Almost 300 new students due to start at Aberdeen University next month will be put up in hotels because of a shortage of accommodation.
Bosses at Aberdeen University will spend thousands of pounds booking out 100 rooms at the Britannia Hotel at Bucksburn following a surge of applicants this academic year.
Last night, the university came under fire for only revealing a few weeks before term starts that some new-starts will not be living in the expected halls of residence along with other students.
It is understood 280 people out of an intake of 4,000 will be effected.
A university spokeswoman said there had been an “unprecedented demand” for student accommodation this year, and that the situation was only temporary.
“The university is currently working to resolve this situation in both the short and longer term,” she said.
“We are asking students who live locally to consider deferring their entry into our accommodation, and also work has started on creating temporary dormitory accommodation in existing spaces in our accommodation.
“There will also be some students grouped together and accommodated in hotels, subsidised by the University.
“No first-time students will be without somewhere to stay.
“Transport and catering on campus is being provided and we are aiming to ensure that this has no impact on students being involved with Freshers Week.”
One mother, whose son is moving to the north-east from England and will be put up in the hotel, said she expected more from an establishment where they will be paying £9,000 a year in school fees.
“One reason my child chose Aberdeen University is because accommodation is guaranteed for first years,” she said.
“Aberdeen is an expensive city and it is difficult to find accommodation.
“It is deeply disappointing that this unsettling situation has arisen at such a late stage, just two weeks before term starts. I hope it is resolved promptly.”
