Your accommodation, guaranteed

We understand how important it is to find the right accommodation for your time at university, especially if you’re just beginning your studies. That’s why we guarantee the opportunity to book a room for new undergraduates, international postgraduates, and full-year international exchange students.


You’ll be guaranteed a spot in accommodation so long as:

  • You meet the terms of your offer and have accepted us as your firm choice
  • You’ve applied for accommodation by the relevant Guarantee Scheme deadline (see more below)

Am I eligible for the Guarantee Scheme?

Undergraduate New – Home (UK students)

Apply for accommodation by 30 June 2025 and confirm University of Birmingham as your firm choice on UCAS, to be guaranteed the opportunity to book a room for September 2025.

Undergraduate New – International

Register for accommodation by 31 July 2025 and confirm University of Birmingham as your firm choice, to be guaranteed the opportunity to book a room for September 2025. 

Postgraduate New - International

If you're joining us in September 2025, you'll need to apply for accommodation from 1 December 2024. You'll be given the opportunity to book a room from the end of January 2025. All students with an application will be emailed with further details on how to book at the beginning of January.

International students have up until 31 July 2025 to be guaranteed the opportunity to book a room for September 2025. After this date, there is no guarantee that you will be able to book a room.

Study Abroad and Exchange students

International students coming to study at University of Birmingham for a full year (starting September 2025) have up until 31 July 2025 to apply for accommodation to be guaranteed the opportunity to book a room in one of our accommodation villages, or with one of our trusted accommodation partners. 

We also have a dedicated number of rooms available for international students studying at the University for one academic term only. If you're joining us for the 2025 Autumn Term (September to December 2025) you have up until 31 July 2025 to apply for accommodation. You'll be invited to book your room with us from 15 August 2025.

Arriving for the 2025 Spring Term (January to July 2025)? Apply for accommodation from mid-November 2024 to be given the opportunity to book a room. Your Guarantee Scheme deadline will be released nearer to the time, but it's usually before Christmas.

Not eligible for the Guarantee Scheme

Undergraduate Returners – 2nd, 3rd & 4th Years

We only have a limited number of rooms available for returning students. Therefore, we cannot guarantee all students will be given the opportunity to book a room. The opportunity to book a room is prioritised for students with additional requirements that have been discussed with Student Living and the University's Student Disability Services.

Remaining rooms will be available to book on a random lottery basis from the end of January 2025. All students with an application will be emailed with further details from the beginning of January.

Postgraduate New – Home (UK Students)

Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee you accommodation if you are a UK postgraduate student. We encourage you to apply from 1 December though if you're due to join us in September 2025, as you will be given a chance to secure accommodation if we have rooms available. We'll contact you in August 2025 if this is the case.

Insurance students

If University of Birmingham is your insurance choice, we unfortunately cannot guarantee you accommodation. However, we would still encourage you to apply for accommodation from 1 December; we'll help you find somewhere to call your own either with us (subject to availability) or within the local community.