News / Education
Students in bunk beds at over-recruited halls
As thousands of students arrive for the start of Bristol University’s academic year this week, hundreds are being forced to share single bedrooms in halls of residence after the institution over-recruited first year undergraduates.
Some 20,000 students are expected this week in preparation for Welcome Week – one of the most important dates in the university calendar.
But thanks to larger than expected numbers gaining places at the university, about 170 students will be offered shared rooms (in bunk-beds) at 25% the usual rent.
The university said the move was temporary and that it hopes all students will be moved into their own rooms by the end of the first term.
Students’ Union Student Living Officer Tom Phipps stated in a blog: “As a Students’ Union we are disappointed for the students who were expecting a room to themselves and we will be working with the university to provide the best possible deal for these students.”
In an email to students the university claimed that because “Bristol is even more popular than usual – some of our students will have to share our larger rooms for the first few weeks of term.
“We do have some experience of this kind of arrangement and this suggests that the many students in temporary shares will be able to move on to single rooms within a couple of weeks.
“In the past few years everyone has moved within six weeks but it may take a little longer than that this year.
“We appreciate this is not necessarily what you were expecting.”
The Students’ Union (UBU) is preparing for its second annual Welcome Fair on the Harbourside on Friday.
Some 15,000 students are expected to descend on Millennium Square, Waterfront Square and the Amphitheatre to visit a range of stalls, live music and performances from societies, sports clubs, services and local businesses.
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