University to Increase Student Accommodation Fees Next Academic Year

The University of St Andrews is set to increase student accommodation fees for the next academic year. This coincides with the town having been named, for the second year in a row, the most expensive coastal town in Scotland by the Bank of Scotland Coastal Homes Review. 

The Bank of Scotland Coastal Homes Review reported that the housing market for coastal locations in Scotland was worth £1.9 billion in 2025, also finding that prices in Scottish coastal towns have increased by 25% over the last five years, greater than the British average of 18%. 

The price for some of the University student accommodation will also increase in the 2026-27 academic year, as observed on the university website.

A self-catered ensuite room in David Russel Apartments — one of the largest student accommodations in St Andrews — will increase from £8,849 in the 2025-26 academic year to £9,286 in 2026-27, as found on the University’s website. 

A University spokesperson told The Saint that “increases are based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index)+1 [adding 1% to the cumulated CPI] with dialogue, discussion and agreement with the Student President.” The spokesperson added that “accommodation is available to students at varying rent levels. For students who require assistance with fees, the University has various funds which can be accessed.”

They added that the 5% increase to rent for the 2026-27 academic year helps to “maintain modern facilities and 24/7 support services.”

The spokesperson also highlighted a “comprehensive review of our residential system” by University officers, University Court representatives, and elected student representatives,” which resulted in changes to accommodation based on “sustainability, fairness, and improved support for those who need it most.”

“The review responds to increasing financial pressures, evolving student needs, and the growth of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in St Andrews,” they wrote. It included what they called “five core workstreams,” consisting of “student experience, pricing and affordability, capacity requirements, services and operating costs, and private sector partnerships.” 

Additionally, the University spokesperson highlighted that a new Residential Review Board consisting of elected Student Association members will oversee any future changes made to accommodation-related decisions.

Third-year student Amelia Beattie told The Saint that she thinks “it's totally unreasonable for the University to charge that much for self-catered accommodation without changes to the accommodation that justify the inflation in price. It only damages the University’s reputation as an elitist institution and makes it less accessible to prospective students who will be priced out of the largest accommodation.”

Beattie added that — “SAAS [Student Awards Agency Scotland, responsible for issuing Scottish student loans] already didn't cover the cost of DRA for me in first year, and I had to supplement my cost of living with a part-time job as all my SAAS [funding the cost of my] accommodation.”

She continued, “I can’t imagine how anyone can afford this. I think that the limited options for payment instalments are already unreasonable, as you can only pay in a max of four instalments. The University is pricing out anyone who can’t afford to drop over £2,000 on rent at a time.”

For the current academic year, the maximum student loan for Scottish students is £8,400 — compared to the rent for DRA at £8,849. This leaves students unable to use their loan towards other living expenses.

Third-year student Millie Tougher, who lived in DRA during her first and second year, expressed a similar attitude towards the increase: “I just think it is really unfair on students who don’t come from wealthy backgrounds to [be expected] [...] to have that amount of money to spend on accommodation [...] It means that St Andrews is going to become even more exclusionary and elitist because no one else will be able to afford to live here.”

The University spokesperson noted that “St Andrews invests over £20 million annually in bursaries and scholarships, and our accommodation bursaries       have more than trebled in recent years. This support follows the student,  enabling access to the full range of       accommodation options.”

The Student Accommodation Award has increased 8.5%, from £1,750 to £1,900, “providing a stronger safety net for those who need it most,” the spokesperson wrote. “We are committed to keeping accommodation accessible for all students.” 

Lower-cost student residence accommodation, like Gannochy House, are also available. Gannochy House, for example, costs £6,246 for a self-catered standard single room. It does, however, have significantly fewer rooms, with 85 single standard rooms compared to DRA, which has 875 rooms.

The University spokesperson wrote:

“At St Andrews, our goal is to provide high-quality and supportive living environments that enhance the student experience. 

• Our rents include energy bills and Wi-Fi, offering excellent value for money. 

• We provide a varied mix of accommodation types and prices, designed to suit different needs and budgets. 

• Our Halls Life team ensures each undergraduate hall of residence has a dedicated live-in team committed to providing a positive and supportive residential experience.

• Halls Life organises events and social activities, offers drop-in sessions, and provides wellbeing support.  

• Increasing numbers of returning students are choosing to stay in halls rather than move to the private sector – a testament to the quality, value, and convenience of our accommodation.”  

Photo Provided By The University of St Andrews