In 2024, the University of York reported a £9 million deficit. In 2025, it now boasts a £9 million surplus. And this exponential increase in liquid assets has been sucked directly out of students’ pockets. This dramatic turnaround has been achieved through cuts to student-facing services and increases in student costs, rather than structural or executive-level changes.
On‑campus accommodation rent costs have increased by an average of 9% since the announcement of increases in 2025. This feels contradictory to the University’s previous commitment to cost‑of‑living support. Can a “cost of living hub” negate the financial strain that these eye-watering rent prices place on students’ shoulders? Our University is named as a ‘University for public good’ – should we not be feeling this positive impact by now? Why do we feel increasingly weighed down with financial worries as young adults navigating true independence for the first time?
In the University’s cost of living report, they recognise that “Money really matters for health and wellbeing. The amount of money that people have, the amount they have relative to other people, and the gap between rich and poor are all incontrovertibly related to both physical and mental health, across the population.” As a community together at York, it is clear that we see this issue as a priority. But a sense of action feels stagnant, no real relief is felt from the student body as accommodation prices continue to rise – an issue that the university has consciously contributed to in 2025 – the same year that their money worries resolved themselves.
This issue is not just campus-focused; the average rent in York has doubled, making the city increasingly unaffordable for students. Despite hosting two major universities, York is evolving into a high‑cost, tourism‑driven city that is progressively out of reach for the average student. Approximately 55% of students here at York juggle part-time jobs along with full-time study just to support general day-to-day living expenses. Valuable study time is compromised, as students spend hours working minimum wage, when they could have been studying for a degree that has already cost them thousands.
During the semester two press conference, Saabs reported that funding for wellbeing services and college support has been reduced. The University currently employs just one housing adviser for 20,000 students, leaving thousands without adequate guidance during a housing crisis.
In November 2025, the Students’ Union launched its ‘Welcome to York: Housing Hell’ campaign. Stating that “the student housing crisis is at breaking point.” After students finish their first year in on-campus accommodation, they are promptly thrust into a new breed of housing horror. On top of this, their pockets are already filled with dust in the wake of the horrendous first year accommodation costs. The student union urged for the council, the University and MPs to take student housing issues seriously. It seems that the simple concept of a place to live is stretching students to the limit.
Financial stability is contributing to increased stress, both academically and generally. In 2025, the University performed well in the National Student survey (NSS). The University themselves proudly published that satisfaction with regards “Student Voice rose to an overall satisfaction rate of 73.7% (up 3.0%.)” – University of York performs strongly in National Student Survey 2025. Do student loans adequately cover the rising costs for students in 2026? The stats say no.