The University of Exeter has offered some students who are due to start in September the option to defer their places until next year, because of a shortage of student accommodation.
The university said it has seen "exceptionally strong demand" from students wanting to study at Exeter this year, alongside "very high demand for accommodation across the city."
A spokesperson said the university is meeting its commitments to students covered by the Accommodation Guarantee, but because of demand this year, it cannot offer university accommodation to some students who are not covered by the guarantee.
The guarantee promises a room to eligible new first-year students who apply by the annual deadline of 31 July, which is just under two weeks before students received their A-Level results on August 13.
The development was first reported by student newspaper The Exeter Tab, which spoke to students affected by the shortage.
One student told The Exeter Tab she believed she only secured a room because she did an International Baccalaureate, which had an earlier results day before the accommodation deadline.
The university spokesperson said: "We recognise how disappointing this will be, and we are contacting affected students directly so they understand the position as early as possible and have time to consider the options available to them."
They said the university is helping students explore private accommodation in Exeter through its accommodation services.
They continued: "Students who live in private accommodation are fully part of the Exeter community, with the same access to teaching, student support, Welcome Week and Students' Guild activities. Students also have the option to defer their studies to next academic year.
"We are looking forward to welcoming our new students in September and will continue to provide practical support to those affected as they prepare to join us."
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