DOZENS of students have suffered a difficult start to university life after a multi-million pound development failed to open.

Around 100 international students have flocked to private accommodation agencies in a bid to secure rooms after they were told their pre-paid homes will not be available until next year.

A £67 million development of luxury flats by Vita Student in Partick, Glasgow, failed to open two months ago. It has now emerged doors will not open until September 2017.

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Select Property Group, which owns the Vita Student brand, informed students their accommodation would not be ready until November. It paid for those affected to be housed in hotels until work at the site was complete.

A Glasgow University spokesman said: “Although this involves private accommodation which is totally separate to the university, we would encourage any student who has concerns to immediately contact the University’s Accommodation Office, where we will do all we can to assist in any way possible.”

Select Property Group apologised to those affected.

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A spokesman said: “Regrettably our Vita Student residence at Beith Street was not ready for occupation at the start of the academic year as it did not meet the high standards we expect for customers.

“Students have the ability to extend their stay in their hotel for a reasonable amount of time, they can find alternative accommodation themselves and will receive a refund, or Vita Student will find alternative accommodation for them and move their belongings there.”