More UHI accommodation in Inverness, Elgin and Dornoch
Just in time for the 2017-18 term, a ÂŁ16.3m project is set to deliver 230 rooms for students
Last updated 1st Aug 2017
Work on the latest phase of University of the Highlands and Islands’ student accommodation is nearing completion, with new residences due to open in Elgin, Dornoch and Inverness this month.
The university has been working with a developer on the ÂŁ16.3m project to build accommodation close to Moray College UHI, North Highland College UHI and the Inverness College UHI campuses.
The Elgin facility on Alba Road and the Dornoch facility on Shore Road will each provide accommodation for 40 students. The Inverness development, next to existing residences on Inverness Campus, will provide space for a further 150 students. Students will stay in en-suite rooms with private or shared cooking facilities and will have access to Wi-Fi, cycle storage, laundry services and a support service.
An en-suite single room is ÂŁ126 a week and the rate for a en-suite studio is ÂŁ161.28 a week.
The developments are part of the university’s wider project to build and operate residences around the Highlands and Islands. The first phase saw a 40-bed facility open at West Highland College UHI in Fort William and a 150-bed facility open at Inverness Campus in summer 2016.
Speaking about the new development, Fiona Larg, the university’s chief operating officer believes it can help enhance the UHI as a global academic centre: “We are in the process of trying to attract students from other parts of Scotland, the UK and international students, at the moment our recruitment is very biased towards local recruitment”
"We've benchmarked the rental against other student accommodation across Scotland and this comes out very favourably"
"We're on time and on budget for the new term which is really important, because if we missed the start of 2017-18, we effectively lose a year. No one wants to enter temporary accommodation only to have to move again mid-term.
The Inverness and Elgin residences are being constructed by Robertson Northern, while O’Brien Construction Ltd is building the Dornoch facility.