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 2021/22

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 2021 (UK students) and 31 July 2021 (EU and international students)
  • 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 2021/22 open on 1 December 2020.  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.

Postgraduate Guarantee Scheme 2021/22

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 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 2021 and make sure your application for accommodation is received by our Accommodation Services department no later than 31 July 2021

  • 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 2021/22 open on 1 December 2020. 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 2021/22

If you are a UK student, we strongly encourage you to apply for accommodation. Whilst this means that you are not guaranteed University or Partner accommodation, there may still be a number of rooms available.

Should you apply, we guarantee that you will be supported to find accommodation in the private sector should we not be able to accommodate you in University or Partner residences. We work closely alongside local providers, and operate our own Lettings Membership Scheme for private landlords, to help ensure that you can make fully informed decisions and still find accommodation with the most flexible terms.

Study Abroad and International Exchange Programme students 2021/22

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 2021 and when completing the application form please select the option "UG New students 2021/22". 

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.

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.