NEW students arriving at the University of Glasgow this year will not be guaranteed accommodation.
Students who live within commuting distance were automatically denied accommodation after they received their results on Tuesday.
Prospective students from further afield have also been told that they cannot be guaranteed they will have somewhere to stay.
The university has said that increased demand as well as a “significant contraction” in Glasgow’s private rental market are to blame.
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) claimed the university had accepted too many new students.
Elissa Varley (18) from Burton-on-Trent, has a conditional offer to study politics at Glasgow University.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, she said: “I was really, really looking forward to going but now it’s looking like I might not be able to at all.
“Either I withdraw my application, which would also withdraw my insurance option, or I take a risk and try to find somewhere private to stay in two weeks and possibly be left with no accommodation.
“I don’t even know my results yet and whether I’ve got in and then I have two weeks to find private accommodation.
“I can’t commute five and a half hours.
“I wish they would have told us sooner so I would’ve been better prepared to look at different accommodation or I could’ve contacted a different university through clearing.”
Glasgow University said it had increased the number of rooms under its management by 25%.
However, it was unable to guarantee newcomers a place to stay and students have been advised against registering at the university unless they have alternative accommodation lined up.
Students hoping to arrive from south of the border won’t find out if they have got a place in accommodation until up to 10 working days after they receive their A-Level results on August 18.
A statement from Glasgow University’s SRC said: “The SRC is aware of the issues leading up to this point and we would like to express our disappointment at the university’s approach.
“After the accommodation crisis across Glasgow last year, the SRC lobbied the university to commit to a moratorium on student numbers.
“Despite this it now seems that over-recruitment has contributed to the creation of a similar situation.”
President of the SRC Rinna Vare said the student council were “very concerned” about how the shortage might affect the experience of freshers.
She said: “While we are aware this is a wider issue in the city, we try and push the university to communicate as early as possible on these issues.
“Our advice centre can support students with any concerns and help them consider their options.”
A Glasgow University spokesperson said: “Regrettably, due to a significant contraction in the private rental market, demand for rooms continues to be substantially ahead of expectation and we are no longer in a position to provide guaranteed university accommodation.
“Despite having increased the number of rooms under university management by 25 per cent for the new academic year, we are having to prioritise accommodation for students who are unable to travel from home.
“We understand the concern students have about finding accommodation for the new semester.”
They added that although unable to provide for those living within “reasonable commuting distance,” the university would continue to monitor the availability of private provider accommodation and share any updates.
They also urged those looking for information and advice on finding private rented accommodation to contact the SRC’s advice centre.
