Moving into University accommodation can be a busy and exciting time. We aim to make moving in as simple as possible, so that you can feel at home right away.
Booking your room in accommodation is easier than ever, and you will now choose the exact room to suit you.
For postgraduate students, you will be able to choose your room as soon as you have applied for accommodation.
For undergraduate students, as soon as your place at the University of Birmingham is confirmed, we’ll let you know by email when and how to book your room via our Accommodation Portal. If you are waiting on A Level results (and you applied on time), then you'll get your invitation to book within a week of A Level results day.
Your invitation to book will include your unique booking window - these timeslots are are randomly generate to ensure everyone has fair access to the system. If you can’t login to the Accommodation Portal during your allocated timeslot, you’ll have another chance to secure your room within a week of A-level results day.
For postgraduate students, you'll receive your invitation to book as soon as you've applied for accommodation.
Once you've found your room, you will need to pay the £550 Advance Payment to secure your booking. This is an initial payment towards your fees, rather than a deposit.
Find out more about booking your room
Accommodation Pass
The Accommodation Pass is your comprehensive guide and introduction to living in student accommodation.
Containing all the essential information you'll need during your time with us, it's an important part of your student induction process and every student needs to complete it.
Book your arrival timeslot
After booking your room, and once you've completed the Accommodation Pass (available from Monday 4 September), you will be able to choose an arrival timeslot for your new home.
Timeslot options will be carefully spaced out to ensure that only a limited number of people are arriving to campus at one time.
What happens on the day?
On the day, you should aim to arrive for your booked timeslot. These have been spaced out so we can manage traffic and make sure you've got space to move in comfortably.
If you're arriving by car, head for your accommodation site - there's some yellow AA signage along the way to help you, but it's useful to make sure you have the address and postcode to hand.
Birmingham Clean Air Zone
If you are driving to campus, make sure you are aware of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, which covers the city centre. Vehicles that do not meet the emission standards for the zone are subject to a daily fee. Campus itself is outside of the Zone, and it is possible to travel to campus from all directions without passing through the Zone. Many cars and vehicles are exempt. Find out more and check if your vehicle is exempt.
At your site, our Security and Accommodation staff will be on hand to guide you. Depending on your accommodation (and whether you already have your student ID card), you may be directed straight to your flat, or you may need to go to a key collection point - the staff will tell you where to go. We'll get you as close as possible to your accommodation! Our student helpers will also be on hand to help you unload.
Once the car is unloaded, we will ask you to move it to one of our car parks. Most parking on campus is free over the weekend, so your guests can stay as little or as long as they want, and we will direct you to the nearest car park. Please avoid parking on nearby residential roads - we don't want to annoy the neighbours! We'll also have a shuttle bus running from the North East Multi-Storey car park to The Vale Village, to help you get back to unpacking.
Remember that our Welcome Fair and Wellbeing Marquee will be taking place on campus. You and your guests can explore together, take in the atmosphere, and can even join a campus tour together. Find out more on our Arrivals Weekend page.
Stuck in traffic and going to miss your timeslot? Don't panic - these things happen. Just get to us when you can. You may need to wait a little while for space to unload, but we'll make sure you get in.
If you're arriving by coach from the airport, don't worry too much about the exact timeslot. The most important thing is that we know which day you are arriving.
Family and friends helping you move in?
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre is the University of Birmingham’s hotel, just a short walk from the main campus, with 185 bedrooms (including some for pet-owners and their four-legged friends) and free car parking. Dine in style at the sleek 1900 Restaurant and Bar, where you can choose from a formal menu, relaxed bar menu afternoon tea, and over 60 gins. There’s a 10% discount for guests booking overnight accommodation during Welcome Week. Simply contact the hotel directly on 0121 414 8888 or visit www.edgbastonparkhotel.com quoting the WELCOME23 discount code.
Getting to know your flatmates
If your flatmates have opted to share their details with you, you'll be able to access this information when booking your room. Hall Reps from the Guild of Students will also run activities throughout the week for you to get to know those living in your accommodation.
Hall Reps' Pizza Parties
Come and meet your new flatmates and your Hall Reps and Mentors, over a slice of pizza, to help you make the most of your first few nights in your accommodation. Come alone or with the people in your flat - either way, you'll soon meet lots of your new neighbours!
All pizza parties take place 17:00-19:00, and are open to all students in that accommodation village. Gluten free and vegan options will be available. No booking needed, just head down when you're ready.
Friday 15 September: Pritchatts Park, Shackleton, Jarratt Hall.
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September: Aitken, Bournbrook, Battery Park, Chamberlain, Elgar Court, Jarratt Hall, Metalworks, Mason, Maple Bank, Oak Brook Park, Pritchatts Park, Shackleton, Tennis Courts.
Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 17 September: Pritchatts Park.
The Hall Reps also run the official accommodation Facebook groups, where you can meet and get to know other students in your halls.
For Ashcroft, The Spinney, Oakley Court, and Pritchatts Road Studios
For Battery Park, Bournbrook, Jarratt Hall, The Metalworks, Oak Brook Park, and Selly Oak Court
For Aitken, Chamberlain, Elgar Court, Maple Bank, Mason, Shackleton, and Tennis Courts
Please be aware that each year we see a number of unofficial Facebook groups and group chats on WhatsApp and Snapchat set up for 'University of Birmingham freshers' or accommodation sites. Be cautious of who you're giving your information to and bear in mind that many of these groups are set up by promoters who want to sell tickets to events.
Look out for the Guild of Students' official stamp which will be included on all their Welcome events.