Wondering when to apply for uni accommodation? Booking as early as possible gives you the best chance to get a room you’ll really love for the year ahead. Whether you’re entering your first year, final year, or studying for a master’s or PhD, here’s what you need to know about booking your university accommodation.
Is it too early to book student accommodation?
You might think it’s too early to book your student accommodation now, especially if you’re still submitting your UCAS application for the next academic year, but we promise you, it’s not! Depending on where you want to live, you may be able to book your room already.
Book earlier with private student accommodation providers
If you want to live in uni halls, you’ll probably need to wait until you’ve got an offer of a place on your course before you can book your accommodation. But if you’re planning on staying in private student accommodation, like Student Roost, you can book as soon as you want to.
It’s worth considering if you’re one of those people (like us!) who likes to get things ticked off the to-do list nice and early. After all, you’ll have peace of mind that your room is secure, ready, and waiting for you to move into.
If you’re already staying with us
If you’re already at a Student Roost property, rebooking your room as soon as booking opens means you can secure the same room you’re living in now. You won’t have to pack your things and move them, you’ll know everything is safe and secure when you’re away with our 24/7 onsite team members, and it’ll feel like coming home all over again when you return from the university break!
Alternatively, if you’re living with us and fancy a bit of a shake-up of your living situation, then you can check out the options and upgrade to a different room – again, earlier is better because you’ll be able to secure your preferred room as soon as possible.
But my friends say I should be waiting to book student accommodation?
What might work for your friends might not work for you, so you do you!
Other students will be looking at accommodation for the next year already, so certain room types and even whole flats will be going, going, gone sooner than you think.
If you’re itching to get booking, have a chat with your mates about visiting some of our properties to get a feel for the place you might be calling home. You can even ask to see building and floor plans, so you can find a flat together where you know you’ll be happy.
What are the benefits of booking student accommodation early?
Apart from those already explored above? Plenty!
- Get more choice: with thousands of students across the UK looking for accommodation, getting your booking in early, or preparing to by visiting properties, will mean you have a bigger choice of room types to choose from. If you leave it any later, that gold studio you’ve had your eye on might not be available when you do come to book.
- Get the best location: getting in early also means you can select the best flat location, so that sixth floor balcony view you’ve got your heart set on could be all yours!
- Stay with your mates: if you’re making a group booking with your mates, booking early will give you the best chance of choosing a flat where you can live together and make your Roost a home throughout your university years together.
Booking university accommodation as a fresher
Are you a fresher next year? Booking early and not leaving it until the last minute will also help to ease those post-results day nerves when you’re thinking “oh… I’m actually moving out and going to uni!” You’ll know you’ve got the university place and the accommodation ready, so there's no panic that you’ll end up with a room you don’t like because you left booking until the very end. Plus, with your accommodation sorted, you can use the time before arrival to focus on other things, such as getting to know your flatmates, collecting the essentials you’ll need, or even booking a trip to the city where you’ll be studying to explore campus or your accommodation, so you know exactly where you’ll be going and what to do when you get there.
Not a fresher next year, and instead looking for somewhere for second year? Check out our guide on where to live during your second year at uni.
What if my plans change?
Worried that booking early means you’ll be locked into a lengthy contract if your plans change? At Student Roost, we know that life happens. You can cancel your booking with ease under our Cancellation Policy if your circumstances change, such as not getting a university offer, not being granted a visa, or if you end up studying in a different city.
You’ll find Roosts across the UK, so if you’ve booked a room in Durham but have decided to study in Newcastle, for example, we can transfer your tenancy across to our Newcastle property depending on availability, so you’ll be able to relax and prepare for university knowing you’ve still got somewhere to stay!
Ready to book student accommodation that's right for you?
We hope you’re feeling more informed about when to book your uni accommodation and if the time is right for you.
Remember, the key is to not leave it too late to make a booking. Doing it early means you can relax, knowing that your accommodation is booked, sorted, and ready for you to make it your home – wherever you’re at in your student journey.
With over 50 properties in over 20 locations, we’d love for you to stay with us at Student Roost. You can speak to our property teams via email, LiveChat or telephone for further information, or visit us at our properties for a tour and to find out more about our Roosts and how we are more than a room.
