Applying for Undergraduate Accommodation

• high demand expected - there will be a wait before you can access the application portal. Once you reach the front of the queue, you’ll have 10 minutes to enter, so keep an eye on your screen. If your sound is on, you’ll also hear a notification when it’s your turn
• no need to join early - there’s no advantage to joining hours in advance. The queue is randomly ordered at 10am, so logging in 5–10 minutes before is enough. Anyone arriving after 10am will be redirected to the back of the queue
• join the queue once - logging in multiple times or across devices won’t get you through faster but it slows the system for everyone
• wait times and queue position - anything over an hour will simply say “over an hour” and queue numbers won’t be visible during this release. We may need to temporarily pause the queue. As long as you keep your browser open, you won’t lose your place
• room availability messages - we wont be updating the availability messages in the queue. As this is the final room release, all remaining rooms will be made live
• do not abuse the system - anyone found to be abusing the queue or helping others bypass the system will have their reservation cancelled

• use a stable internet connection - a home broadband connection is best. Try to avoid public WiFi (eg in supermarkets or shopping centres) which can be slow or drop out unexpectedly
• use a desktop or laptop - while the portal does work on mobile, it’s easier to navigate on a larger screen. Some buttons may not display properly on smaller devices, and scrolling can be time-consuming
• if you have previously encountered an error - clear your browser history and cache in advance. Do this before the release as it can help prevent login errors or issues during booking
• use a private/incognito browsing window - this helps avoid any old login data from causing issues and helps ensure you're accessing the most up-to-date version of the site
• don’t use your browser’s back/forward buttons - instead, use the navigation buttons within the portal, usually found at the bottom of the screen
• only log in on one device/browser at a time - if you try to log in on multiple devices (eg you and a parent), you’ll get an error and automatically be logged out

• register for an account - if you haven't already, register for an account on the Accommodation Portal ahead of time
• remain flexible - some accommodation is more popular than others and will sell out very quickly. To secure a guaranteed place, you will need to choose an alternative that is still available, even if it's not your preference
• you don’t have to wait for the next release - there are still rooms available to reserve now
• this is the final release - rooms will remain available until 12 noon (UK time) on 28 July

• we’ll pause the queue to investigate - this is a controlled step, not an indication of system failure
• if an issue can’t be fixed quickly, we’ll close the portal and end the queue
• in case of the above, we’ll switch to a preference-based application process, where you’ll submit three preferences and be allocated a room after A-Level Results Day. We’ll try our best to allocate you a room you’ve chosen but we can’t guarantee this
• you’ll still be covered by the Accommodation Guarantee if you apply before the deadline (12 noon on 28 July), so there’s no need to rush to make the application. Do this at your leisure on an evening or weekend when you have more free time
• if this needs to happen, we’ll keep you informed every step of the way

The majority of our rooms will be released through the Advanced Booking process, giving you a wide range of options to choose from. A small number of rooms are held back for specialist allocations in line with our Allocations Policy, such as specially adapted bedrooms or studios. 

Rooms will be released in three batches, and each batch will include availability across all of our residences, not just one or two locations. We aim to release roughly equal numbers of rooms in each batch to keep things as fair as possible.

Rooms are released in three equal batches on set dates, but they don’t disappear at the end of each release day. Accommodation remains available on the portal until it’s fully reserved.

If you can’t log in on a specific release day, you’ll still be able to reserve from what’s available later. We recommend adding reminders of key dates to your phone or diary so you don’t miss out on any opportunities or deadlines.

In the unlikely event that all rooms are reserved between batches, the website will indicate that there is nothing available to reserve at the moment. Don’t panic - remember, there are three room release dates throughout the application period, so more rooms will become available soon.

Additionally, we offer an Accommodation Guarantee for eligible students, so you can rest assured that you will be offered accommodation if you meet the eligibility criteria.

We understand that everyone has a favourite option in mind, but some accommodation is very popular and may fill up quickly.

To keep the process as fair as possible, we use the Advanced Booking system, which allows you to reserve your own room - putting you in control of your accommodation choice. If your top choice isn’t available when you log in, you’ll still have the chance to choose from your back-up options.

You can also wait for later room release dates to see if your preferred accommodation becomes available. However, there’s no guarantee you’ll secure your first choice, as availability depends on demand and your position in the booking queue.

During room release dates, we also use queuing software on our website to manage demand and ensure everyone has a fair chance when booking opens.

If you require adaptations to your bedroom due to a disability or health need, you’ll use the 'submit an application' route instead of the Advanced Booking option. This ensures that your allocation will be considered by our experienced team, who will work with you to find a suitable room that meets your individual needs.

If you have a disability or health need but do not require adapted accommodation, please use Advanced Booking as usual. After reserving your room, please inform us of any adjustments you need, and we’ll work with you to organise them.

For further guidance on applying for accessible accommodation please visit Applying for Accessible Accommodation.

We use queuing software to keep the website secure and manage high demand. If you're running into issues, try the following steps:

• make sure you're using a stable internet connection and accessing the portal on a desktop PC or laptop (rather than a phone or tablet)
• ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
• avoid logging in on multiple browsers or devices - you can only be logged in on one at a time. Make sure only one person is accessing your account, and always log out when finished
• try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, or use a private/incognito browsing window

If the problem continues, please contact us on 0191 208 3333 and we’ll be happy to help.

Yes, you’ll still receive an undergraduate contract length (typically 40–44 weeks, depending on the accommodation), even if you're living in postgraduate accommodation.

We’ve found that students aged 25 and over often prefer the environment of postgraduate residences, which is why we make this accommodation available to mature undergraduates.