University challenge: how to afford £1,100 a month rent for halls

STUDENTS are facing ‘unaffordable’ accommodation bills as university halls increase their prices to record levels.

A room will cost up to £1,100 a month when the new term starts in September, research by The Scottish Mail on Sunday shows. Student digs are most expensive in St Andrews and Edinburgh, although universities across Scotland have increased fees by up to 7 per cent. Halls of residence can be a vital first step into university life as they offer safe and secure accommodation as well as a chance to mingle with other students.

But last night student welfare campaigners warned sky-high fees were making halls unaffordable.

Edinburgh University Students’ Association Vice President for Community, Isi Williams, said: ‘Halls are increasingly expensive while student loans are stagnant.

‘This puts pressure on students to study in their home cities or commute. Institutions should ensure students are supported in securing safe, affordable accommodation.

‘Accommodation issues have led to reports of students commuting to Edinburgh daily from as far away as Cumbria as it is cheaper.’

Scotland’s most expensive digs are Whitehorn Hall in St Andrews, where catered ensuite rooms cost £10,137 per nine-month academic year, equivalent to £1,126 a month.

A St Andrews University spokesman said: ‘This year we’ve pegged the increase at 3.5 per cent.’ Edin

‘Students are commuting from as far as Cumbria’

burgh University has frozen rents for 2022/23 but a catered ensuite room in Pollock Halls still costs £9,562, or £1,072 a month.

The University of Dundee has increased prices by around 7 per cent from last year. This leaves the cost of a premier self-catered ensuite in Belmont Flats at £6,798, which equates to £755 per month.

Students in Aberdeen face a similar rise. A self-catered ensuite in the New Carnegie Court halls now costs £6,240 – up from £5,772.

The University of Aberdeen said: ‘In line with the increase in energy costs there has been a rise in accommodation fees.’

The maximum student loan is £7,100 but those whose parents earn more than £34,000 a year can only get £5,100, covering barely half the cost of the dearest halls.

A National Union Of Students Scotland spokesman said: ‘Spiralling rents mean student support now barely covers the cost of keeping a roof over your head.’

Water cut off to fight blaze

FAMILIES were left without water yesterday as firefighters battled to bring a major blaze at a recycling plant under control.

Crews from 24 appliances attended the Altens East complex near Aberdeen on Friday night as a fire that began in a shed ripped through the site.

Local residents were left with a limited water supply after firefighters had to redirect water to try to extinguish the flames.

A spokesman for Scottish Water warned householders: ‘The firefighters’ response requires the use of a significant amount of water from our network.

‘You may experience no water or low water pressure whilst this incident is ongoing.’