1. Applying for Accommodation
Applications for University accommodation are accepted on the basis that students are from an eligible group, detailed as follows for 2026/27 academic year:
- New first years studying a full-time undergraduate course
- New full-time Foundation Degree in Sports Performance (C601) students
- New full-time MA Contemporary European Studies (Euromasters) students
- Full-time overseas, fee-paying postgraduate taught students, in any year of study.
- Returning students with complex, long term conditions or disabilities who have been assessed as eligible to live in university accommodation
- Students leaving care provided by the State or other organisations
- Students that are estranged, refugees or asylum seekers in receipt of a Sanctuary Scholarship
- Exchange or visiting students nominated for student accommodation by the International Mobility team
- Students attending a pre-sessional programme
Applications for our nomination accommodation are accepted on the basis that students are from an eligible group, detailed as follows for 2026/27 academic year:
- Overseas, fee-paying postgraduate Taught students (PGT)
- New UK fee paying postgraduate Taught students (PGT)
UK fee paying postgraduates
New UK fee paying postgraduates are eligible to apply for university-managed accommodation and nomination accommodation . There is limited accommodation available to UK postgraduate students, these are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. We will try to house as many UK postgraduate students as possible.
PhD and Research Postgraduates
New students studying PhD programmes are eligible to apply for University managed accommodation and nomination accommodation . There is limited accommodation available to PhD Students. these are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. We will try to house as many PhD students as possible.
Non-eligible groups
If, during the application verification processes, an application is found from a non-eligible student, the application will be rejected, and confirmation of this will be sent to the student by email. Assistance can be provided in finding private sector housing by visiting our Private Sector Accommodation webpages.
1.2 When to apply
First year undergraduates
Applications are accepted after Bath is registered as your first choice through UCAS.
Those who have made Bath their insurance choice can only apply after they have changed Bath from insurance choice to first choice.
All other eligible groups
Applications are accepted after you have made a 'firm' acceptance of course offer with the University of Bath.
1.3 Guarantee deadline
Undergraduate students from eligible groups need to have applied by the 1 July to be guaranteed a room in University accommodation or nomination accommodation.
Postgraduate Students applying before the 1 August must hold an ‘unconditional firm’ offer by the 1 August in order to be guaranteed accommodation. If your course status is still ‘conditional firm’ after 1 August, you are eligible to apply for our accommodation, but you are not guaranteed a place and the offer of such accommodation will be subject to availability, if and when your course status becomes ‘unconditional firm’.
Please note this accommodation guarantee is a guarantee of a room, not a specific type of room or location e.g. Campus accommodation.
There is limited accommodation available to UK postgraduate students and PhD students. These are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
1.4 Applying after the guarantee date
Accommodation applications received after the undergraduate deadline of 1 July, and postgraduate taught (PGT) deadline of 1 August are accepted on a non-guaranteed basis.
Whilst we cannot guarantee a room in University accommodation for applications made after the guarantee date, we make every effort to place you in our accommodation. This could be an offer of a temporary shared accommodation so that you are able to attend the University whilst we work with you to find a suitable permanent room.
1.5 Applying with additional requirements
Students wishing to apply for accommodation if they have a long term condition or disability that may impact how they live in our accommodation should complete an Additional Requirements form and upload it with supporting documentation in the account section of your accommodation portal at the time of application.
The guarantee date of 1 July still applies for additional requirements applications. We will still try to help as much as possible for applications received after 1 July, but finding available accommodation that is suitable may prove challenging. If you hold an insurance offer with us and have a condition that requires a specific type of room, you must download and email the form to reslifesupport@bath.ac.uk before the 1 July.
Students who need University managed accommodation beyond their first year due to their condition significantly impacting their ability to live in private accommodation, need to submit an Eligible Returner form and provide supporting information. This will be assessed by a panel of Student Support and ResLife teams. This panel will evaluate the application for eligibility to remain in University managed accommodation. Students who want to apply must have emailed the relevant additional requirements form to the ResLife Support team by the 1 January for the required year.
Students assessed as eligible will be allocated the most suitable room available for their needs.
We are committed to providing a safe and happy environment for students to live in, whatever their choice of accommodation. We value diversity and inclusivity and want everyone to be treated with respect. Our ResLife Support team is available to help if you need any support with your additional requirement application.
1.6 Assistance Animals
Students with a long term condition or disability who utilise an approved assistance dog and want to live in University accommodation must advise the ResLife Team as part of their additional requirements application.
Approved assistance dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, service dogs) are allowed into University accommodation under the control of their owner and will be allocated into studio accommodation.
There is currently no recognised accreditation of emotional support animals. The University therefore reserves the right to refuse access to any animal at its discretion that is not accredited. However, in exceptional circumstances and when there is clear supporting documentation, consideration will be given to requests by students to bring emotional support/ therapy animals to University. Any approval is at the University’s sole discretion. Consideration can only be given to animals that can be appropriately, safely and hygienically kept in a student’s bedroom. For further information contact reslifesupport@bath.ac.uk.
1.7 Applying for couple accommodation
For students attending accommodation with a partner there is the option to apply for couples accommodation. At least one of the occupants must be a student eligible for University of Bath accommodation. If both occupants are going to be students of the University of Bath, only one person needs to submit an accommodation application and only this student will be named on the accommodation licence agreement. Details will need to be provided of the second occupant during the application verification process. If one occupant leaves the accommodation, the remaining occupant must also leave if they are not a University of Bath current student. If the remaining occupant is a University of Bath current student they will be liable for the full cost of the room. Couple accommodation cannot be guaranteed. If couple accommodation is not available and if both occupants will be a current students at the University of Bath, both students will need to apply separately for single occupancy rooms. Couple accommodation is available in both undergraduate and postgraduate halls of residence.
1.8 Lifestyle Preferences
When completing an application for accommodation, there will be the opportunity to select rooms with specific lifestyle preferences. Selecting these preferences is not a guarantee that you will be allocated in this type of accommodation. Whilst we aim to offer a wide range of rooms with specific lifestyle preferences, it is not possible to offer this across all our accommodation options. Priority will always be to fulfil the gender requirements specified on the application. Whilst every effort is made to allocate into a selected accommodation, some room types are oversubscribed and it is not always possible to allocate into preferred accommodation options.
The lifestyle preferences available to choose from are:
Single Sex accommodation
Single sex flats are for students who do not wish to live in a mixed sex environment. Students living in single sex accommodation can have visitors of the opposite sex in their accommodation, but must show particular consideration to and be sensitive to their flatmates, and agree as a household with regards to expectations regarding visitors of the opposite sex. In addition, University staff or contractors of either sex may enter the accommodation from time to time.
Quiet accommodation
Quiet flats are for students who prefer living in a quieter environment. Extra consideration is needed to their flatmates and neighbours in keeping noise to a minimum wherever possible. Applicants who do not request quiet accommodation will not be assigned it.
For most of our accommodation it is expected that no noise or music should be heard in adjacent corridors or rooms after 11.30pm. However, for those assigned quiet accommodation it is expected that no noise or music should be heard in adjacent corridors or rooms after 10pm.
Excessive noise includes shouting, raised voices, loud music, slamming doors and the movement of furniture. It does not include normal day‑to‑day activities such as socialising, talking or cooking. Residents using kitchens or bathrooms after 10pm should show special consideration to other students in the accommodation group who may be trying to sleep.
While the quiet accommodation aims to provide a calmer environment, we cannot guarantee freedom from external noise sources outside of our control, such as construction or street noise. “Quiet” does not mean complete silence, but residents are expected to be considerate of others and manage their noise levels responsibly.
Alcohol-free accommodation
Alcohol‑free flats are available within our undergraduate accommodation. If you are allocated into an alcohol‑free flat, neither you nor your guests may store, consume, or bring alcohol into the accommodation at any time.
Mature student accommodation
New undergraduate applicants aged 21 years or above will be allocated with other students 21 and above where suitable accommodation is available to do so. We cannot guarantee there will be no students younger than 21 living around or within your accommodation.
LGBTQ+ accommodation
Our LGBTQ+ accommodation is open to undergraduate students of all gender identities and is exclusively for those who identify as LGBTQ+. You may select this option regardless of your gender identity, and you should expect to live alongside other LGBTQ+ students with a variety of gender identities. This accommodation is mixed‑gender. If you would prefer to live in single‑sex accommodation, please select that option when applying instead of the LGBTQ+ accommodation.
1.8 Show flats
We have a number of accommodation blocks that are used as show flats for University Offer Holder days and Open Days throughout the year. If you are allocated into a room within a show flat you will need to ensure your flat is ready for viewing on these occasions. By accepting an offer of an allocation into room in a show flat you agree to adhere to the show flat expectations and the information in the Accommodation Terms and Conditions
1.9 Accommodation options and availability
The University reserves the right to amend the accommodation options displayed on the application form at any time during the application cycle. This may include the addition or removal of room types or residences. Certain rooms may also be withheld from general release, or their availability adjusted, to meet the needs of applicants with Additional Requirements and to support the effective overall management of the accommodation portfolio.
If none of a student’s preferred room types or residences are available at the time of allocation, the University may assign a room that the student did not select or that was not originally listed as an available option on their application form.
2. Room Allocations
2.1 Room allocation procedure
We only allocate rooms after an applicant’s course offer changes to unconditional firm.
Rooms will be allocated randomly by the accommodation database according to course offer status, room type preference and group gender preference.
Our accommodation is located on campus and in and around the city centre.
Some accommodation/room types/locations are oversubscribed which means we cannot allocate everyone a place in one of their preferred accommodation options.
Postgraduates
Postgraduate allocations are completed when an applicant’s course offer changes to unconditional firm. Offers for postgraduate accommodation are sent out from the 6 May 2026, weekly on a Wednesday following the course offer changing to unconditional firm. Offers are sent to the applicants registered email address.
Students also applying for accommodation for their pre-sessional study need to have completed and additional application for their pre-sessional requirements. Allocations will not be processed until both applications are submitted.
Euromasters students semester 1
Eligible Euromaster students that apply for accommodation prior to the deadline of the 24 July 2026, will receive their allocation into Clevelands accommodation on Wednesday 29 July onwards.
Applications received after this date will be allocated into Clevelands, subject to availability. After which, allocations will be into other Single Semester accommodation.
Euromasters students semester 2
Eligible Euromaster students that apply for accommodation prior to the deadline of the 15 December 2026, will receive their allocation into Clevelands accommodation from Wednesday 16 December onwards.
Applications received after this date will be allocated into Clevelands, subject to availability. After which, allocations will be into other Single Semester accommodation.
Exchange students semester 1
Eligible Exchange students that apply for accommodation prior to the deadline of the 24 July 2026, will receive their allocation into Clevelands accommodation from Wednesday 29 July onwards.
Applications received after this date will be allocated into this accommodation subject to availability. After which, allocations will be into other Single Semester accommodation.
Exchange students semester 2
Eligible Exchange students that apply for accommodation prior to the deadline of the 15 December 2026, will receive their allocation into Clevelands accommodation from Wednesday 16 December onwards.
Applications received after this date will be allocated into this accommodation subject to availability. After which, allocations will be into other Single Semester accommodation.
First year undergraduates and all other eligible groups
When allocating undergraduate rooms for students who have submitted their application before the 1 July, priority is not given to the date and time that students submit their accommodation application. First year undergraduate room offers will be sent after the guarantee deadline of 1 July, and only once your course offer becomes unconditional firm.
All offers are sent out weekly on a Wednesday.
All first-year undergraduate students whose course status changes to unconditional firm prior to the 22 July will receive their offer up to and including the 22 July.
From 23 July, as the majority of first-year undergraduate allocations are completed after waiting for A level results, room offers will be sent out to all remaining first-year undergraduates eligible for guaranteed accommodation on Wednesday 27 August.
No accommodation room offers will be sent out between 27 July and 14 August due to UK exam embargo periods.
When allocating rooms for students who apply after the guaranteed application deadline, priority is given to students with approved Additional Requirements. All other applications are then grouped and processed according to the date they were submitted. Non‑guaranteed allocations will take place daily from 27 August, as and when suitable rooms become available.
2.2 Delays affecting your accommodation allocation
Delays to your offer becoming unconditional firm will likely affect your chances of getting your preferred room. Delays can include things like not achieving your offer grades and going through an appeal process.
You will need to contact us to inform us of any delay, otherwise your accommodation applications may be rejected.
2.3 Allocating you a room
University Accommodation
The date upon which you may receive an offer for University accommodation will depend on your student type and offer guarantee status.
The details of your expected allocation offer date will be included in the email you receive once you submit your application.
Accepting your accommodation allocation
If you are offered accommodation, you will receive an email inviting you to login to the Accommodation Portal to view and accept your offer. The email will confirm the date by which you need to accept or decline your offer. The deadline is four calendar days from your allocation date. If you miss the deadline, your offer will expire, and your room will be allocated to another student. Once your offer has expired you will need to contact us if you still require accommodation, in which case you will only be assigned a room subject to availability.
If you wish to secure a room in our accommodation, you must accept your offer and move into the accommodation. We are unable to process any room changes once a room has been allocated. If you are unhappy with your room allocation, you will then be eligible to apply for a room transfer from October 2026. Before the room transfer applications open, the ResLife support team can offer support with any concerns or worries that you may have.
If your allocation of accommodation does not meet your needs due to a long-term condition or disability that you have not previously made us aware of, you are advised to contact us and we will endeavour to help you. We cannot guarantee that a room that meets your needs will be available. You will be required to provide additional requirements form and supporting information to inform us of your needs and impact on accommodation allocation.
Your accommodation offer will include all the information about your contract with Us. You will need to read the offer of accommodation carefully and make sure it is suitable for your needs.
If you no longer require the accommodation we offer you, please notify us as soon as possible, so we can re-allocate the room to another student. If you fail to notify us that you no longer need the accommodation, then the first instalment of rent may be taken by the Accommodation Finance office on the payment due date.
In order to confirm the room allocation, postgraduates and returning Undergraduates living in University managed accommodation are required to make an advanced rent payment of £500 when they accept their accommodation contract. More information about this payment can be found in section 1.3 of the Student Accommodation Terms and Conditions.
Rejecting our offer of accommodation
You will need to email reslife@bath.ac.uk.If you reject your accommodation allocation offer. You will not be given an alternative offer and you will need to look for accommodation in the private sector.
Parents/Guardians
The University has a contractual relationship with its students, not with their parents/guardians. Accordingly, it is the University’s policy that it deals directly with students. We will therefore not be able to disclose any details of a student, or their accommodation arrangements, to a parent or guardian, without written authority from the student which has to be sent to reslife@bath.ac.uk.
Students under 18 years of age
Students who are under 18 years old at the start of their accommodation contract will be contacted by the ResLife team to provide the details of a Named Person to whom they give Third‑Party Consent. This is to ensure the student receives appropriate support in meeting the obligations of their Licence Agreement. Students must provide these details before their accommodation allocation can be confirmed.
Temporary shared accommodation
Whilst We will make every effort to place You in our accommodation, this could be an offer of temporary shared accommodation so that You are able to attend the University, whilst we work with You to find a suitable permanent room in our accommodation. Once a room becomes available in our accommodation You will be contacted with arrangements to move into your permanent accommodation. This will be an offer of a room in any of our accommodation blocks, located in the city or on campus. You must accept the room as per 2.3, and move into the accommodation. If required You will then be eligible to apply for a room transfer from October 2026. Before the room transfer applications open, the ResLife Support team can offer support with any concerns or worries that you may have.
There is no option to remain in Temporary Shared accommodation beyond the date your permanent room becomes available.
Non University of Bath Managed Accommodation
These buildings are secured on a nomination agreement with the University of Bath for use by our students:
The ResLife Allocations team at the University of Bath will decide allocations, and then inform the nominations accommodation management of the details. At this point they will contact students directly with room offer details and a room contract.
The individual management team for each building will then be your first point of contact for any queries you may have.