Accommodation Guarantee schemes

The University offers a guarantee of accommodation for the majority of students that are beginning their studies at the University. The guarantee means that students will receive an offer of accommodation that takes into consideration the information and preferences they have provided in their accommodation application.

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 preferred accommodation.

Freshers Guarantee Scheme 2019/20

We guarantee all first-year undergraduate students a room in University accommodation or a nominated bedspace in partner accommodation provided that you:

  • Applied to the University of Birmingham through UCAS
  • Met the terms of your offer and accepted it as your firm choice
  • Submitted the application by 31 May (UK/EU students) or 31 July (international students)
  • Confirmed by 1 September that you’re coming to the University
  • Come to the University of Birmingham on your own
  • Applied for accommodation for a full academic year on a 42-week contract

Applications for accommodation for 2019/20 open on 1 December 2018.  You can apply online for accommodation as soon as you have an offer of a place to study at Birmingham. You will need your Student ID number, included in your offer letter, to apply. 

Students who are outside the guarantee scheme - for example those who put Birmingham as their insurance choice of University, or apply after the deadline, are not guaranteed accommodation. However where we have vacancies we will offer these rooms and if we do not have accommodation within our own stock we will advise on suitable alternative options.

Postgraduate Guarantee Scheme 2019/20

We understand how important it is to secure suitable accommodation, particularly when you’re getting used to an unfamiliar environment and meeting new people. So we guarantee a room in University accommodation or nominated bed space in partner accommodation to all international students and non-UK EU students who are new to Birmingham, provided that you:

  • Firmly accept the offer of a place on a University programme of study by 1 September 2019 and make sure your application for accommodation is received by our Accommodation Services department no later than 31 July 2019

  • Are coming to the University on your own

  • Agree to remain in your University accommodation for the full term of your contract

Applications for accommodation for 2019/20 open 1 December 2018. You can apply online for accommodation as soon as you have an offer of a place to study at Birmingham. You will need your Student ID number, included in your offer letter, to apply.

UK Postgraduates 2019/20

We can't automatically guarantee UK postgraduate students a place in University accommodation, but you’re welcome to apply and we’ll do our best to help you. Please view our webpages on renting accommodation in the private sector for more information.

Clearing and Adjustment

We are pleased to confirm that accommodation will be offered to Clearing and Adjustment students who have been firmly accepted to the University. 

You can apply online for accommodation as soon as you have an offer of a place to study at Birmingham. You will need your Student ID number to apply. 

Study Abroad and International Exchange Programme students 2019/20

If you are a Study Abroad and International Exchange Programme student outside of the EU you are guaranteed accommodation if you satisfy the above guarantee schemes. Please ensure you apply for accommodation by the 31 July 2019 and when completing the application form please select the option "UG New students 2019/20". 

Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee accommodation to Erasmus students; however you can still apply for University owned accommodation and if we have rooms available we will be in touch. Please note we have extremely limited availability in September. 

Eramsus students, Study Abroad and International Exchange Programme students in the EU who are not guaranteed University accommodation can use our informative private sector webpages to find suitable alternative accommodation.

Applications received after the guarantee deadlines

If you miss the deadline, you’re still welcome to apply for accommodation but unfortunately we won’t be able to guarantee you a place. However where we have vacancies we will offer these rooms and if we do not have accommodation within our own stock we will advise on suitable alternative options.