Students protest over cost of University of Birmingham accommodation
Jan 27 2009 by Tony Collins, Birmingham Post
Dozens of students have called on the University of Birmingham to reduce its accommodation costs after claiming that children from middle and lower income families are being priced out of a top class higher education.
The Guild of Students at the University of Birmingham yesterday handed in a petition bearing almost 2,000 signatures following a protest march that ended with a demonstration in Chancellor’s Court.
They claim that halls of residence costs at the Edgbaston-based university have steadily risen for years to the point where they are now significantly higher than other comparable Russell Group institutions and universities within the West Midlands.
And they claim that accommodation costs at Birmingham have now become a barrier to middle and low income families wishing to send their children to the university.
James Ogden, vice-president at the Guild of Students, said: “At the current rate, any students just over the threshold for a means tested maintenance loan and who receive no bursaries will struggle to find money to pay for their accommodation costs.
“The facilities offered in halls of residence by the University of Birmingham are commendable but similar to many institutions.
“Many students’ parents pay for their halls of residence but it is unacceptable to suggest that all students receive help from their parents. They don’t.”
First year economic and political science student Vicky Barber, 18, who handed in the petition with Mark Harrop, 19, said: “I am currently paying £5,995 a year in my halls, which is just so expensive.”
A report by the Guild calls on Birmingham to reduce its halls of residence costs to bring the average into line with similar Russell Group institutions of between £86.82 and £89.34 a week. They say Birmingham halls are around £7 a week higher on average.
The Guild also wants Chamberlain Hall to become an affordable block with no en-suite accommodation, and the university to create a housing bursary for those students needing financial help.
They add that Birmingham’s halls are the third highest in the Russell Group of leading research universities when London universities are discounted, while students pay nearly £1,000 a year more than private accommodation.
A University of Birmingham spokesman said: “We strongly believe the quality and cost of our accommodation compares very favourably with similar universities nationally and regionally.
“Whilst we are aware that rents can be higher than for private student accommodation it should be remembered that rent in university owned accommodation offers additional benefits. This ranges from regular repairs and maintenance services and 24 hour security and CCTV coverage, to a high speed data/internet service.
“We are acutely aware that students face significant costs whilst at university including paying for accommodation. We, therefore, benchmark our rent levels with all other Russell Group universities to ensure students get value for money.”
