Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Am I guaranteed accommodation?
A. You're guaranteed a room in halls of residence for your first year of study provided Birmingham City University is your first choice, you have accepted an offer on a full-time course at the University, do not live in Birmingham and apply by the start of the Autumn Term.
This guarantee does not apply if you apply through Clearing
or choose Birmingham City University as your Insurance
choice. However, we will endeavor to make you an offer of accommodation, depending upon the location of your permanent home in relation to Birmingham and the date of your application.
Q. How much is the rent?
A. Please see individual accommodation pages for rent prices.
Q. How soon can I apply for accommodation?
A. When you've firmly accepted a course offer at Birmingham City University. If you're a late applicant, you can apply once you've received your unconditional offer of a place on a course.
Q. What information do I need to apply for accommodation?
A. You'll need your University Application Number, which can be found on your offer letter. You'll also need an up-to-date email address for correspondence during the allocation process. And you'll need to know your choices for accommodation.
Q. What if I don't have a University Application Number?
A. Your University Application Number should be on your offer letter. It is made up of eight unique numbers. If it isn't on your offer letter, please contact Accommodation Services.
Q. Can I apply if Birmingham City University is my insurance choice?
A. No, you must wait until Birmingham City University is your firm choice before applying for accommodation.
Q. How soon will I receive an offer of accommodation?
A. For students who have firmly accepted unconditional offers, the Allocations Team will start to process applications and allocate rooms from mid-June onwards. For students with conditional offers that turn into unconditional offers, processing will start shortly after A Level results are published.
Q. Am I guaranteed my preferred halls of residence?
A. Unfortunately, due to demand, we may not be able to offer your preferred choice. In this case we would offer you a suitable alternative.
Q. Can I share with my friends?
A. If you wish to share with or be close to friends, you and your friends must clearly indicate this on each of your application forms. We will endeavor to place you near to each other.
Q. How are students grouped in shared accommodation?
A. We take account of age, gender and course in order to place students near to others with whom they will have something in common but not necessarily in the same flat.
Q. Is there provision for students under the age of 18?
Download the University’s policy in relation to accommodating under-18s.
Q. Is single-sex accommodation available?
A. A limited amount of single-sex accommodation is available. Please state this requirement on your form.
Q. I am a student with disabilities. Will my accommodation needs be met?
A. We have a wide range of accommodation for students with disabilities. Please state the nature and degree of your disability when applying, to assist us in allocating suitable accommodation. Further information is provided with the details of each hall. Support is available in many ways within the University and can be provided upon request.
Q. How long can I stay in my accommodation?
A. You sign an agreement for a minimum of 40 weeks, which covers the Christmas and Easter breaks. If the first year of your course exceeds 40 weeks we can extend your contract accordingly. You may however need to move to another room and it should be noted that accommodation fees increase on 1 September each year. If you need accommodation over the summer break, we will try to facilitate this, but again you may need to move to another room.
Q. What if I am studying at Birmingham City University for only part of the academic year?
A. We may still be able to offer accommodation, but a minimum booking period will apply. Any student studying here for the Autumn or Spring Terms will be almost certainly be required to pay accommodation fees for the following vacation period. Our rooms are priced on the basis of a 40-week occupancy; it is therefore not possible to reduce minimum lengths of stay according to each individual's particular circumstances.
Q. If I have a medical condition which has a bearing on my allocation, what should I do?
A. Please give details on the application form and send a separate sheet, with a medical note where possible, to Accommodation Services. It is important to declare any such condition as early as possible in order that we can allocate the most suitable type of accommodation for your needs.
Tom's Story from Meningitis Trust on Vimeo.
Q. Can I view my accommodation before I move in?
A. Unfortunately it is not possible to view the halls of residence independently, but some faculties do arrange talks and viewings as part of their Open Days. Tours of selected halls are also available on our main Open Days.
Q. How do I pay my accommodation fees?
A. When you are made an offer of a room, you must send an advance payment of £350 to reserve it. If you subsequently withdraw and no longer require the room, we regret that this payment is non-refundable. The remainder of the accommodation fees is to be paid in three instalments – one per term – by direct debit. Alternative arrangements can be made if you're sponsored monthly. You'll receive further information about payments if you're offered a room.
Q. What accommodation is available after the first year?
A. A number of rooms in halls of residence and Oscott Road houses are available to returning students. These are advertised during the first few months of the academic year and we would recommend an early response if you're interested. Many students find Private houses for second and third years, details of
these can be obtained from Birmingham City Student Homes.
Q. How are e-applications dealt with?
A. After submitting your application you will be sent an email, which will contain your unique Validation Code. You must use the Validation Code to make your accommodation application. You'll then be sent an acknowledgement email from our server, confirming receipt of your e-application. You'll be given an Application Number, which you should keep for future reference. In order to make an application you must have firmly accepted a conditional or unconditional offer.
Q. Why has my e-application not been processed?
A. Accommodation Services will only process applications from students who have firmly accepted a conditional or unconditional offer of a place on a course. There are several reasons why we may not be able to process your application:
- Birmingham City University is your insurance choice
- You have not yet accepted your course offer
- We do not have your University Application Number
- You have used an incorrect University Application Number - in most cases students tend to assume the UCAS ID is the same as the University Application Number, this is not the case
- Your details are not on the University's admissions system.
Your University Application Number is made up of eight unique numbers. It is issued by your faculty.
Q. When will I be able to move into the accommodation?
A. Full details of times and dates for registration and collection of keys will be in the online induction. It may not be possible for you to arrive prior to the date given; you must contact Accommodation Services.to check before arriving.