These include Falmouth University College, University of Sussex, University of Worcester, Anglia Ruskin University and King’s College London.
The situation at Falmouth University College has been receiving a fair amount of local and national media coverage and Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union are working hard with the university accommodation office to find satisfactory solutions for as many of the students as possible.
Speaking about the accommodation shortages, NUS Vice President for Welfare, Ben Whittaker said:
“Moving away from home for the first time can be a difficult time for many students and an unsettled or unsuitable housing situation can add greatly to that stress.”
“Whilst we appreciate the pressures placed on universities at a time when funding is being cut and student numbers are rising, it is unacceptable for them not to ensure there is adequate housing for their students either in university halls or local private accommodation.”
“If universities fail to advertise to prospective students, or to anticipate housing shortages, this places students in a difficult situation where they may have expected to be housed on campus or in a particular type of accommodation and then find that the university unable to fulfil that need.”
“Universities must ensure that there is sufficient accommodation for all new students before increasing the number of places they provide.”
Anyone experiencing problems with their accommodation should contact their university students union representatives in the first instance or contact NUS at sarah.wayman@nus.org.uk