Prices for new Fallowfield student accommodation revealed to cost up to £235 a week

New student accommodation in Fallowfield could cost as much as £235 per week, as revealed by a senior university employee.

In an open meeting for students, the Director of Residential and Sport Services at The University of Manchester revealed the price of rooms in the new Fallowfield Redevelopment.

Held on December 2nd, the meeting also informed students that Oak House and Squirrels Bar will be demolished when this years cohort move out.

The plans estimate 3,300 bed spaces for students and an additional 55 for staff, with 26 disabled accessible rooms.

Explaining more about the redevelopment of the current Fallowfield campus and consult on the future project, the meeting served as a chance for students to ask questions about the redevelopment.

One student attending the meeting voiced concerns about rising prices, asking: “One of the things that hasn’t really been covered so far is rent prices and what would that mean for students? Because I think that affordability is basically the key issue for students… and we’ve had half an hour and not a single mention of it.”

In response, Vicky Ackerley, The Director of Residential and Sport Services at The University of Manchester explained that affordability was an issue in the redevelopment. She said: “You cannot build for the NUS definition of affordability… and we cannot even refurbish at that kind of level.”

In a statement to The Manchester Tab from The University of Manchester, a spokesperson said: “The University of Manchester is committed to providing a diverse range of accommodation and rents across the residential portfolio. There is an established and wide-ranging ladder of rents – including significantly cheaper older ensuite accommodation – and 1,245 non-ensuite bedrooms at Whitworth Park.

“We are also introducing a new accommodation bursary for 2025 – £2,000 will be made available for 100 low income/vulnerable applicants each year, identified through established means testing protocols. To ensure reasonable and competitive rents, the University benchmarks annually against both comparable UK universities and local private sector PBSA offers (purpose-built student accommodation). We are also working closely with Manchester City Council and other local HE institutions to influence the approach to affordability in new build PBSA in Manchester.”