Starting in January or April 2026?
Accommodation applications are now open for January and April 2026 starters and second semester applicants.
SPECIAL OFFER: 20% off for 51 week January/April rooms and 20 week January rooms.
Contact us by email or telephone +44 (0) 121 204 3618 to book.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Applying for university accommodation
Q. Can I still apply for 2025/26 University accommodation?
A. We have rooms available still from January 2026 and April 2026 for new and existing students. To apply, please contact the Accommodation Team. There is a 20% discount on all rooms from January 2026.
Q. How can I apply for 2026/27 University accommodation?
A. Applications for 26/27 are open now. Please go to our Apply online pages . Be aware that you will need to use your nine digit student number to apply. New students – This will be on your course offer letter and may begin with 26. Deferred students from last year may find their ID begins with 24 or 25.
Q. I am a Foundation Student going into the first year of my main degree. Can I apply for accommodation?
A. Foundation year students returning for the first year of their degree under an integrated 4 or 5 year course are classed as returning students and therefore not covered under our first year guarantee. However. the University has a limited number of rooms available for 26/27 in the William Murdoch and Mary Sturge buildings for returning students. These can be booked at our online booking portal. There is more information at https://www.aston.ac.uk/undergraduate/your-application/accommodation/returning-students
Q. I have accepted my offer through UCAS but I get an error message while trying to apply saying my details are invalid and do not exist.
A. It can take at least 48 hours from when you accept an offer through UCAS for the accommodation system to be updated. Please email accommodation if it has taken longer than this (weekends do not count). For Postgraduate Students, you may get this message if you haven't paid the deposit payment for the course.
Please also make sure you have entered your personal information correctly. If your first name, last name, DOB or student ID do not match what the University has on their system, you will also see this error message.
Any of these could cause an invalid response
- You just put one name next to ‘first name’
- Please use your new Aston student ID, not your UCAS one
- You don’t leave any spaces after your answers, especially if you copy and paste
- You enter the DoB in the format xx/xx/xxxx
- The emails and password match when you enter them twice.
- Make sure the password is at least 6 characters long
- Please do not use any accents or dots above letters (á, é, ö) as our system does not recognise them.
Please email accommodation if you are continuing to have this problem.
Q. Can I apply for one Semester?
A. Yes – 25 rooms are set aside for single term lets. However, these rooms are ringfenced for exchange students who are studying just for this one semester. After these have been allocated, you will go on a waiting list in case any of the 25 cancel. Please see allocation policy for more details. Applicants for Semester 2 will also be limited to these same 25 rooms. If you are unsuccessful, we strongly advise you to visit the aston student home exchange for more information.
Q. What do I do if I have forgotten my online accommodation application password?
A. Please follow this link.
Q. I have made a mistake on my application form, how can I change it?
A. If you think you have made a mistake on your online application form, you can log back in and change your Personal Details only. If you wish to amend your preferences then you will need to reject your application and create a new application.
Q. My UCAS application states that I wanted to stay at home but I have changed my mind. Can I still apply?
A. Yes. If you apply for campus accommodation, we assume you want to live on campus and not at home so we treat the application just as any other and dont check what you put down on UCAS.
Q. Is there any single sex or family accommodation available?
A. We have a limited amount of single sex accommodation available but we try and put as many applicants in their preferred room as possible. If there are empty rooms in single sex flats, we reserve the right to allocate students waiting for a room, which may change the flat from single sex to mixed sex. There is no family or couple accommodation on campus.
Q. Who manages the accommodation?
A. Unite Students are responsible for the management of all the campus student accommodation (called Aston Student Village). Once you have completed your tenancy agreement and booking, you will need to contact Unite Students about any accommodation issues. The best way is through the Unite Students App.
Q. Can I apply for accommodation if I choose Aston as my insurance choice?
A. Aston University welcomes applications from Insurance and Clearing applicants who are offered a place at Aston University (using their 9 digit Aston Student Number) and Aston guarantees accommodation to students applying through clearing for September 2026.
Q. Are there rooms for Postgraduate students starting in January 2026 or January 2027?
A. Yes, we have 50 rooms set aside for students starting in January. Apply through the portal in the normal way.
Q. Are there rooms for Postgraduate students starting in April?
A. Please contact the accommodation team directly to enquire about room availability for April starters. We endeavour to find rooms for all students where possible. Email accom@aston.ac.uk or phone 0121 204 3618
Accommodation offer
Q. When will I receive my offer of a room booking?
A. Providing you fulfil the criteria of the allocation policy, from May 2026, new students will receive a room offer booking once they receive an unconditional course offer which has been accepted with the University. This may be after A-level
Returning students booking one of the limited rooms available in William Murdoch will normally receive an offer within 3 working days (apart from official holiday periods) of applying.
Remember to keep an eye on your online accommodation account and your emails. Please make sure emails from aston.ac.uk and unitestudents.com are not going to your junk email folder.
Q. Can I view the room offered to me before I accept the offer
A. For a physical viewing, please contact Unite Students directly. You may be shown a similar room to the one allocated if yours is unavailable. You can look at our accommodation via virtual tours in James Watt and William Murdoch.
Q. Do I have to pay a deposit?
A. No – but you need to pay an advance fee of £250.00 to Unite Students. They will contact you to take the payment. This will be deducted from your first payment instalment.
Q. Who is guarantor? Can I book a room without guarantor?
A. A guarantor is someone over the age of 25 who takes joint financial responsibility for your tenancy. If you are unable to pay, it is your guarantor's responsibility to do so. Your guarantor will be listed in the tenancy agreement and also has to accept their own agreement. Unfortunately you won’t be able to proceed with booking if you do not provide a guarantor. The guarantor does not have to be from the UK. There are companies that offer guarantor services; however, they will charge a fee. Read the terms and conditions carefully.
Q. Why didn’t I get my first choice accommodation?
A. We always endeavour to allocate students their first choice, but unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee to do so as demand always exceeds supply making it difficult at time of allocation.
Q. What’s the difference between a 5 bed and a 7 bed flat?
A. 5-bed flats have larger rooms and larger ¾ sized beds. 7-bed flats have smaller rooms and single beds. Both have ensuite shower and toilet and a shared kitchen facility.
Q. Can I cancel my accommodation and get a refund?
A. Once you have accepted your room booking, you have entered into an agreement with Unite Students. You may cancel your booking by writing or sending an e-mail, at any time during the 7 days after they send you an e-mail confirming your booking is complete (the “7 Day Cooling-Off Period”). If you do that, they will make no charge and will return your any deposit or any payment of advance rent to you. Provided the 7 Day Cooling-Off-Period has expired, you will have to pay all amounts due under your Tenancy Agreement unless a replacement Tenant is found for your Room or you enter into a new Tenancy. Please refer to the cancellation policy from Unite Student’s website. If you don't take up your place at Aston University, you may be eligible for the No Place - No Pay policy from Unite Students.
Q. My room offer booking has been cancelled what can I do?
A. Once your room is confirmed by the University, you will be sent a booking link within 24 hours by Unite Students. If you do not click on the booking link sent to you by Unite Students within 3 days, your offer will be automatically cancelled. If you still want to live on campus you should go online and make another accommodation application and we will endeavour to allocate you another room but you will not be considered as a guarantee applicant.
Q. Am I able to transfer to another room if I am not happy with the one allocated to me?
A. Unfortunately we cannot arrange any room changes prior to arrival. You may, if you wish, reject your room offer and reapply. However, you will go to the back of the queue and will no longer be guaranteed a room.
If you are not happy with your room/flat after you arrive, please contact Unite Students by going to the Unite Students 'Aston Student Village' reception. Please do not contact the University Accommodation Office as we cannot make these sort of changes. Aston Student Village reception is in the Harriet Martineau building by Costa Coffee and Tesco on Aston Street.
Please bear in mind that Unite will only be able to offer you a room swap, which will require another student who also wishes to move rooms.
Q. Where should I go if I have a query about my accommodation when I arrive?
A. If you have query about your accommodation when you arrive you can visit Unite Students at Aston Unite Students reception in the Harriet Martineau building next to Costa Coffee on Aston Street.
Q. Can I find out the names of my flatmates before I move in?
A. If you download Unite Students App, you have the opportunity to meet people in your flat once your booking is completed.
Q. Can I extend my Tenancy?
A. If you wish to extend your Tenancy, we have Summer accommodation for students whose courses extend beyond their end date. Keep an eye on your emails as Unite Students may send you some communication before the end of your third term with details.
If you wish to stay in Unite Students accommodation as a returning student in 2027/28, applications open on their website in November 2026. The University also has a limited number of rooms for returning students. These can be booked from January 2027 or by contacting the accommodation team to extend your contract for another year from November 2026.
Q. What happens if I don't get my VISA as an international student?
A. Unless you have already collected the keys to the accommodation, you may cancel your booking by contacting accom@aston.ac.uk, at any time during the 7 days after Unite Students send you an e-mail confirming your booking is complete (the “7 Day Cooling-Off Period”). Once the cooling off period after signing the tenancy agreement has expired, the Tenant remains liable for the rent for the whole length of the tenancy unless they want to cancel with the following conditions:
-
No Visa No Pay: if the student doesn’t get their visa to come and study in the UK, the student must send the accommodation team at Aston the visa application rejection letter within 7 days of receiving it. On receipt of the required documentation, it will be verified and, provided we are satisfied, we will contact Unite Students to cancel your Tenancy Agreement and refund any deposit or advance rent paid in full. This option shall not be available after the 31st August in the year the Tenancy Start Date is due to occur.
Paying for University Accommodation
Q. When are accommodation payments due?
A. This will be detailed as part of your tenancy agreement that will be emailed to you. They are normally termly or all in one go. Monthly payments are not an option.
Please note that all payments for accommodation must be made to Unite Students, not Aston University.
Q. I haven't paid rent yet, can I still move in?
A. Your first instalment must be paid before check-in. You may not be able to check-in if you have not paid. It's really important that your rent is paid on time. Your first instalment before moving in covers the first part of your tenancy. If you are waiting for a Student Maintenance Loan payment to cover your first instalment, please contact Unite Students with proof of the payment and the date it will be received. They can then adjust your payment schedule.
Internet access
Q. Can I connect to the Internet in my room?
A. Yes, there is free Internet and Wifi access in all rooms.
Travel and parking
Q. How far is the accommodation from the University?
A. All of our accommodation is located on the University campus.
Q. Is there any student car parking available on campus?
A. No, students are discouraged from bringing cars with them. Birmingham offers a wide variety of public transport, all of which is very close to campus.
Students who have a blue badge are invited to contact the Disability and Neurodiversity Support Team.
Students with disabilities and additional needs
Q. I have a disability – will this be taken into consideration when I apply for accommodation?
A. Yes, we take into consideration any disability you may have. We have a number of rooms for students with wheelchairs, mobility issues, hearing or visual impairments and other neurodiverse issues. Please contact the Disability and Neurodiversity Support Team before making an application so they can assess what is required, liaise with the accommodation team to make the booking and who can help with making the transition to Aston University.
Other university accommodation FAQs
Q. Is accommodation safe following Covid-19?
A. Please visit the Unite Students website to see how they are making their accommodation safe and the support
Q. Can I find out who my flatmates are before I arrive?
A. Yes, you can use the Chat facility on the Unite Students App to connect to your flatmates before you move in.
Q. If I have a maintenance problem who do I report it to?
A. All maintenance issues should be reported via Unite Students Reception in the Aston Student Village reception in the Harriet Martineau building , by phone (0117 302 7358) or via the Unite Students App. The app is the fastest and most efficient way to register your issue.
Q. What do I need to bring with me to get the key to my room/flat?
A. Bring photographic ID for example your passport or Driving Licence. You should also bring a copy of your customer booking confirmation email which contains your booking reference number.
Q. What is already in my flat and what do I need to bring with me?
What you will find in your flat
| Kitchen | Bedroom | Bathroom | Everything else! |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining table | Desk | Shower | Vacuum cleaner |
| Chairs | Study chair | Shower curtain | Mop and bucket |
| Cooker with oven, hob | Wardrobe | Toilet | Dustpan and brush |
| Microwave | Noticeboard | Toilet roll holder | Iron and ironing board |
| Fridge/freezer - one shelf per student | Bookshelf | Toilet rail | |
| Storage units - one cupboard with a drawer each | Mirror | ||
| Kettle | Wastepaper bin | ||
| Toaster | Curtains | ||
| Under bed storage |
A. you will need to bring your own bedding and kitchen utensils. Alternatively, you can buy Bedding Packs, Kitchen Packs or All-in-One Packs from Unite Students which will be waiting for you when you arrive.
Q. Is there a launderette on campus?
A. There are launderettes located on campus, within the accommodation blocks, for you to use. They are operated via the Unite Students App.
Q. Where do I collect my mail?
A. Letters are delivered direct to the post boxes in the halls of residence. If you receive a parcel delivery, you will be notified of its arrival and instructions to collect by email or via the Unite Students App. The email address they will use is the one you used to make your Unite Students booking. You will be asked to come to Unite Students Reception in the Harriet Martineau Building between certain times, normally 11:00 – 18:00hrs Monday – Friday and 11:00-16:00hrs Saturday and Sunday.
Q. Can I have guests in my room?
A. Please
Q. Can you store my luggage if I get it delivered to site before I arrive?
A. As Unite will be preparing the room for your arrival, they will not be able to store any luggage for you before you arrive.
Q. Do I need to buy contents insurance for my room?
A. When you book with Unite Students, the personal items inside your room are automatically insured against fire, flood, theft and accidental damage by our partners Endsleigh. You can check what is covered in your policy here. It is advisable to get extra insurance for high value items you regularly take out of your room such as phones or laptops.
Q. Does the cladding on the students' accommodation properties pass combustibility tests?
A. Following the recent tragedy at Grenfell Tower, the owners of our on-campus student accommodation, Unite Students, conducted a thorough review of the cladding systems currently in use.
Unite’s Estates and Maintenance Technical Manager has completed a full survey of each property and has confirmed that they do not have any properties with the same brand of external cladding as the material used on the Grenfell tower, or indeed any buildings of a comparable structure to Grenfell.
However, the safety of our students is paramount and as a proactive measure Unite are working alongside Government specialists to review properties that have external cladding in situ. This will allow us to ensure that all fire prevention and mitigation measures are in place (such as passive fire stopping) to provide further reassurance.
Q. What if I want to live off campus?
A. If you would like to live off campus in one of the many properties close by or across the city, then please visit Aston Student Homes to view a large selection of other options. Aston Students’ Union also has its own student accommodation (Aston Green) and further information can be found here.
Aston Student Homes, the official Students’ Union accommodation support service located on the first floor of the Union, is where you can discuss all issues relating to your accommodation search. You can also email the staff based there at astonstudenthomes@aston.ac.uk
Q. Can I cancel my accommodation contract?
A. All accommodation on and around the Aston University campus is offered by private providers. As the University does not own the accommodation, only the private providers can make decisions about releasing students from contracts or pausing rent payments.