Bristol freshers offered digs in Wales as city’s rooms are full

Camilla Turner

Imogen Horton

BRISTOL University has offered students accommodation across the border in Wales this term after it ran out of room, it has emerged.

The university wrote to over 100 prospective first-year students to inform them that they have no more space left at halls in the city.

One of the possible alternatives suggested by Bristol’s accommodation office was a “Commute and Save” residence in Newport, which is more than 30 miles away from the campus. Anyone who takes up this option will be given a free bus pass.

Another suggestion for freshers was to take up accommodation at the university’s veterinary sciences campus, 14 miles away from the main campus, or ask to stay with family or friends in the area.

Students who choose Bristol as their first-choice university are guaranteed accommodation. However, those who put it as their backup, or who get a place through clearing, are offered no such guarantee.

One student said: “They had the cheek to offer student accommodation in Wales. That is a 30-40 minute train journey away as well as an additional half an hour walk. It has felt like I’m being punished for picking them as my insurance choice.”

The Students’ Union called the situation “extremely disappointing”.

The number of students at Bristol University has increased by 23 per cent in the past five years, from 18,716 in 2013-14 to 23,027 in 2017-18.

A Bristol University spokesman said: “We are individually supporting students who were not guaranteed accommodation.”