exeposé

Undergraduate accomodation prices rise by 8.8 per cent for 2023/24 academic year

UNIVERSITY undergraduate accommodation prices in Exeter are set to rise by almost 9 per cent in the coming 2023/24 academic year. Data compiled by Exeposé found that there is set to be an 8.8 per cent increase in annual accommodation costs across catered and self-catered undergraduate accommodation from the 2022/23 academic year. The average undergraduate accommodation price is set to rise from £6891 to £7494, an increase of over

£600. This follows a 5.3 per cent average rise in the previous year, between 2021/22 and 2022/23, and offers a stark increase from the University’s undergraduate accommodation price increase between 2020/2021 and 2021/22, which only saw an increase in accommodation prices of 1.9 per cent.

The release of these figures comes following the government’s announcement that maintenance loans would only increase by 2.8 per cent, despite rising accommodation and living costs across the country. For those who receive the maximum maintenance loan, the increase in their loan will be £272 for the next academic year. When compared with the average increase in accommodation prices, this still leaves an over £300 shortfall for undergraduate students to make up in the coming year, not taking into account the increased cost of living in other respects.

This also comes as Exeposé finds a decrease in the amount of University accommodation on offer to undergraduates over the last few years, despite an overall trend of increasing undergraduate numbers. In the academic year 2020/21, 5458 beds were on offer for undergraduates, which has fallen to 5068 for the 2023/24 academic year, a nearly 8 per cent drop (7.7 per cent). This is despite combined under- graduate and postgraduate student numbers in Exeter at St Lukes and Streatham campuses rising 9.6 per cent in the last two years between 2020/21 and 2022/23.

The University of Exeter told Exeposé that: “For 2023/24, 23 per cent of the rooms we offer will have an annual rent below £6800, based on a 40-week contract.” Rooms below this price are mostly ‘standard’ rooms with shared bathrooms. With increasing undergraduate student intakes, however, many worry that these more affordable accommodation options will be difficult to come by.

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IT’S that time of the term where work is getting serious, the weather is getting better but it’s just not spring yet and deadlines are approaching. But fear not! Exeposé are back (once again) to bring you another edition full of interesting stories, interviews and reviews. This edition we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month and throughout the paper we’ve got articles on a wide range of LGBTQ+ issues, themes and people. Alongside this edition, we’ve also recently released our Guild Elections Special Edition in which we feature interviews with candidates running for Guild officer roles in the upcoming elections.

In News we look at the steep increase in University undergraduate accommodation prices for 2023/24, which is taking place alongside a mere 2.8 per cent increase in student maintenance loans in the coming year (pages 1 and 4). We also cover the recent protest against speaker Yoseph Haddad hosted by the Israeli and Zionist society and look at the demands of Shell Out's open letter to the University (page 3).

In Features, Exeposé spoke to the new Labour candidate for Exeter, Steve Race, about local issues in Exeter, NHS reform and the recent wave of strikes (page 9). In International, we cover the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria and speak with some of the earthquake victims (page 10). Elsewhere, in Comment, writers debate whether doing a masters is worth it (page 13) and also discuss the joys of learning a new language (page 12) while Satire provides an insight into campus cat, Napoleon’s views on current affairs (page 14).

In Lifestyle we discuss the significance of LGBTQ+ History Month (page 16) and looking ahead to Pancake Day, we provide the perfect recipe for your Shrove Tuesday (page 17). Arts + Lit writers spotlight LGBTQ+ artists and writers (page 18) and in Music, we feature a live review of China Bears at Cavern (page 21). Screen writers discuss their favourite queer TV shows (page 23) and in Tech we reflect on the life and work of Alan Turing (page 24). In Science, we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month by discussing the experiences of members of the community who work in STEM (page 28).

Finally, in Sport we discuss the This Girl Can campaign (page 30) and also speak to Aston Martin’s Matt Bishop (page 31). We also look at the contributions LGBTQ+ people have made to sport (page 31) and cover the recent Varsity match between Exeter and Nottingham (page 32). We hope you enjoy reading this edition and as always from everyone at Exeposé, have a great next few weeks!

LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBTQ+ contribution to sport PAGE 31