How To Apply For Student Accommodation For First Year

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Whether you’ve just submitted your UCAS application or are considering applying next year, you might be wondering how first-year student accommodation works. With so many options to choose from, it can feel a little overwhelming… 

UniHomes has put together this guide to help you understand all your options and easily navigate the student accommodation application process. We’ll cover: 

• When to apply for student accommodation?
• How do you apply for student accommodation for your first year?
• Factors to consider when choosing your first-year accommodation

When can you apply for student accommodation? 

Most universities will only let you apply for accommodation after you’ve accepted an offer to study there. Some universities will let you apply if you’ve chosen them as your insurance choice, but most will only let you apply if you’ve chosen them as your firm choice. 

Although you can’t apply until you’ve received and accepted your offer, you can still research all the options available. One of the best ways to get a feel for living in university accommodation is to visit campus - you can visit on an open day, arrange your own tour, or look at a virtual tour online.  

Getting a head-start on your accommodation research is a great idea, so you can apply as soon as applications open. Most universities allocate accommodation on a first-come, first-served basis, and not all universities guarantee that all first-year students will get a place in halls. So, applying as soon as possible is best, especially if you’re set on living in specific halls.   

Most universities will require you to have applied for your accommodation by early August. You’ll need to make sure you’ve applied by this deadline, or you run the risk of missing out on university halls. This isn't the end of the world - you can always opt for private accommodation instead! 

How do you apply for student accommodation for your first year? 

You’ll usually apply online, and the university will ask for your preferences. These might be specific halls of residence, your preferred type of accommodation, and your preferred room type (catered, non-catered, ensuite, etc).  

You might not get your first choice. It all depends on when you apply and the number of other students who apply for your uni accommodation options. 

Factors to consider when choosing your first-year accommodation 

When researching your accommodation options and choosing where to live, you’ll need to consider where you’d like to live and what you can realistically afford on your budget.   

Consider these factors when deciding on which accommodation to apply for: 

Budget 

University accommodation options can vary wildly in budget depending on the size of the rooms, whether they’re ensuite, whether they’re catered, and the location. Before you even start looking, you’ll need to determine what you can afford.  

Add the amount you’ll get from your student loan, any scholarships or bursaries, any money from your parents and guardians, and any money you expect to earn from a part-time job. This is the total amount you’ll have coming in each year and this amount will need to cover your rent and living expenses.  

Location 

Where the accommodation is located can have a huge impact on how much it costs. Accommodation further away from campus or outside the city centre will likely be cheaper. However, you’ll need to factor in transport costs and the time you’ll spend travelling. 

Catered or self-catered accommodation 

When it comes to halls of residence, some universities will offer catered and self-catered options. Although catered accommodation will be more expensive, it does mean that all your meals will be provided, and you won’t have to worry about cooking or washing up. However, self-catered accommodation is usually cheaper (even when you factor in having to buy your own food), and you’ll get complete control over when and what you eat.  

En-suite or shared bathroom 

You’ll need to consider whether you have the budget for an ensuite room and if this is something that’s really important to you. If you don’t mind sharing a bathroom, your rent will be much cheaper, and you’ll have more money to spend on other things.  

Are bills included? 

Almost all university-owned accommodation comes with all bills included, but this is still something you should check.  

Amenities and features  

Some accommodations offer extras like gym membership, cleaning services or insurance. Although choosing accommodation solely based on these added extras is not a good idea, they can help you choose between two similar options.  

Alternatives to university halls  

University halls aren’t your only option - there are also private halls or privately rented student houses. Private halls are pretty similar to university halls, except they’re owned by a private company and aren’t restricted to first-year students.  

Opting for a private student house might be the better option if you want to share with existing friends or you prefer complete control over where you live.  

What about accommodation for your second year? 

Although you’ll likely be in university accommodation for your first year, you’ll most likely want to search for your own privately rented accommodation for your second academic year. This usually means choosing people to live with, finding a place to rent, and getting to grips with paying household bills. It’s an opportunity to start enjoying the real university experience by living completely independently.  

When the time comes, booking your second-year accommodation through UniHomes is the simplest way. We have a comprehensive landlord and letting agent network with all-inclusive student accommodation in cities across the UK! You can easily filter properties by budget, number of bedrooms and location to find the perfect fit for your second year. 

Because all the properties on our site come with all bills included, you won’t have to stress about setting up direct debits, calling utility suppliers or trying to work out how to split the bill payments with your housemates. With us, everything is included in your monthly rent payment – which will be the same price each month! Plus, your water and energy bills are uncapped, giving you peace of mind about the amount you’ll pay.  

Contact us today to learn more about the all-inclusive properties that are available. Or look at the properties for rent to see what’s available in your student city.