The University of Exeter has told certain students set to start studying in September they can defer their places until next year due to a shortage of student accommodation.
The university said it has experienced "exceptionally strong demand" from prospective students wanting to study at Exeter this year combined with "very high demand for accommodation across the city."
Similar situation at Cardiff University
The news comes after Cardiff University told students accepted on some courses for this September that their places were being deferred to 2027. The university said "an exceptionally high number of applicants met the conditions of their offers and it can't take them all."
A spokesman for Cardiff University confirmed while they are honouring their commitments to students covered by the university's accommodation guarantee, the level of demand this year means they cannot provide university accommodation to some students who fall outside the guarantee's scope.
Accommodation guarantee and deadline
The University of Exeter accommodation guarantee promises a room to eligible new first-year students who submit applications by the annual deadline of July 31, which falls just under a fortnight before students received their A-Level results on August 13.
The situation was initially reported by student newspaper The Exeter Tab, which spoke to students affected by the accommodation shortfall, reports DevonLive.
One student told The Exeter Tab she believed she only managed to secure a room because she completed an International Baccalaureate, which had an earlier results day ahead of the accommodation deadline.
University response and options
A university spokesman said: "We recognise how disappointing this will be and we are contacting affected students directly so they understand the position as early as possible and have time to consider the options available to them."
The university stated it was helping students to explore private accommodation options in Exeter through its accommodation services.
It went on to say: "Students who live in private accommodation are fully part of the Exeter community with the same access to teaching, student support, Welcome Week, and Students' Guild activities."
Students also have the option to defer their studies to next academic year.
"We are looking forward to welcoming our new students in September and will continue to provide practical support to those affected as they prepare to join us."
