How can I apply for Accommodation?

Simply go to our Apply online page. You’ll need your University of Birmingham student ID number – it’s at the top of the offer letter sent to you within your offer pack. You can apply as soon as you receive an offer pack and remember, rooms are allocated randomly through our automated allocation process, to ensure that offers of accommodation are as fair as possible. Please don’t sign up with your school email address as this account is usually shut down once you leave school. Please make sure you check your junk folder as our emails may inadvertently end up there.

You will then need to select ‘Application/Offer’ and choose from a list of options of which type of student you are. What student type should I select?

01) Undergraduate – New Student - If you are a new Undergraduate student who wishes to live in University accommodation, or are coming on an International Exchange, Study Abroad or Erasmus programme.

02) Undergraduate - Returner - If you are a current Undergraduate student who wishes to live in University accommodation in your second or subsequent years.

03) Postgraduate - New Student - If you are a new Postgraduate student who wishes to live in University accommodation.

04) Postgraduate - Returner - If you are a Postgraduate student and you wish to live in to University accommodation for your second or subsequent years of your Postgraduate studies.

05) Presessional Students - If you are a Presessional student, then select your specific course length in the sub category section. This selection process is the same whether you intend to undertake an Undergraduate or Postgraduate course after your Presessional course. Please note that you will need to apply for your Undergraduate or Postgraduate accommodation as a separate application (using the appropriate category above).

06) Birmingham International Academy Under 18 - If you will be under the age of 18 when your contract starts and are part of the BIA (Birmingham International Academy) process. Any other under 18 year old must select the '01) Undergraduate - New Student' option

What are the deadlines for applying for accommodation? 

The deadline for UK and EU undergraduates is 31 May 2018.

The deadline for international undergraduates and postgraduates is 31 July 2018. For more information please visit the Guarantee Schemes page. 

How can I find out my ID number if I’ve lost my pack / not received my pack yet? 

You can contact Admissions on admissions@bham.ac.uk or +44 (0) 121 415 8900 if you haven’t received your pack. If you’ve lost your pack we can provide you with the information if you give us your full name and date of birth.

What do I do if I’ve forgotten my PIN? 

You need to enter your student ID number and select ‘get PIN’. This will generate a password and email it to the email address you have registered with the University.

What should I do if I need to change my email address?

You need to email admissions@bham.ac.uk with your student ID number and request to change it. Unfortunately, we are unable to make permanent changes to your personal details.

I have chosen Birmingham as my insurance choice. Should I still apply for accommodation? 

Yes. Although a place isn’t guaranteed to insurance candidates, we try to house as many as possible so we’ll need your accommodation preferences to do this. If we are unable to accommodate you, we will help you to find accommodation in the private sector, either through one of our partner providers, or in private housing.

I am an Exchange/Study Abroad/Erasmus student coming to Birmingham. Can I still apply for accommodation?

Yes. We can guarantee accommodation to Exchange and Study Abroad students from outside the EU who apply before July 31, regardless of whether you are here for a full year or only one semester. If you are only studying at the University of Birmingham for one semester, you will not be able to live in one of our partner accommodation sites.

Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee accommodation to Erasmus students ; however you can still apply for accommodation, however we will only be able to consider your application in late August.

If you are intending to study at the University for one semester only, then please view our Private Sector webpages for further guidance.

What’s included in the fee?

The accommodation fee includes all utility bills, internet access, telephone calls from your room to other rooms in the University and basic room insurance. If you’re allocated a Meal Plan room, you’ll also receive a weekly budget loaded onto your ID card which you can spend at the Hub and lots of other catering outlets on campus. Take a look at the Essential Information page. 

Presessional students on the 10, 6 and 4 week course will also receive bedding in your room and the use of crockery and cutlery in the kitchen as part of the fee.

Can I apply for accommodation for just one term? 

You’re welcome to apply but priority will be given to students applying for accommodation for the full year. 

Do I have to pay a deposit?

Once you receive your offer of accommodation you’ll need to make a pre-payment of £550 to secure the room within four days of receiving your offer. This is not a deposit but a pre-payment that’s then deducted from the balance owing for your accommodation fee. Once you have made this payment you won’t need to pay anything else until you arrive. 

When are the payments due? 

Please see the Payments website for our monthly and termly payment dates.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. You can either pay in three termly instalments, or arrange a direct debit to pay your fee in 8 instalments over your contract period.

Is there a discount for paying in full?

No.

How far is the accommodation from the University? 

All University-owned accommodation is within a 15-20 minute walk of the campus. For students wishing to use public transport, there are regular bus services (numbers 98 & 99) which run from the city centre past Liberty Gardens and the Vale Village to the Edgbaston campus.  Further information on routes, timetables and fares can be found on the  National Express West Midlands website. 

Liberty Gardens and Liberty Close residents also have the option of a regular train service from the nearby Five Ways station into University station. Further information on routes, timetables and fares can be found on the  National Rail website.    

Do I need to bring my car with me to University?

Most Birmingham students find they don’t need a car. There are great transport links from Selly Oak to Birmingham and the surrounding areas, and if you’re living in University accommodation, it’s all just a short walk away from the campus. Buses regularly run in and out of the city centre and we even have our own train station which takes you to the city’s main station at Birmingham New Street.

Parking is sometimes a challenge in the local area during term time, particularly in Selly Oak where it can be difficult to get a space. So please do think carefully about whether you really need to bring your car this term, and don’t forget the added environmental benefits of using public transport

If you do need to bring a car, please make sure you’re considerate of your neighbours and don’t park your car outside local schools, which is extremely dangerous. Cars parked haphazardly in an attempt to squeeze in closer to properties can also be dangerous, particularly when cars are parked on pavements causing people to step out into the road.

Can I park at University accommodation?

We have a very limited number of parking spaces at our accommodation sites so we prefer you not to bring your own vehicle.

• Selly Oak Village
  No parking is allowed except for blue badge holders who require a mobility parking space by prior arrangement with reception.
• The Vale Village and Pritchatts Park Village
  There are mobility parking spaces for blue badge permit holders, as well as a limited number of parking spaces which are allocated according to a needs basis.

Will I need a parking permit?

A limited number of parking spaces and permits are available at Pritchatts Park and The Vale from reception and are distributed based on need. There is a total charge of £290 (for 42 weeks) for these at the Vale & Pritchatts Park. A permit is £105 for the autumn and spring terms, and £80 for the summer term.

Visitor parking permits are available; please contact reception on arrival for more details.

What happens if I park without a permit?

We currently work with First Parking, a parking enforcement agency, to control unauthorised parking. Please note that any cars parked without displaying an appropriate permit or with a permit but parked in a restricted area will be subject to a penalty charge, currently £60, with escalating charges for late payment.

Take a look at our Parking and local transport page for answers to all questions about parking at University accommodation.

Can I buy food on campus if I have a Meal Plan? 

Yes. The main food outlets are in University Centre but you can also use Meal Plan at Starbucks in Muirhead Tower and at the smaller outlets in each department - these are only open from Monday to Friday. The Hub runs a brunch service on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Can I cancel my Meal Plan? 

No, the Meal Plan is contracted onto your room so it can’t be taken off. If you no longer want the Meal Plan you’ll need to apply to transfer to self-catered accommodation in October.

If I have a disability will this be taken into consideration when I apply for accommodation? 

Yes, we always take into consideration any disability or medical issue you may have. We often require a referral from the Disability Support team to confirm this so please contact them at www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/disability or telephone +44(0)121 414 5130. Alternatively, you can provide a doctor's note which details your condition and what this means for your accommodation needs. We have a number of adapted rooms for people with wheelchairs, hearing impairments and visual impairments. You can also visit our pages on the Disabled Go site for more information on the adapted rooms in our accommodation. 

I’ve heard that you hold a Taster Stays for students with disabilities and additional requirements. Can you tell me more about this? 

So that you can experience our accommodation first hand before you start your course, we offer Taster Stays where you spend a few hours or stay overnight during the summer in our Vale Village. More information is available on our Students with disabilities page.

Inclusive Living

We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive living environment, where equality is promoted and diversity is valued. If you have any specific accommodation needs, please get in touch.

Starting university is an exciting time for any new student but it can also be a period of uncertainty. If you are a parent or carer it can be a challenging experience for you too. At the University of Birmingham we value your vital supporting role and welcome you as part of the University community.

Student education and welfare is of utmost importance to us and we can assure you that our duty is to our students. Students here at the University of Birmingham have access to a wide-ranging network of support services for both academic and non-academic issues. There are also processes in place to identify a student who may need support and can then be referred to the relevant service.

If you have a concern about your son or daughter, in the interests of respecting student privacy we are unfortunately unable to discuss these concerns with you without your son/daughter’s permission, by way of Disclosure of Information. We appreciate that this can be frustrating, particularly if it relates to their accommodation account and you are paying the fees, however this is legal requirement (1998 Data Protection Act) and University policy prohibits the disclosure of an individual's information. There are only certain situations in which this may not apply, and is dealt with in respect to the University’s duty of care.

What can I do if I am concerned?

The University will take your concerns seriously. Whilst we cannot discuss a student’s situation or circumstances with you (without their permission), including giving confirmation of whether they are attending the University, we can contact the student and offer appropriate help. It is then the student’s responsibility as to whether they choose to take advantage of that support and advice.

We would advise you to explore the full set of Undergraduate Pages for detailed information on studying and living here, but this section details the key points in regards to Accommodation and Community Living.

What is the accommodation application process?

All accommodation is allocated randomly through our automated allocation process, to ensure that offers of accommodation are as fair as possible. Some accommodation is inevitably more popular than others, which means we can’t always guarantee you will get your preferences.

The University guarantees accommodation in University owned or our partner accommodation, which is privately owned, to students who meet certain criteria under the Fresher’s Guarantee. Among other criteria, to be eligible for this Guarantee students must apply for accommodation by:

UK and EU Students (Undergraduate Only) – 31 May 2018

International Students (Undergraduate and Postgraduate) – 31 July 2018

For more information please visit our Guarantee Schemes page.

What University accommodation is available?

We offer a wide variety of accommodation over a number of villages. They range between:

• single study bedroom accommodation based in cluster flats sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities

• en-suite accommodation, where each bedroom has its own bathroom but flats share kitchen facilities 

• studios and apartments, where residents have exclusive use of a kitchen and bathroom

Our detailed guide to accommodation is available to download. This includes a useful summary with prices and accommodation map.

We offer both self-catered and catered accommodation whereby the student signs a contract to take up Meal Plan, which is provided at the Vale Village.

For all you need to know about living here at the University Birmingham you may wish to take a look at our Living With Us page, where you will find information including paying fees, welfare support, code of practice and what you get for your money.

Can my son or daughter rent accommodation privately?

Students have access to the free service of Birmingham Student Pad the official University of Birmingham student accommodation search engine. This service is run alongside Living (Accommodation Services) and allows the user to search for all types of short or long-term accommodation. We have properties available within close proximity to the university, comprising of rooms, house shares, self-contained flats and houses for couples or families. Living holds copies of Landlords Gas Safety Certificates, Electrical Safety Certificates, HMO Licences, Tenancy Deposit Scheme details and EPC (Energy Performance Certificates) on all properties where applicable. Properties will only be advertised if the relevant certificates have been presented. ALL landlords/agents are MLAS (Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme) accredited and we can therefore guarantee at least a minimum set of accommodation standards.

What is the best advice for visiting Birmingham?

If you are visiting your son/daughter at University we recommend staying with University of Birmingham | Conferences and events. Conferences and events is part of the University’s Hospitality and Accommodation Services and located at The Conference Park, having 106 en-suite bedrooms available year round, with prices starting from £40 per night, and is the closest bed and breakfast accommodation to the University accommodation villages and campus itself.

What if my son or daughter has concerns with their flatmates?

If your son or daughter is having issues with flatmates, whether it is due to personality or lifestyle differences, their first port of call would be their Village Reception, as site management may be able to assist. We also have the Student Mentor Scheme who can offer mediation to resolve these issues.

Should issues persist, Living can help if your son/daughter would like to move accommodation. This would be by way of transfer.

What about flat maintenance?

If there are maintenance issues these should be reported to the appropriate Village Reception promptly with your son/daughter providing as much information as possible to ensure that it is dealt with accordingly. Maintenance requests are graded according to their priority.

What if my son or daughter gets into financial difficulties 

At The University of Birmingham we provide a free professional advice service to all of our students which deal with issues from student funding to complex debt problems.

What if I have other questions?

We hope this gives you the vital information you require on accommodation available to your son/daughter. If you should have any further queries then please do not hesitate to contact Living via email living@contacts.bham.ac.uk or 0121 414 8000. Living is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (from 10am Tuesdays).

Where can I find information about accommodation in the private sector? 

You can find a list of landlords who advertise with the University on our Student Pad website at www.birminghamstudentpad.co.uk. We recommend that you don’t sign any contract or make any payment for accommodation in the private sector before you arrive. Alternatively if you have a query please contact us at living@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Living has partnered with Guild Lettings, the Guild of Students' lettings service, to ensure that we can meet all our student needs and support them with looking for accommodation in the private sector in the local area of Selly Oak. For more information on Guild Lettings please see www.guildlettingsbirmingham.co.uk 

What areas are close to the University? 

Please take a look at the Birmingham Student Pad site for more information on the areas surrounding the University. Most students live in Selly Oak, Harborne or Edgbaston.

I have a room available in the private sector, can I advertise it? 

Yes, you can advertise it on the Birmingham Student Pad message board. But we will need to see the gas safety certificate which your landlord should be able to provide. 

I still haven’t got my deposit back, what can I do?

All deposits should be covered by deposit protection schemes. You’ll need to contact the relevant scheme and they can tell more. Your landlord or letting agent will be able to tell you which scheme your deposit was protected with. If you need any more advice please call into the Living shop in University Centre. 

My deposit hasn’t been returned in full. Can I dispute this? 

Yes, the deposit protection schemes all have dispute services where all issues can be resolved. 

Where do I find the council tax exemption form? 

You’ll find this at our Academic Services council tax page. Make sure you’ve registered your term-time address on the my.bham portal. 

I need short-term accommodation, can you help? 

It depends if we have any vacancies at the time you need, but we’ll do everything we can to source accommodation for you. We can also provide information on local guest houses and hotels. 

Can you check my contract for me before I sign it? 

Yes, we recommend that you bring your contract in to be checked even if it’s from a reputable company. We’ll be able to point out any important information about charges, what’s expected of you as a tenant and what rights you have regarding your landlord. We do recommend that you always view the property before you sign a contract. 

If I have an issue with my landlord what do I do? 

When sorting out any issues yourself, make sure you put any requests/complaints in writing to your landlord. If you continue to have problems please come to the Living shop in University Centre and we can help you further. 

I’m a landlord – how do I advertise my property to students? 

First, you need to have been accredited by the Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS). Second, your property needs to have up-to-date gas and electric safety certificates and an energy performance certificate. Once these have been done you can advertise on www.birminghamstudentpad.co.uk. Details of charges and more information about the MLAS course can also be found at the Midlands Landlord Accreditation Scheme site.

Can I apply to stay in student accommodation for my second, third, fourth or fifth year? 

Applications to return to University accommodation open on 1^st December 2017 and will close on 14th January 2018. Places are extremely limited and we encourage students to consider all of their options for next year.

Will I be living with other returning students? 

Where possible we try to place returning students together. 

When can I move in? 

All contracts for academic year 2018/19 start on 24th September 2018.

What happens once I have returned my contract and pre-payment for University accommodation? 

Once you have received your email confirming this, your room is reserved for you and your pre-payment credited towards your residence fees.

What happens if I change my mind? 

If you change your mind before you’ve signed and paid, just inform Accommodation Services and your application will be cancelled. There is a seven day cooling off period and you can cancel your accommodation and receive a full refund, if you cancel within seven days of accepting it. If you change your mind after the seven days, you will remain liable for your contract unless a replacement can be found. You should only accept the accommodation on the understanding that you will remain for the full contract period. For further information please contact Living on +44 (0)121 414 8000, or by visiting the Living shop in University Centre on campus.

Where can I find more information about my accommodation? 

You’ll find more, including a 360 tour, on our Student villages and halls of residence pages.

Is it possible to view all of the University’s accommodation? 

The next annual Accommodation Open Day is in March 2018. It is a great chance for you to experience our accommodation at first hand. For more information take a look at the Accommodation Open Day page. If you apply for accommodation before the Accommodation Open Day, you’ll be able to change your choices on your application form after the event by logging back into your application.  A small amount of our accommodation is available to view on University Open Days and most Applicant Visit Days.

Are the rooms cleaned or can I request a cleaner? 

It’s up to you to keep your room and flat clean and tidy, but you can arrange to have your flat cleaned as a one off or weekly for a small extra charge. Take look at our Cleaning services pages for more information. 

Can I request to live with my friend? 

There is an extra notes section on the application where you can make requests like these but we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to meet all requests. Remember, both you and your friend will need to make the request for it to be considered. 

Do you have accommodation suitable for families / couples? 

For couples we offer studios and apartments in University accommodation. For families we recommend that you look in the private sector. Birmingham Student Pad is a good place to start or you can contact the Living team on +44 (0)121 414 8000 or email living@contacts.bham.ac.uk. Please note, children are not allowed in University accommodation. 

Why did I not get my first choice accommodation? 

We can never guarantee any of your preferences.  We always try to get as close to your preferences or facility choices as possible. 

When can I move in? 

All contracts for academic year 2018/19 start on 24th September 2018. You will be able to select a time slot so that you can move in during the weekend of 22nd-23rd September 2018.

My accommodation has been cancelled, what can I do?

If you don’t accept your offer of accommodation within four days it will be cancelled. If you still want University accommodation you’ll need to apply online again but remember, your new application will be outside the guarantee scheme which means we’ll no longer be able to guarantee your accommodation. 

Am I able to transfer to different accommodation? 

If you’re not happy with your flat when you arrive there’s a chance to transfer during the first term if you’re living in University-owned accommodation, usually in October. If we’re able to transfer you there’s an administrative fee of £50. If you’ve been allocated accommodation with a partner provider you won’t be able to transfer. 

Can I cancel my accommodation and get a refund? 

Once you’ve accepted your offer of accommodation and made your pre-payment you’ll only be released from your contract if a replacement can be found. If a replacement can’t be found you’re liable to make the full payment.

Does my room have a TV aerial point?

Whilst some of our rooms do have a TV aerial point not all of the rooms have an aerial point as television is now accessed by IPTV through a student's laptop or other internet enabled device.

Where should I go if I have a query about my accommodation once I arrive? 

If your Village Reception is unable to assist, Living are based in University Centre. Our opening times are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (Tuesdays from 10am). Alternatively you can email us at living@contacts.bham.ac.uk and we’ll aim to respond within two working days. 

How do I report any damage or issues with my flat? 

You should report any damage as soon as you move into your accommodation. If any damage occurs during the year you can request repairs at your site reception. You’ll find the phone number on the noticeboard in your room. 

Can I extend my contract? 

If you need an extension you’ll need to inform Living accommodation services towards the end of your contract period. This will be subject to availability. 

Can I find out the names of my flatmates before I move in? 

No, because of data protection we can’t disclose this information. But you can take a look on websites like Facebook as there are often groups on this.  The Student Mentor Scheme also operates a 'Flatmate Finder' app via Facebook, where you can find other students living in your flat or nearby who have registered with the app.

What do I need to bring with me for my flat? 

Please take a look at the inventory for your flat on our Living with Us page. 

I’m in your partner accommodation; can I transfer to University accommodation? 

Once you enter into a contract with one of our partner providers of accommodation you’ll be bound by the terms and conditions of that contract. You will need to find a replacement for your room to be released from the contract as you would in University accommodation. Once you’ve found a replacement it will then depend upon the vacancies we have in our accommodation whether we can offer you a room. 

What does the Travel Daily list mean? 

This is set up for students who live within commuting distance of the University and have chosen to wait until a space in their preferred accommodation becomes available. We usually allocate all of these students within the first term. 

Are there any opportunities for students to work in University accommodation?

The University of Birmingham offers on-campus casual work opportunities for students. Worklink the University’s Student recruitment service is looking for a number of first year students for new positions at the Vale Student village.

Please visit the Worklink website to view and apply on-line for any positions you feel you are suitable for. You will need to upload your CV and have your Student ID number.

How do I make sure you have my correct address details if I have moved?

Log in to the Student Portal.
- Go to the ‘my programme’ tab at the top of the screen.
- Click on ‘Online Registration’.
- Select option 2 ‘Update Addresses’.
- Update your details and click ‘Submit’.