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Applying for Undergraduate Accommodation

Find out how to reserve your room.

The final room release for Advanced Booking starts on 22 July. Please read 'Advanced Booking 2025 update' below for helpful tips and key information.

The information and dates below should be used as a guide only. Occasionally, we may need to change things due to unforeseen circumstances. If this happens, and we need to make a change, we'll let you know as soon as possible. Please make sure you monitor your emails and read any updates that we send.

We process all applications in line with our Allocations Policy. For specialist allocation information please refer to this policy.

Advanced Booking 2025 update

Updated: 17 July 2025

We know how important accommodation is, and while not everyone will secure their preferred accommodation, the system is fair and gives all applicants equal opportunity to book. In the end, it’s not just about where you live - it’s about the people you live with and the community you build. Staying open-minded will give you the best chance of a great experience.

Please see below some helpful tips and key information about the next Advanced Booking room release to make sure you know what to expect on the day.

Queueing tips
  • 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
Accommodation Portal tips
  • 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
General advice
  • 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
In case of issues
  • 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

What is advanced booking?

Full year undergraduate applicants use the Advanced Booking method through our Accommodation Portal. This allows you to reserve a room at the point of applying, giving you peace of mind that your accommodation is secured.

You can choose your accommodation and wash type depending on availability. However you won’t be able to select a specific room or flat, nor organise to live with friends.

If you are a mature undergraduate student (aged 25 or over by 1 September 2025), you can still use Advanced Booking, but you will select a room in postgraduate accommodation instead.

Advanced Booking is not available if you require an accessible room or studio (including standard studios) to accommodate a disability or health need. If you need an accessible room or studio, please visit our Applying for Accessible Accommodation page for further guidance.

How to reserve a room

The Accommodation Portal will open at 10:00 (UK time) on 10 June 2025. To apply, you must have made Newcastle your firm choice — please note this can take up to 48 hours to update in the portal, so plan accordingly.

Rooms will be released in three equal batches:

  • 10 June
  • 1 July
  • 22 July

We recommend registering for an accommodation account before rooms are released, so you're ready to log in and reserve a room straight away.

Before applying, research all our accommodation options carefully. We strongly suggest having a few back-up choices in mind so that, if your favourite option is unavailable when you log in, you’ll have alternatives you already know you'd be happy with.

If you see a room you’d be happy to live in - even if it’s not your first choice - we recommend reserving it. You can wait for future room releases, but depending on your queue position, fewer options may be available. 

Once you’ve reserved your room, you won’t be able to make any changes to it - even if a room you prefer is released later. So please consider your choice carefully before making a reservation. 

The portal will remain open from 10 June, and we encourage you to reserve your room by noon on 28 July 2025 to meet the Accommodation Guarantee deadline.


Step 1 – register and log in

To register, you’ll need your UCAS or university reference number. Make sure you use an email address that you check regularly. Avoid using a school or agent's email address as you may miss important emails.

To login, use the nine-digit number you received after registering. Click "Create Application" to start.

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Step 2 - start your application

We'll ask for some information ‘About You’ such as your address and details of a trusted person. You'll then select how you are applying. Only students that are applying as a single student are able use advanced booking. You can choose whether you’d prefer to live in a single or mixed-gender flat. This will determine which accommodation is able to view at the next stage.

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Step 3 – choose your accommodation

You'll then see the accommodation available to reserve. You can use the filters and comparison tools to help you decide which accommodation is best for you.

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Step 4 - reserve your room

Once you select ‘book now’, a confirmation pop up message will appear asking you to confirm that you'd like to reserve that room. Think carefully as you cannot change your mind once you have reserved a room. If you are happy, you can proceed.

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Step 5 - room reserved

Your room is now reserved. You can review your booking from the 'Review Booking' screen.

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What happens next?

If you reserved your room using the Advanced Booking option, you already know your room type and residence. You'll find out your exact flat and room number in your contract. You'll receive your contract after results day and once you've confirmed your place at the University. We'll send you an email letting you know your contract is ready. You'll then have a deadline to accept your contract online.

Please note: If you do not accept your contract by the deadline, your room reservation may be cancelled. Be sure to check your emails regularly and respond promptly to any actions required to secure your accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many rooms are released on each date?

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.

I won’t be available on the first room release date, what should I do?

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.

What if I try to log in after a room release date and all the rooms have gone? What should I do?

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.

How can I ensure I get my first choice accommodation?

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.

I need a specific room due to a disability, can I use the advanced booking option?

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.

I keep encountering errors when trying to use Advanced Booking — what’s going on?

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.

I’m applying as a mature student - can I still have an undergraduate contract length if I reserve postgraduate accommodation?

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.