Students coming to term with high costs

A NEW term has begun and Plymouth students are streaming back into the city - but the high cost of living is on their minds.

- By KATIE OBORN

Yesterday morning, a queue formed on North Hill as young people waited to pick up keys for their new accommodation via Clever Lets.

Numbers of foreign students have 'drastically dropped' as a new government ruling rolls out visa changes for those wishing to study in the UK from abroad. However, hundreds of students and freshers will flow into the city this week with pubs, bars and nightclubs set to come to life. However, the cost of living is having an effect on these young people with many saying it’s the 'main issue' they are currently facing.

Despite general high costs, the students 'love' Plymouth describing it as a 'calm and safe' city - and some said it's a cheaper place to study than many other areas.

Clever Lets have 2,000 bedrooms across the city for students with rent at £170 a week - and chief executive of the company, Derek Richardson has squashed the idea that there are 'too many' student homes.

He explained: “There are about 24,000 students in Plymouth, but only 6,000 PBSAs (purpose built student accommodations). If there were more PBSAs it would free up other housing for families.

“People seem to have the perception that there is too much student housing, but I think landlords would put some properties back for general rent if there were more PBSAs in the city.”