Postgraduate accommodation prices rise 13.5 per cent in four years

Megan Ballantyne and Amy Rushton Editor and News Editor

THE University of Exeter's postgraduate accommodation prices are set to rise 13.5 per cent over a four year period, between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 academic year. This constitutes an increase from an average weekly price of £161 in 2019/20 to £183 in 2023/24, with weekly postgraduate rents therefore rising approximately £22.

The number of university postgraduate bedspaces, however, will have only risen by 12 per cent in this four year peiod, despite a 25 per cent rise in postgraduate student numbers at Exeter in the last three years between 2019/20 and 2022/23. 830 beds were available to postgraduate students in 2019/20, a number which has only risen by 112 to 942 in 2023/24. This is despite postgraduate student numbers increasing from 5499 in 2019/20 to 7281 in 2022/23 according to University figures.

[The number of] postgraduate bedspaces has only increased 12 per cent... despite a 25 percent increase in postgraduate student numbers

Exeposé have previously reported that average annual undergraduate accommodation prices are rising 8.8 per cent for undergraduates between the 2022/23 academic year and 2023/24 academic year, in stark contract with the increase in average annual weekly rents for postgraduates next year, which is only 3.4 per cent.

Particular halls have experienced dramatic spikes their rent prices while others have only experienced minimal changes. One of the most affordable options for postgraduates, a single standard room in Rowancroft, which houses both undergraduate and postgraduate students, has increased in price approximately 37 per cent over the last four years, from approximately £91 per week in 2019/20 to £124 a week in 2023/24. Meanwhile Spreytonway, a hall designed exclusively for postgraduate students has had its approximate weekly rent rise by only 5.4 per cent since 2020/21, when it was first available for students to live in.

The average weekly price for postgraduate accommodation in 2023/24 continues to be higher than the average weekly price of selfcatered university undergraduate accommodation, which is on average approximately £179 per week compared to £183 per week for postgraduate accommodation. This figure however does not necessarily reflect the increase in annual rents in postgraduate halls, as these typically have longer contracts than undergraduate halls, with the majority of undergraduate accommodation offering contracts of either 40 or 42 weeks in length. This is while the majority of postgraduate halls offer contracts of between 44 and 51 weeks, which therefore makes the typical annual rents of postgraduate students significantly higher than that of their undergraduate counterparts living in similar styles of accommodation. This is despite many postgraduate students receiving less government financial assistance than undergraduates. Masters students receive a ‘Masters Loan’ rather than the tuition fees loan and meanstested maintenance loan which undergraduates receive. This loan was £11,836 in the 2022/23 academic year, and is intended to cover tuition costs and some living costs.

One postgraduate student spoke to Exeposé about how this insufficient financial support left them struggling with rent costs, stating “The government loan I receive covers my tuition fees and leaves me with minimal funds for rent and food, etc. I therefore have to work 15 hours a week, despite the University's discouragement of part-time work for postgrads.”

A spokesperson for the Students' Guild said: "Lily Margaroli, Guild President, has been closely working with the University to review their ‘affordability principles’ for accommodation, as well as bursaries for students living in university accommodation. Lily regularly sits in discussions about the estate strategies, and the University are planning to increase the number of bedrooms on campus in the upcoming years. The Guild Advice team support all students with both accommodation and financial issues, they can help with contracts, identifying where to live, and ensuring moving in and out goes smoothly."

A spokesperson for the University of Exeter said: "The University has maintained a range of accommodation at various contract lengths, types and prices for postgraduate students, located both on and off campus. This includes making more standard rooms available to PG students than in previous years."