Is there a case for public-owned university accommodation?
A comparison of the French 'Crous' system and the UK private market
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Hello and welcome to The Student Eye, a publication for university students and those interested in higher education across the UK.
This week, we look at the differences between university accommodation in France and the United Kingdom, diving into the Renters’ Rights Bill to evaluate what the impact will be on the student market. We also bring you the top stories from Varsity, Cheese Grater Magazine, and Cherwell.
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A tale of two systems: Comparing French and British university accommodation
By Amelia Gibbins
I will be writing this Substack from a different location than usual until Christmas, given that I have now moved to France for a nerve-wracking study abroad semester. There have been a few culture shocks so far, from getting used to speaking casually to changing up my usual coffee order, as well as the occasional tram strike. However, none have been quite as striking as my university accommodation.
In France, the Centre régional des œuvres universitaires et scolaires - ‘Les Crous’ for short - offers low rent accommodation which prioritises students on scholarships. It is publicly owned, like many universities in France, and was founded in 1955. As the name suggests, it is managed region-by-region, and offers food and accommodation below-market-price.
A single room with an ensuite will set you back around €250 per month, and a meal in a Crous ‘resto’ costs €3.30, or €1 for those on scholarships. However, in January, the National Assembly voted in favour of standardising the €1 meal cost for all students. This has not come into place for the current academic year, though the changes were originally proposed since 36 per cent of students had admitted to skipping meals because of money concerns.
Though the accommodation can be slightly out of the city centre, the wonders of French public transport - which is completely free for students in Montpellier - means it is usually well-placed in relation to universities. The accommodation sites are large, often housing upwards of 650 students, but there are considerable disparities in the quality of the amenities available, as well as the convenience of the location.
Competition to be housed in a Crous logement is fierce. I was fortunate enough to be offered my room as an exchange student, but for domestic French undergraduates, the demand outweighs the supply of rooms. I had no choice over the price or location of my accommodation, but for those who do, they are often let down by the lack of supply.
A survey by The Class Foundation found that only 67 per cent of French students were allocated the accommodation that they wanted, considerably lower than the EU figure of 75 per cent. Of the French students that did not receive their preferred accommodation, 57 per cent put this down to the lack of availability of rooms.
The same survey found that accommodation was a major force in the mental health of French students. Students who received their first choice scored higher in quality of life metrics than those who did not get their first choice. Those in student residences were happier on average than those in other types of housing, though.
Evidently, where a student lives at university plays a huge role in shaping their experience, ensuring happiness and conviviality. A system that is designed to level the playing field, providing accommodation at discounted rates, should really be doing that with the aim of increasing overall satisfaction and allowing for students to exercise their autonomy by being able to choose accommodation with a success rate in line with the rest of Europe, if not higher. After all, it has been shown that accommodation is a huge player in student wellbeing and mental health.
If France is after a solution, they won’t find it across the Channel
The United Kingdom has certainly not been a role model in the university accommodation sector. Horror stories of mouldy houses, rat-infested living spaces, nightmare landlords, and extortionate rent prices have plagued the media perception of the market.
Usually, first-year undergraduates live in university residences, which are on-site or in a student village setting. After first-year, there are two other housing options (other than living at home): private-sector purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), and student houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
A 2020 HEPI report on student accommodation in the UK points out that in reality, the question of who provides PBSA is irrelevant, as they just expect consistency of service and approach. The report argues that students should expect private providers and universities to communicate effectively, but “the regulatory framework inherent in university governance structures and the Board-driven machinery of a for-profit venture are worlds apart”.
In October 2024, Education Minister Janet Daby said that the Department for Education was “working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to promote the importance of a strategic approach to meeting student housing needs to providers and local authorities”.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, still in the ping-pong stage, would shake up the UK student accommodation market considerably. The bill, tabled by Angela Rayner, would put a stop to “no fault” evictions and give tenants more security and stability, with exemptions in place that are designed to suit the student sector.
Under the reforms, fixed-term contracts would be replaced with rolling tenancies, giving students more flexibility but also making it harder for landlords to plan around the academic year. Housing groups warn that this could reduce the number of properties available at the start of term, particularly one- and two-bedroom homes, which make up nearly a third of student lets.
There are also concerns that limits on advance rent payments could make it more difficult for international students without UK guarantors to secure housing. While the Bill aims to strengthen protections for tenants, the student market may face higher rents, tighter supply, and greater uncertainty as landlords adjust to the new system.
As a 2024 HEPI report explains, reflecting on the proposed Bill, landlords regaining possession of student housing must give four months’ notice, which must fall between 1st June and 30th September. They must also have made tenants aware of this at the start of the tenancy, and must re-let the property to students. Unlike the earlier Renters (Reform) Bill, which allowed repossession for any student-only tenancy, Rayner’s version restricts this to HMOs, meaning that properties with fewer than three occupants are excluded.
It has been argued this may end up driving one and two bedroom student lets out of the market, as landlords may instead rent them to professionals on year-round contracts. A second ground allows universities to regain possession of accommodation let to non-students during holidays with just two weeks’ notice, ensuring rooms are available for incoming students.
The proposed repossession reform may suit a large bracket of the student market, but its timing does not necessarily accommodate students starting in January or those who need housing through the summer, making these groups less appealing to landlords.
While some landlords are apprehensive that students may refuse to leave at the end of a tenancy, precedent shows that most do move on naturally when their course ends or they find alternative housing. For the minority who stay a second year, tenancies can simply roll over, with any rent increases requiring two months’ notice. However, the bill’s explanatory notes suggest landlords may still need to end and reissue tenancies to preserve repossession rights, even though fixed-term contracts are being abolished, which may need further clarification.
From across the Channel, it is apparent that France has built a system that aligns student housing with the needs of its universities. It is affordable, accessible, and largely predictable. By contrast, the UK is gearing up for greater regulation in an attempt to provide more security and stability for tenants. For many universities, this regulatory approach may suit their operational needs, much as France’s centralised system suits theirs.
The reforms, while welcome, will never go far enough - it is in their nature as ‘reforms’. Without a more fundamental overhaul, the UK risks leaving its poorest students trapped in high-cost, low-quality housing, falling into debt or settling for substandard conditions. To truly serve students and ensure that higher education is not just a privilege for those who can afford it, the market needs a baseline of affordable, decent accommodation that every student can access.
I would argue that the UK is finally heading in the right direction with regards to student renters. Angela Rayner has at least put the student rental market on the radar, forcing landlords, universities, and politicians to tackle the chaos that has long defined it. Thanks to Rayner, with a legacy to be proud of, the UK is pushing towards a system that genuinely gives students their own stake in the rental market.
Around the country
Each week, we bring you a selection of our favourite stories from student publications around the UK.
Cambridge students form new left-wing society in criticism of Labour Club
Students at the University of Cambridge have established a new left-wing political group, the University of Cambridge Left Society (UCLS).Unlike other new left-wing groups at Manchester, Newcastle and Warwick, UCLS has not aligned itself with Your Party, the new political party launched by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana in July. Those societies recently disaffiliated from the national Labour Party and urged students nationwide to join Your Party. Varsity reports.
UCL worst impacted by proposed international student tax, data reveals
Cheese Grater at UCL report that the University is set to face the highest tax bill out of all UK Universities if the government’s proposed levy on international fees comes into practice. The data highlighted UCL’s dependence on international students, with 79% of the university’s tuition fee income coming from international students, the highest in the UK.
Gazan offer holders ‘relieved’ as government approves visas
Oxford University offer holders living in Gaza have told Cherwell that they feel “a deep sense of relief and hope” after the UK Government announced plans to approve visas for around 40 university-funded students living in the Gaza Strip. These students include Gazans holding offers for the Chevening scheme, a predominantly government-funded programme for graduate students.
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Publicly owned or not? A very interesting question. Thanks for exploring the issues around this.