“A number of students have also confirmed that they have secured private accommodation.

“Seventy remaining students have been offered alternative accommodation at purpose-built student accommodation in the centre of Glasgow.

“We regret and apologise for any inconvenience to affected students.”

One mother, who asked not to be named, said the offer is “baffling” and she has found her daughter a private let in Bridge of Allan as an alternative.

She said: “We live in Fife. She would have been as well just staying here as moving to Glasgow.

“I’m not sending my 17year old daughter away to Glasgow on her own, where she doesn’t know anyone and when she goes to university in Stirling.

“I’m baffled that they would offer accommodation in Glasgow.”