In an email sent to students, the university said ‘rooms on campus are fully allocated’
As many as 1,000 incoming Warwick students expecting accommodation on campus have been allocated housing up to an hour away.
The university told these students via email that “rooms on campus are fully allocated”, but reassured them they will be “offered accommodation with one of our partner providers” instead.
However, The Boar reports that the university’s decision to house new students off campus has left some parents and incoming students feeling “disappointed” and, in some cases, “distraught”.
Two of the accommodation alternatives, City Village and Albany Student Village, are located in central Coventry, between 45 minutes and an hour walk away from campus.
According to the university’s allocation principles, all incoming undergraduate students who chose Warwick as their “firm choice” by 19th August were “guaranteed an offer of university-allocated accommodation”.
However, these guidelines, which include the possibility of students being offered partnership accommodation, have been described by parents as unclear and vague.
Recent closures of on-campus accommodation are being cited as the likely cause for the number of rooms available on campus this year. Whitefields, shared bathroom rooms in Westwood, as well as a number of rooms in Claycroft are now unavailable due to ongoing renovation works.
Despite these planned closures, some students and parents who contacted the university about the off-campus accommodation claimed to have been met with a lack of empathy and understanding regarding the situation.
Due to Warwick’s accommodation being allocated via a random system, students who applied “within minutes of the portal opening” are among those left without rooms on campus, according to one Warwick Facebook group.
This random allocation system also means Warwick accommodation offers are often sent out later than those at other universities.
A University of Warwick spokesperson said: “We understand that accommodation is a key concern for students and their families as new students transition into university life. We appreciate their patience and understanding during this period.
“Every eligible first-year student received an offer of accommodation in line with our Allocation Principles. This includes on campus accommodation or within one of our partnership providers, both of which are included in our university-allocated accommodation guarantee.
“This year, we have increased the number of on campus accommodation available to first-year students compared to last year.
“Due to an exceptionally high demand for accommodation, some students have been allocated rooms off-campus with our partnership providers.
“Our partner providers are purpose-built for student living. They offer en suite rooms and studio flats, provided as part of a secure environment that includes 24/7 on-site assistance support and social spaces and amenities that help build a vibrant student community.
“The partnership accommodation is carefully thought through, with sites being selected for their convenient locations and excellent transport links to campus (typically 15 – 25 minutes by bus).
“We look forward to welcoming all our new and returning students to campus as the new academic year begins.”
