Where you live can feel like a huge part of your first-year university experience. It might feel like if you don’t get your dream accommodation, it’s the end of the world.
If you’ve got your place through clearing, you might be wondering if that means you’ve missed your chance for university accommodation. The good news is that this probably isn’t the case!
We’ve put together this guide to help you sort out your accommodation after getting your university place through clearing. This guide includes:
The short answer to this question is yes, absolutely! Many universities offer guaranteed accommodation to all first-year students, including those who come through clearing. Even if your university doesn’t offer this guarantee, they’ll likely have places available, so you don’t need to panic.
Of course, going through clearing means you might not be able to choose from the full range of accommodation available. Some of the most popular options might be fully booked. However, you’ll most likely still be able to find somewhere within your budget, even if it’s not exactly what you wanted.
Once you’ve accepted your place through clearing, most universities will invite you to their student portal, which will include information on how to book clearing accommodation. You’ll typically be asked to choose your preferred accommodation type and give your top three choices.
Many universities run clearing open days where you can visit campus and look at accommodation. Or you can find information or take a virtual tour on your university’s website. Make sure you think about your budget and are realistic about what you can afford when making your choice.
If you don’t receive information from your university’s accommodation team, it’s worth getting in touch with them as soon as you can. They should have an accommodation office or a clearing hotline you can call.
There might be a limited number of spaces, so it’s best to start applying for accommodation as quickly as possible after you’ve got your university place. If there aren’t many places or a lot of competition, you might end up on a waiting list – which is why it’s so important to be proactive about finding your accommodation.
If your university has no space in halls, you might be offered a place in private halls or be given information on finding a privately rented student house. Alternatively, if the only accommodation your university can offer is way out of your price range or isn’t what you want, you might opt for private student accommodation instead.
Private halls are usually pretty similar to university halls, except they’ll be run by a private company. They’re usually located in the city centre or close to campus, and you’ll typically get your own room and a shared living space. Some private halls will have students from different universities in the city, so you might be living with people who go to a different university.
The other option is choosing a privately rented student house from a local landlord or letting agent. You can share with other students or rent a studio by yourself. There should be lots of students who have spare rooms and are looking for an extra housemate.
The best thing about choosing a private student house or flat is that you’ll have complete control over where you live and what kind of room you get. You won’t have to rely on what the university assigns you. Plus, you’ll likely live in private student accommodation for your second year anyway, so you’ll just be getting a head start.
Living in a privately rented student house for your first year does mean that you’ll have to get to grips with paying household bills a little earlier than most students. However, this doesn’t have to be stressful – you can always opt for a bill-splitting service to make your life easier!
Split The Bills is trusted by thousands of students across the country. We aim to make shared living as simple as possible for students. Our team will do the hard work of setting up utility accounts, calling suppliers and managing direct debits. All you have to do is pay one neat monthly bill!
You can create a personalised package, including energy, high-speed broadband, water and even a TV licence if you plan on watching live TV. Your energy and water bills will be uncapped, so you know exactly how much you’ll pay each month, and you don’t have to worry about accidentally going over.
Learn more about how Split The Bills works or get a price today if you’ll be living in a student house next academic year.
The move from first to second year at university often comes with a lot of change as most students will have to start paying bills for the first time. In this feature we discuss how you can keep your finances organised and pay bills responsibly.
The move from first to second year at university often comes with a lot of change as most students will have to start paying bills for the first time. In this feature we discuss how you can keep your finances organised and pay bills responsibly.
As a student, it’s crucial that you spend your money in the most effective ways possible, and one of the best ways to do this is by finding student discounts wherever you can.