Applying for Undergraduate Accommodation

• due to anticipated high demand, 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 please keep an eye on your screen. If your sound is on, it will also notify you when you are at the front of the queue

• please only join the queue once. Joining multiple times won’t help you get through faster - it just slows the queue down for everyone

• there’s no advantage to joining the pre-queue really early - the students waiting will be randomly ordered at 10am. Any student arriving after 10am will be redirected to the back of the queue

• we can’t display exact wait times - anything over an hour will simply say “over an hour”

• this time, we won’t be showing queue numbers as they weren’t accurate due to some users having multiple sessions

• if something goes wrong, we may need to pause the queue temporarily. You won’t lose your place as long as you keep your browser open. We’ll keep you updated if this happens

• please use a stable internet connection - try to avoid public WiFi (e.g. in supermarkets or shopping centres)

• the application works best on a PC or desktop. It does work on mobile, but the scroll can be long and some buttons may be less responsive. It’s best to do it from the comfort of home if you can!

• 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

• open the portal in a private/incognito browsing window - this helps avoid any old login data from causing issues

• 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

• if you haven’t already, register for an account on the Accommodation Portal ahead of time

• research your top preferences and have some backups in mind

• remember, rooms are released in three batches, and this is only the second. The final batch will go live on 22 July, so don’t panic if you’re not successful this time

• please be aware some accommodation is very popular, so rooms may sell out before your turn. You can either try again on the third and final release, or choose a suitable alternative now

• to be covered by the Accommodation Guarantee, make sure you book by 12 noon on 28 July. And remember, the guarantee is of a room within our accommodation portfolio, not necessarily one of your preferred options

• 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.