Allocation Criteria
The following sets out the criteria used in the allocation of student accommodation to those who apply to the University.
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Find out more information about how to apply to Ulster University accommodation at Belfast, Coleraine, and Derry ~ Londonderry campuses.
2025/26 No Obligation booking & Accommodation Guarantee
Applications will open 1st March 2025. Applicants who have made Ulster their Firm Choice will be emailed their unique Student ID number from 1st March 2025.
No need to worry about not having a room for September, Ulster University is offering “No Course, no Contract”. As a Conditional Firm/Unconditional Firm student you can apply for accommodation before the 7th July and be guaranteed a room offer at your campus of choice.
Please note that you cannot submit a request for accommodation unless you have received and have Firmly accepted an offer from Ulster. You can Firmly accept an offer in UCAS Track once you have received offers from all the universities to which you have applied. Where need and priority are not an issue the date order of application will be the criteria is used for allocation. On some campuses based on demand for accommodation students whose home address is within 20 miles of the campus may not qualify for accommodation.
To apply you will pay £100 booking fee which is fully refundable until you have accepted an accommodation room offer.
There is no obligation to university accommodation until you have accepted an accommodation offer. If you are unsuccessful in securing a place at Ulster University, you will be released from your accommodation contract.
Our ResLife teams are making plans for a full ResLife programme of events for residents to enjoy their university experience & make lifelong memories!
Conditional & Unconditional Insurance Applicants Please note: You cannot book accommodation without making Ulster your first choice.
If Ulster is your Insurance choice university and your place here is confirmed when the exam results are released in August, you can request accommodation at that stage. In previous years, nearly all new students who took up a place at Ulster during the Clearing period were offered rooms in the accommodation listed on our website.
2025/26 Semester 2
International Students
At Ulster, we recognise that deciding to move to another country to study is a big step and, as well as coping with your academic work, you will be adjusting to living and working in a different environment. We appreciate the importance that international students place on their accommodation needs when settling quickly into a new environment far from home *.
Therefore, we offer certain guarantees of accommodation as follows:
Full time Students from Overseas
Full time Students from Overseas (These are students from outside the European Union): are guaranteed an offer of accommodation in the first year of study. This guarantee only applies to students who are categorised as “overseas” for fee purposes, have firmly accepted an offer of a course of study for a minimum of one academic year, and whose completed accommodation application is received by 14th August in the year admission is sought. Applications may be made throughout the year, but the guarantee does not apply after the 14th August deadline.
Visiting/Exchange Students from Outside the European Union
Visiting/Exchange Students from Outside the European Union: if you are a student from outside the EU and you apply under the Exchange, ISEP, or Junior Year/Study Abroad programmes to study at Ulster for a single semester only, you will be guaranteed an offer of accommodation for Semester 1 provided that your completed application is received by 14th August in the year of admission. An offer of accommodation for Semester 2 will be guaranteed provided a completed application form is received by 14th December in the year of admission.
Other Students from Outside UK/Ireland
Other Students from Outside UK/Ireland (This applies to student within the European Union): if you are a student on Exchange or other programmes (for example, Socrates) you may be offered accommodation provided there are vacancies remaining.
Application Process
Undergraduate
- If you have been accepted onto a course (UF)*, or have received a conditional firm offer (CF)*, you will receive an email with your "B" number along with details of how to apply via the online accommodation portal.
- Simply register using your student "B" number which will be emailed to all eligible students once you have a conditional offer. International or returning students can use an existing registration or "B" number if they have one.
- Once registered, pick up to a minimum of 2 accommodation options (in order of preference) then submit your application.
- A £100 booking fee is then required. This is refunded if you don't accept the University's accommodation offer.
* If you have an eligible offer and apply by the 7th July, you are guaranteed a room in university accommodation once you are accepted onto the course.
International Students
Our International students who apply for accommodation by 14th August for Semester 1 & 14th December for Semester 2 are guaranteed a room in accommodation. Choose from a range of accommodation types to suit every budget and preference.
Introducing 'TransferMate'
Residential Services are delighted to offer International students the opportunity to make payments for accommodation via 'Transfer Mate' and enjoy the following benefits:
- Eliminates the cost/admin associated with international payments
- Pay in your local currency to local bank accounts so no international wire fees
- Better exchange rates
- Savings on Bank Transfer/Credit Card
- Faster. ‘TransferMate’ will provide quote and give 48 hours to compare quotes before paying
- Receipt immediately confirming payment
- 24 hour customer Service from ‘TransferMate’
Information for 'Funded' and 'Non-funded' international students
Students who are attending Ulster University through a course which is fully funded i.e. your accommodation fees are being paid by Ulster University International Department or direct to Residential Services should apply using the APPLY NOW tab and choose the 'Overseas Funded student' option. This means you will not be required to make a payment when accepting your room offer.
Any student who is receiving funding directly from their home institution to pay their accommodation fees should not choose this option.
NEED HELP? If you have any queries regarding your course, funding or arrival to Ulster University please Contact the Team - Ulster University Global and they will be happy to help.
Guarantor
Can't find anyone who can act as your guarantor in UK?
The University has partnered with Housing Hand to help you find a UK Guarantor through their Guarantor service.
Reslife want you to help you settle into University life with confidence. If you have a disability, health concern or other requirement we are here to help you. We will make reasonable adjustments for students that need extra support within their accommodation due to a long-term medical condition or sensory/physical impairment. This may include making adaptations to a room or allocating a room in a specific location to ensure you can be involved fully in University life and the Student experience.
- It is important that when you complete the application you declare any pre-existing medical conditions which may be impacted by living in university accommodation.
- Residential Services will liaise with colleagues in the Student Wellbeing team to ensure you are allocated to appropriate accommodation and that necessary support is provided. You will be asked to provide recent certification regarding your condition from a suitably qualified medical professional.
- If you develop or experience a new temporary disability e.g., an injury due to sports etc. while in residences, you should inform ResLife so that appropriate support or alternative accommodation can be provided if required.
* Student health and wellbeing is fundamental for all students to enable positive experiences of university life. It is important that you take responsibility for self-care and connect with the appropriate support services such as your GP, Student Wellbeing Services, Sports Services all of which promote health and well being .
Medical Registration
* You are advised to register with a local Doctor/General Practitioner. Assistance with this can be given via Student Wellbeing.
* Information regarding local medical practices is available at Student Well Being Offices or on the Student Wellbeing website
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