University of Portsmouth named among UK’s top 20 places for new sugar babies as Seeking Arrangement memberships soar ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The institution appears 16th in an annual list of the fastest-growing universities for sign-ups to the US sugar baby website Seeking Arrangement, released on Tuesday.

A total of 83 University of Portsmouth students allegedly joined the website in 2018, taking the total number of Seeking Arrangement sugar babies at the institution to 749.

The company claims sugar babies, who get money from a wealthy man or woman in return for varying degrees of companionship, receive as much as £2,900 per month on average.

It said the figure made it ‘easy to understand’ why students across the country had sought a ‘unique way’ to fund their university education, which can cost £9,250 per year.

But the University of Portsmouth questioned the legitimacy of its sign-up statistics.

A spokeswoman for the institution said: ‘There has been no independent verification of its claims and no suggestion its claims are based on fact.

‘We have a variety of support services available to students and those facing financial or other difficulties.’

Learners at the University of Portsmouth who are struggling for money can apply for a non-repayable grant.

The institution also offers interest-free emergency loans between £100 and £500 and can provide supermarket vouchers to students who urgently need food.

Other sources of help include the Futures Fund, which comprises donations from alumni, the Young Carers’ Bursary for learners with caring responsibilities, and the Standalone Bursary for learners estranged from their parents.

Seeking Arrangement said University of the Arts London topped its list, with 218 sign-ups in 2018 and 845 in total.

The company offered The News the opportunity to speak to a student sugar baby, but has not yet responded to our request.

Any University of Portsmouth student facing financial or other difficulties can access support confidentially by visiting port.ac.uk/students