How to book your room

At University of Birmingham we don’t just allocate student rooms: you choose the right room for you, so you feel right at home from day one.

Please note that due to JCQ Embargo we are unable to discuss your accommodation application with you until 9am on Thursday 13^th August. For general accommodation enquiries during this time you can view our knowledge base and our webpages.

Our online booking system allows you to browse all available rooms and secure the one you like best, all from the comfort of your sofa. You can filter by location, room type, catering option, and more.

Ready to start? Here’s what you need to know…

Key updates

Undergraduate students

For those joining us in September 2026, our Guarantee Scheme deadline has now passed.

If you submitted your application by 30 June (UK students) or 31 July (international students), you’re guaranteed the opportunity to book a room with us. All you’ve got to do is wait for us to be in touch on, or just after, A-level Results Day (Thursday 13 August).

As soon as your place at University of Birmingham is confirmed, we’ll let you know by email when and how to book your room through our Accommodation Portal. You’ll then be given a timeslot to complete your booking.

Once you've found the room for you, you will need to secure it by paying a £550 Advance Payment. Alternatively, you can pay for your accommodation fees in full.

The Advance Payment is an initial instalment towards your accommodation fees, not a deposit, which means that it won’t be refunded to you at the end of your contract. You can choose to pay this in full, via Direct Debit to help you spread the cost, or by submitting your sponsorship details (if applicable).

Students who applied for accommodation outside the Guarantee Scheme (30 June for UK students or 31 July for international students) will hear from us from Monday 17 August.

If you have not yet applied, we can still help you find your student home, either on campus or closer to the city centre with one of our trusted accommodation partners.

Postgraduate students

For those joining us in September 2026, our Guarantee Scheme deadline has now passed. You will be able to access the Accommodation Portal and book your room from Monday 17 August. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will remain open until we become fully booked. Once you've found the room for you, you will need to secure it by paying a £550 Advance Payment. Alternatively, you can pay for your accommodation fees in full.

The Advance Payment is an initial instalment towards your accommodation fees, not a deposit, so it won’t be refunded at the end of your contract. You can choose to pay this in full, via Direct Debit to help you spread the cost, or by submitting your sponsorship details (if applicable).

Insurance students

For the 2026-27 academic year, if you had put Birmingham as your Insurance choice but made an application for accommodation by 30 June (UK) or 31 July (International), you will hear from us via email from A-level Results Day with your room booking timeslot and further information on when you can book your room.

If you have not yet applied, we can still help you find your student home, either on campus or closer to the city centre with one of our trusted accommodation partners. You must apply through our Accommodation Portal. Once we've received your application, we will contact you with information on how to book a room in Birmingham.

One semester students

For students who applied by 31st July, we have a dedicated number of rooms available for international students staying with us for just one semester which will be available on a first come first served basis. Student Living will email you with information on when you will get the opportunity to book a room. We will support every student in finding accommodation in Birmingham, so please dont hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Clearing

If you have confirmed a place at University of Birmingham through Clearing, you will receive a unique link to the Accommodation Portal in your acceptance email from our Admissions team. This will allow you to book accommodation with us. We guarantee all students who secure a place with us through Clearing a room within University accommodation or within one of our nominated partners.

Contact us

Booking your university home is an important step in your student journey, and we're here for you every step of the way. The Student Living team is here to support you with any accommodation queries. Get in touch via the Student Living Helpdesk or by calling us between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday on 0121 512 2158.

You can also use our chatbot who may be able to answer your enquiry.

During the very busy period following A-level Results Day we've extended our opening hours.

Thursday 13 and Friday 14 August 8am - 7pm
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 9am - 5pm

After these dates, our contact hours will revert to 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key dates that I need to know?

Accommodation applications for the next academic year will open on 1 December. You can apply as soon as you receive your offer letter from us, but to guarantee your room with us, you’ll need to apply before:

30 June if you’re a UK student
31 July if you’re an international student

So long as you’ve applied by the above dates, you’ll receive an invitation to book your room within five days of A-level Results Day (undergraduates only).

When will I be able to book my room?

If you’re an undergraduate student who has secured a place to study at University of Birmingham, and applied for accommodation by the relevant Guarantee Scheme deadline, you'll receive an invitation room-booking email from the Student Living team on A-level Results Day.

It will include a unique booking timeslot and include details on how to book. Following feedback from students last year, timeslots for Undergraduate Home students will be for Friday 14 August onwards so that you can spend Results Day sharing your news and celebrating. An equal selection of rooms of every type in every Village is made available with each timeslot to make it as fair as possible.

If you don't book within your allocated timeslot, you’ll have another chance to secure a room in Birmingham on Sunday 16 August, either with us or one of our trusted accommodation partners, subject to availability. Students who apply for accommodation outside the Guarantee Scheme will hear from us on Monday 17 August.

Postgraduate student? You can apply and book a room for accommodation, up until 31 July. Bookings will pause for a period of time to enable Undergraduate students to book and will re-open from Monday 17 August.

Will I get a fair chance to book my room?

Yes; every timeslot has the same great selection of room types and locations to choose from. So, don’t worry if you know people that have booked before you – you won’t miss out. There will only be a limited number of students per group too, so everyone has an equal chance to find the right accommodation for them.

You can expect to receive your booking timeslot within five days from A-level Results Day if you're eligible for our Guarantee Scheme. Once you do, you'll have 12 hours to book your room.

What is a student profile?

When you book your room, you’ll have the option to create a student profile. This is a short bio about yourself to share with future flatmates. You’ll also be able to view other students' profiles to help you find like-minded students to live with to enhance your student living experience.

This is completely optional; you don’t need to share any information about yourself if you don’t want to, and you can still book your room without doing so.

I have additional requirements; will this be taken into consideration?

Yes – we want everyone to feel at home at University of Birmingham and get the most from their student experience. That’s why, if you’ve listed your additional preferences or requirements (e.g., accessible accommodation) on your accommodation application, we’ll be in touch to ensure your new home meets your needs.

You will therefore not need to book your room; we’ll work with you to find the best accommodation available.

Can I live in the same flat as my friend?

Our system will randomly generate a timeslot for you to book your room. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that you’ll be able to book the same accommodation as your friend at the same time.

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people when you start with us though, including at exciting student events, and our Event Activators will help you to settle into life in your new home.

Do you have same-sex accommodation?

Yes, we offer a range of mixed sex and single sex flats within all our accommodation buildings. Simply use the filter tool during the booking process to find your desired flat.

Can I find out more about the accommodation?

There are plenty of ways to find out more about life at Birmingham. You can take a 360° virtual tour of our rooms online or see some of our rooms in person at one of our open days.

What options will be available to me on the day?

There are nearly 7,500 rooms to choose from at Birmingham so, while we’re unable to confirm what accommodation will be available to book during your timeslot, we’re confident that you’ll find your ideal home with us.

What if I can’t arrive in the UK before October 19?

If you’ll be joining us after 19 October, please do not book your room; we’ll get in touch closer to the time to discuss your options.

How do I finalise my booking?

When you have found the room that is right for you, a confirmation page will display everything you need to know about your room and your contract. Once you have confirmed and made a £550 advance payment, the room will be secured for your arrival.

For undergraduate students, if you have chosen to stay with one of our partner providers, their team will be in touch within a few days to finalise your booking.

That’s it – You have now secured a room at University of Birmingham. You'll receive further information from us but for now, you can focus on packing and telling your friends about your new home. We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Birmingham Student Living Community.

Need to cancel?

Our cancellation clause can be found under Section B.1 of our terms and conditions.

Follow us on socials

Stay connected by our following us on social media, your go-to place for the latest room booking updates, accommodation news, and helpful tips to help you settle into life at University of Birmingham.