Whether you’re starting uni for the first time or coming back for more, arranging your accommodation can be a daunting task. But, with a bit of know-how, you’ll have a room booked in minutes. That means you can focus on the other pre-uni tasks on your to-do list.
Discover how to apply for university accommodation, when to apply, and how much it’ll cost with this quick and easy guide from Unite Students.
In a rush? Here’s a step-by-step on how to apply for student accommodation and book a room:
Find your property and pick your room type and options
Select the duration of your stay
Arrange a viewing or book
Learn how to apply and secure your perfect Uni room today.

Use our Property Search tool to find accommodation in your chosen city.

Once you’ve chosen your property, select from our choice of rooms.
Book a viewing in-person or online. Or, skip this step and head right to booking.

Once you’re happy with your choice, click book now and pay. Sorted.
Once you’ve found your perfect room, all you need to do is book and pay for it. Don’t worry, with Unite Students, there’s not just one way to pay. We accept the following methods:
Visa
Visa Electron
Mastercard
Maestro
Union Pay.
To secure a room, we need the following:
Your payment details
An advance rent payment (if applicable)
You and your guarantor to accept the tenancy agreement.
At most properties, you can pay in full, or in:
A payment plan of 3 or 7 instalments – if your permanent residence is in the UK
2 or 4 instalments – if your address is outside the UK.
Please note that, even if you pay in full, you may still be required to have a guarantor.
Want to make a payment on behalf of someone else? Visit our ‘Make a Payment’ page. You’ll need the customers’ full name and booking code so that we can attribute the payment to the correct account.
Need to add or amend payment details? Visit your ‘My Account’ page.
You’re ready to book your student home—here’s what happens next.
We’ll notify you when your application has been accepted. You can also track your application through your account.

Once your application is accepted, both you and your guarantor will need to agree to the tenancy agreement. Don’t worry, we’ll contact you about it.

Once that’s done, all you need to do is prepare to move in. Get those creature comforts together and don’t forget your ID. You’ll need it when you check in.
Moving can be a stressful time, but with a uni essentials checklist, you can rest assured knowing you’re not missing out on anything important.
While everyone has their creature comforts, there are some things you can’t go without. Don’t worry, you don’t need to bring everything and the kitchen sink.
At Unite Students, our rooms have the following:
Bed
Bedside table
Study desk and chair
Wardrobe and storage
Shelving
Curtains
Full-length mirror.
So, that’s the big stuff covered. But you’ll want to bring more to make your space a home. Consider personal items such as game consoles, TVs, tablets, speakers, photos, lamps, cushions, and bedding.
You may also want to bring extra storage solutions, as well as bathroom or medical products that you might need or want.
At Unite Students, you’ll have access to the big kitchen appliances, but you’ll need to bring your own kitchen essentials. This could range from frying pans and kitchen knives to other knick-knacks like cheese graters or bottle openers.
Get a full list with our in-depth uni essentials checklist to really make your space your own.
Student accommodation can vary in cost, depending on the type of room you book, its size, and the location you choose. Proximity to a university campus or city centre, even in a “cheaper” student city, will cost more relative to less convenient options. Don’t worry, with Unite Students, you’re never caught off guard.
With our property search tool, you can find out prices before you book – and you can pay in instalments.
We have many different types of rooms to choose from, and the rooms available depend on where it is you’re studying and which property you’re interested in.
Choose a non-ensuite and you'll have a private bedroom but share your bathroom and kitchen with flatmates. If you'd prefer a little more privacy, our ensuite rooms feature private bedrooms and bathrooms, but you'll still share your kitchen with flatmates. For total privacy, opt for a studio - these individual flats come complete with their own bathroom and kitchen which you won't have to share with anyone else. We also have accessible rooms available for students with accessible needs.
You can find out more about the room types we offer at each property by viewing the property pages on our website. Or search by the type of room you'd like to book. First head to your chosen city's page, and hit 'Filter'. Here you can refine your search by room type.
Want to book a flat with friends? No problem. You can use our group booking tool to do exactly that!
Before completing the group booking form, you’ll need to know how many people you want to book with and which property you’d like to live in. Then, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Fill in our form
Use the drop-down boxes to choose your city, where you’d like to live and how many people are in your group. Then select your flat size preference. This decides if your group wants to share with others or not.
Once you’re happy, click ’search‘.
Step 2: Select your flat
You’ll then be shown a selection of the flats we have available. You’ll see the location of the flat, the total number of rooms and the number of rooms left; you’ll need to select one option. If there ’t any flats available, click the ’back to search‘ button and try different search preferences.
Step 3: Choose your rooms
The rooms show the room number, the type of room and the dates you can book for. You can select any number of rooms to book, and you can unselect the rooms using the cross on the corner. Remember to select a room for each person in your group!
Step 4: Add your group’s details
Next, let us know the name and email address of each member of your group. If you’re the lead booker, use the ’your room‘ button to assign which room is yours.
Once you’ve added your details, click continue and submit your booking. An email with the details of the room you’ve selected will then be sent to your group, inviting them to book their room too.
It’s that simple!
Click here to start your group booking.
All our show flats, and the images on our website, are representative of a particular room type unless labelled otherwise – however they are not identical. Your room will have all the same features and fittings, just in a slightly different set up. If you are unhappy with your room, please speak to the reception team. Where there are other rooms available we will offer these as an alternative. Please be aware that these requests may incur a charge.
If you need to change or cancel your booking with us, you can do so but you may still be liable to pay your rent if you completed your booking and are outside the cooling off period. You can find out more information in our cancellation policy here.
We understand that applying for a University place or a visa application can be a stressful process. That's why if you don't get the results you need or your visa application is declined, we'll cancel your booking free of charge giving you peace of mind. Find out more here.
This cancellation request is available to customers who have not yet checked in. If you have already checked in please speak to your property manager.
If you have already checked into your room and you wish to cancel or amend your booking please contact your property reception team who will be happy to advise you on the next steps. Find out more about changing or cancelling your uni accommodation in our guide here.
No, your partner, family, or friends cannot live in your uni accommodation. However, you’re allowed to have guests under the Unite Students guest policy. Try to remain considerate of your other flatmates. If you want your partner over, a few nights should be fine, but try not to allow them to stay overnight for extensive periods of time.
You are allowed to have guests on site, however please note you are responsible for any guests you bring in line with your tenancy agreement. Your guest can stay for as long as a few nights, but not excessive or extensive periods of time. We want to make sure that all our residents feel safe and comfortable on site, so we ask that any guests are respectful of others and their surroundings.
You can check in with your property team for more information.
Secure your place at our uni accommodation to get the best choice of our rooms, flats and studios for the 2026/27 uni year.
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