An increasing number of international students attending universities in London are struggling to find affordable housing. With rising numbers of foreign students attending universities in London, some institutions are now home to more international students than UK ones. While the government has worked to increase the number of international students, foreign students have found it increasingly difficult to secure secure accommodation. Complications with references and pay slips, as well as the high cost of fees, mean that some international students have to resort to accommodation that is unsuitable or with no contract, risking financial exploitation and homelessness.
Nazmush Shahadat, who arrived from Bangladesh to study law, shares a story of living in a two-bedroom flat with 20 other men, with a cramped space, multiple bunk beds and workers coming and going. He recounts not wanting to video call his family in order to hide his living conditions, saying that “things turned dark really soon”. Several international students have also turned to living with friends, sharing rooms and paying large amounts of money upfront for a place to live. Giulia Tortoricei, an Italian film student, faced difficulties when she moved to London without having a place to stay and had to rely on friends for a month before finding a flat.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has called for rent controls for students, stating that universities are recruiting more foreign students for the high fees they pay, but doing so with little consideration for the local housing stock. Unipol, a student charity, also noted the need for more affordable accommodation for international students, who are vulnerable to financial exploitation and face homelessness. CEO Martin Blakey stated that as a result of the high cost of temporary accommodation, significant numbers of international students may have to resort to food banks and potentially even return home.
While universities maintain that they are working to ease the pressures of the housing market and support students as best as possible, the issue remains a significant barrier for many international students who seek to study in London. A Department for Education spokesperson has urged universities and accommodation providers to consider the accommodation needs of foreign students
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