Applying for accommodation

It’s around about now that many universities will invite those who’ve accepted an offer to apply for accommodation. Don’t hang around, though, or you might miss out. Each university will have their own way of dealing with accommodation applications, but here we cover the key things you need to be aware of and consider, no matter what uni you’ve applied to.

Living in uni halls

Of course, living in halls is a popular choice for the majority of students and applying for uni accommodation is next thing to tick off your ‘things to do before starting uni’ list is to apply for accommodation.

Normally when you apply you’re able to state what type of room you want to live in, e.g. en-suite, shared flat, quieter location, accessibility requirements, etc. You’ll also need to check where the halls are located - are they close to your campus and amenities? Importantly, find out what the cost will be as the different options may have different rates for the rent.

Hopefully by now you’ve done your research on which halls you want to apply for at your chosen uni, or even had a look around some at an open day.

As with everything, there are pros and cons to all types of accommodation, so have a good look at what’s available, what suits your personality and the student lifestyle you want to have.

Get your application in

The vast majority of universities will only let you apply for accommodation in their halls if they are your first-choice uni and you’ve accepted an unconditional firm or conditional firm offer to study there. This will normally mean that you have guaranteed accommodation – but you still have to physically apply before the deadline.

Typically, applications are made online. If your chosen uni has made you an offer, you should receive an email with a link and further information on how to apply. If you haven’t received anything, it’s definitely worth checking!

Quite often, rooms will be allocated in the order in which applications are received – so make sure you get in there quickly to stand a better chance of getting the room you want!

Be warned – there will be a deadline for applications! Be sure to check the exact date for your chosen uni.

What happens next?

Again, this can vary from university to university, but once you’ve applied there will be a short wait while the uni allocates the rooms to each applicant.

You’ll then likely be contacted by email so that you can view your allocation. More often than not, you won’t be able to change what you’re offered.

The next step is to secure your accommodation. Quite often, this is by paying a deposit or pre-payment. And you normally only have a few days to accept and confirm your accommodation – so don’t delay!

One thing to note, once you have accepted your accommodation and signed any residency agreement, this forms a legally binding contract. Once this is signed, often the only way you can cancel your room and get any prepayment back is if you are no longer going to be studying at your original chosen uni. If you simply change your mind, it's unlikely to be as straightforward - you may lose your deposit or prepayment, you may still have to pay rent, and you’ll probably have no choice but to live there. The advice here is to always read the smallprint!

What if I miss the deadline or if I make a late application to uni?

If you miss the deadline or make a later application to uni (i.e. through Clearing or if you end up going to your insurance choice), you may not be guaranteed a place in student halls. Again, this can really vary between unis, so be sure to check with the accommodation team.

Don’t panic, though – unis will quite often keep a waiting list so that rooms can be reallocated if and when they become available. Plus, there are plenty of other options available to you, as covered in Choosing student accommodation.

Living in private halls

There is also the option of choosing local student housing managed by companies separate to the university. This will depend on the town or city you’re looking to live in, and you’ll need to look at their terms and conditions for applying for a place to live.

For more tips about how to choose the right accommodation for you check our Choosing student accommodation article.

Alternatives – commuting to uni

Of course you may decide to live at home. Many students do this for a variety of reasons, such as commitments at home, saving on living costs, or they may be quite local so prefer to stay at home. Solent student, Amy shares her experience of commuting to uni.

Also see our Commuter student life article for information on commuting to uni.