University of St Andrews Rent Guarantor Scheme - Information for applicants and students

Am I eligible for the pilot scheme?

• For 2026 entry, the following categories of entrants and students are eligible to apply:
  • postgraduate students with overseas fee status who are starting a Taught Postgraduate programme in September 2026
  • applicants or students who are verified as care-experienced or estranged from their families at any study level
• You must have evidence of the ability to pay your rent for the duration of the guarantee
• You must have no outstanding debts to the University
• If you are a returning student, you must be progressing academically through your studies and be expected to progress to the next academic year
• If you are a returning student, you must be able to provide a satisfactory accommodation reference from the University’s Student Accommodation Services or a private landlord
• Your landlord must accept the terms and conditions on which the University will provide the guarantee. The University will not provide a guarantee in any way other than as set out in the Student Rent Guarantor Scheme Policy. 

What does the guarantee cover?

• The guarantee applies only to the successful applicant's share of the rent, with a current limit of £1,200 per calendar month.
• The guarantee covers rent only and does not cover bills or damages.
• For shared or multiple tenancies, the scheme covers only the individual applicant’s share of the rent.
• For ‘joint and several’ liability contracts, all named tenants must be eligible and have successfully applied to the scheme.
• The guarantee lasts for a period of up to 12 months, depending on your study period.
• The guarantee is only applicable during your term dates.
• If you are remaining in the property beyond 12 months, you will need to re-apply to the scheme.

How does this scheme work?

Under this scheme, you will pay your rent directly to your landlord or agent in line with the terms of your tenancy contract. If you become unable to pay your rent and you need the University to pay your rent under this scheme, you should notify the Scholarships Team at scholarshipsandfunding@st-andrews.ac.uk providing details of the non-payment, the reason for non-payment, the outstanding amount and the due date, so that arrangements can be made to pay the rent on your behalf.

Landlords should also notify the Scholarships Team at scholarshipsandfunding@st-andrews.ac.uk if the rent is in arrears for one month. Please note that landlords are expected to request rent payment from students before contacting the University.

If a lease contains a ‘joint and several liability’ clause, all tenants must successfully apply to the Accommodation Guarantor Scheme for the University to act as guarantor.   

If the University of St Andrews is required to pay rent on your behalf, the University will invoice you and the debt will be added to your University account.  

Please note that in line with the Failure to Pay policy, students are not normally eligible to matriculate for the following year of study, or to graduate, if they have any outstanding debts to the University.

If you decide to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the University during the period that the University is acting as guarantor, the University will withdraw this guarantee.

The University will inform the landlord or letting agent that it is withdrawing the guarantee from the date that you stop being a registered student, and you will no longer be covered by this guarantee.

How do I apply?

You should read the University of St Andrews Rent Guarantor Scheme webpage and apply using the University Rent Guarantor Scheme Application Form. 

You will need to submit the following supporting documentation with your application:

• evidence that you have sufficient funds to pay your rent, for example, a student loan letter, scholarship award letter, or bank statements for the last three months from you or your parents
• a reference from a private landlord, if applicable for returning students
• a copy of the proposed lease, including the prospective tenant’s details and property information

Once your application has been submitted, we will assess your eligibility against the published criteria. Where appropriate, we may also request a reference from the University’s Student Accommodation Service.

If your application is complete and you meet the eligibility requirements, the Scholarships Team will issue an approval letter, normally within 10 working days. If any information is missing, we will contact you, and you should provide this promptly to avoid delays.

Upon receipt of the approval letter, you will have one month to secure a property under the scheme. This period may be extended at the discretion of the University.

Once you have secured a property, you must notify the Scholarships Team at scholarshipsandfunding@st-andrews.ac.uk and submit a signed lease or tenancy agreement for review.

Following completion and verification of all documentation, the University will issue a formal letter to the relevant landlord or letting agent confirming that it will act as guarantor for rent only, for the agreed period of up to 12 months.

What is the appeals process if my application is unsuccessful?

Applications may be rejected because you do not meet the eligibility criteria, or if you have not provided the correct supporting documentation.

If you feel that the University has unfairly rejected your application, you can request a review by emailing the Academic Registrar at registrar@st-andrews.ac.uk within 10 working days of the decision. They will normally consider your request within 10 working days. Their decision is final.

If your appeal is not upheld then the University will not act as a guarantor, and you will need to make other arrangements. You may wish to apply to University accommodation, you may choose to use a private guarantor company, or you may wish to consider deferring your place whilst you investigate options. Advice and support is available from Student Services and Academic Registry on options.