Student leaders have demanded Aberdeen University accommodation charges be halved to stop them being “pushed into poverty”.
Dozens have signed a petition complaining that even the cheapest halls of residence cost more per year than the standard student loan.
It says some face paying 43% more than five years ago – an extra £1,150 annually – putting young people under “huge” financial strain.
But the university insisted its halls were “excellent value for money” and said larger rent rises were restricted to facilities that had enjoyed a “major modernisation”.
The campaign – directed at principal and vice-chancellor Professor Sir Ian Diamond – was set up by Aberdeen University Students’ Association.
Welfare officer Jenny Killin was among national student leaders who refused to judge a property award over complaints high private-sector rents were driving “social cleansing” of less-well-off young people.
She was on a panel which declined to pick a winner in one category of the contest run by Property Week magazine..
They said working class students were being “priced out” and they could not “award a for-profit sector failing so many of our peers”.
The petition – posted on the change.org website – complains that rooms in the Granite City are among the most expensive in the country.
“Students shouldn’t be expected to be pushed into poverty just so they can get an education,” it says of the university-run halls.
Rents should be capped at half the maximum student loan of £6,750 and the cheapest three capped at half the £4,750 standard loan, it suggests.
A university spokesman said it had “invested significantly in our portfolio of accommodation” to provide a wide choice.
“Rental prices for some of our most affordable properties have been reduced or remained the same over the last five years whilst in other buildings there have been slight increases of between £2 – £17 a week.
“The only accommodation that has seen larger increases is due to a major modernisation and redevelopment programme that vastly improved the standard of accommodation.
“Students staying in university halls have access to free wi-fi, leisure facilities and free, modern socialising space, as well as 24/7 management on site which we feel represents excellent value for money in the city.”
