Guide to Uni Accommodation
Also known as digs, halls and many other things, student accommodation is the residential area owned by a university and rented out to students. Each uni has different rules and customs, dependant largely on availability, but student accommodation is usually only available to first-year students and those with special access needs. While some of you may want to rent privately or live at home while at uni, student accommodation is often a great option for many students.
So why should I go for student accommodation?
For most people, moving to uni is the first time you'll be living on your own and Student accommodation could be a good half-way house for you. Firstly most of the furniture and white goods (fridge, washing machine etc) will be provided, meaning you don't have to worry about finding it all the summer before you start. Secondly, the rent is usually cheaper than anything you'll find by renting privately, so it will give you time to get settled before you have to go and find a job. Finally, you'll be sharing a flat or house with other students from your year at uni, meaning that you'll be able to make friends and find the people you might want to live with next year.
What are the different types of accommodation?
This depends on what the university has available, but there is usually a variety of accommodation types. Some will be catered, so you won't have to cook your own meals, but you will have to pay more rent. Some will be bigger or smaller, and some may even let you share a room with someone else. Make sure you visit the university's website to find out more about the type of rooms on offer and what you can apply for. Spend some time thinking about which type of accommodation is right for you. Consider things like whether you can afford it, how far it is from uni, how many people you’d be sharing the bathroom and kitchen with and how big your room would be.
How do I apply?
Applications take place online, usually through a student portal. You might have received an email from your university about it, and there will definitely be detailed information on how to apply on their website. If you have any questions that you can't find the answers to, you can always call up and ask!
When can I apply?
The dates and deadlines will vary depending on your university but applications usually open up around March or April. Make sure you read the university's website to find out how they will be deciding who will get which room. If it's first come, first serve, then you will want to apply as soon as possible. If not, then you'll have a bit more time. Don't worry if your grades haven't been announced yet, most unis will allow you to apply as long as you have a conditional offer.
What do I do if I don't get it?
For many unis, there will be more people applying than they have space for. If you don't get a room through student accommodation then there are still plenty of options for you! Firstly, make sure you call up the university to find out if you're on a waiting list, and how likely it is that you'll get a place. Given that people may be applying for accommodation before they've got their grades, there's bound to be a few places opening up after results day. Not only that, but people may change their mind for whatever reason, so it's worth holding out hope. If it looks like you're too far down on the waiting list, or you just don't want to risk it, looking into renting some accommodation elsewhere. Your university will be able to recommend some reputable companies that you can go to. If your university is in a small town, consider looking at accommodation in nearby towns and cities. Just make sure that the commute is reasonable!
Hopefully, this blog post will have clarified a few things for you around student accommodation. Best of luck!