By phone: +44 (0)121 414 8000
ugradaccom@bham.ac.uk for undergraduates and pgradaccom@bham.ac.uk for postgraduates
Hallsugradaccom@bham.ac.uk for undergraduates and pgradaccom@bham.ac.uk for postgraduates
It's usually 5 people per flat, and a 42 week contract, so you don't have to move out in the holidays.
The flat has a common front door, but you have your own bedroom with a door which has a lock (and bathroom if it is ensuite).
You share the kitchen and living room space. There are not usually locks on the cupboards.
Depending on the hall, there may be more people per flat. For example, Pritchatts House has 18 in a few cases.
Flats are organised into blocks. Flat front doors might open onto an internal area such as in Maple Bank, or onto an external area such as Mason. Internal areas are usually accessed by a key code or swipe card.
Parking/bringing a car - it's not advised but there may be reasons in which you would want to. Read what the university says.
There are stores for bikes, and lots of places to lock them on the main campus - a map is here.
Extras
There is no regular cleaning organised, although you can usually pay for some to be carried out. No need though; just keep it clean.
Internet (also wifi in most halls now) and contents insurance is included. The standard package of internet is usually more than fast enough, but you can upgrade if you feel the need.
Meal plan (catered) students - you will likely get your evening meal in the Hub on the Vale, but you can also spend the money in the university's own outlets on campus.
You may be allowed guests to stay. The hall will likely have official rules (such as no more than 2 guests for more than 2 nights a week), including requirements to let them know, because of fire regulations.
Launderettes are in or near most halls. Depending on the location it might be paid for by cash or launderette card.
Drama students - the timetable for the shuttle bus to your campus will be linked to when it is available. The one for the 12/13 academic year is viewable here.
The Vale
One of the largest student villages.
There is a shuttle bus for this village to the main campus - the timetable for the 12/13 year is here to give you an idea.
Also where the catered accommodation is, in the Hub, and the Mentor office.
Allocation
If you are under the freshers' guarantee scheme you are guaranteed an offer of accommodation in halls.
It's allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority to unconditional offer students, then conditional firm students, then insurance students. Students with special requirements also have priority.
A significant number of students probably won't get their 1st choice. You can seek out tonnes of anecdotes from previous years of your friend's friend who was an insurance student and got placed in a particular hall etc, but it changes from year to year, so just wait and see. Don't be too upset if you don't get one of your higher choices though, as it's more about the people. In some cases students could find themselves in a hall they hadn't put as a choice, and will most likely still love it (it's still university after all).
If you prioritise the Vale, you might find yourself offered a meal plan contract even if you did not opt for this. You cannot accept this without the meal plan, as there is a certain number of contracts for catered students.
Likewise if you opt for the same hall twice (choosing both the catered and self-catered options), if you are allocated it, it'll likely be a place that includes the catered meal plan.
Timeline to moving in
- You will have already applied.
- Results day (15th August) - you confirm you are attending the university. Register online.
- Offer at least within 14 days of results day (by 29th August) - sent to your usual email account.
- If you don't like your option, you don't have to accept it. If you do move in to an "unwanted" hall then there is a small chance of transferring, but definitely do not rely on this.
- If you choose to accept, you must pay the pre-payment of £550 within 4 days of the offer [Note: 3rd party halls allocated through the university will likely differ on this]
- If this causes problems with cash flow, students are advised to take out a student bank account with an overdraft once their place is confirmed in order to make the payment.
- Unconditional students will have received their offers in June/July, and will need to accept and pay their pre-payment within 4 days also.
- Terms and conditions of your offer of university accommodation
- You'll be able to join a facebook group for your hall, as well as the official freshers page. A list of those will be linked to on this page. You can also find your flatmates using a facebook app made by the Guild of Students and the Student Mentor Scheme: Flatmate Finder.
- Find out what you need to bring in the offer pack. International students can buy a bedding pack online here which will be placed in your room.
- Moving in weekend (21st and 22nd September).
To be continued in freshers...
