- Last updated: February 2024
- Next Review: January 2025
1. Introduction and purpose
1.1. St Mary’s University (“the University”) realizes the need of many students for residential student accommodation that allows them to study and to participate fully in all aspects of University life. In recognition of this, the University provides eligible students with a guarantee of University accommodation outlined within the terms of this Accommodation Allocation Policy (“the Policy”).
1.2. The Accommodation Service aims to meet students’ accommodation requirements through the allocation of University-managed accommodation, by facilitating access to privately rented accommodation and through the provision of advice and student support regarding residential matters.
1.3. The Policy refers to accommodation that is applied for through the University Accommodation Service and consists of rooms either managed by the University or by a private provider or landlord, hereinafter referred to as University Accommodation. Students should refer to the University website www.stmarys.ac.uk/accommodation for details on University accommodation that may be applied for and allocated by the University.
1.4. This Policy aims to provide transparency to students in the way the University allocates University accommodation and how the demands are prioritised.
1.5. This policy is reviewed annually and may be subject to changes, which are communicated through the University website.
2. Application
2.1. The application and allocation process is managed by the Accommodation Service based on student data received from the Admissions Office, the Registry, information submitted via the Online Process, advice from the University’s Wellbeing Service and the St Mary’s International Office.
2.2. The online accommodation application process (“the Online Process”) opens in spring of each year; the specific date is advertised through the University website. Prospective students who are Eligible (clause 3.2.1) to apply should receive an email invitation with a link. Full instructions for the Online Process are also advertised on our website.
2.3. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as some room types may be more popular and are therefore often over-subscribed.
2.4. For applications to be considered the full Online Process must be completed and an application submitted. Applicants are provided with applicable Terms and Conditions, including a Privacy Notice, which must be agreed to as part of the application process.
2.5 University Accommodation consists of rooms managed by either the University or by a private provider. Students who accept University Accommodation managed by a private provider are subject to the terms and conditions of the private provider’s tenancy agreement, which may differ from the terms of the Campus Licence Agreement.
3. Allocation
3.1 The allocation process commences during the summer and University accommodation allocations are processed primarily on a first-come, first-served basis, and subject to the availability of room types at the time of allocation. Applicants are contacted by e-mail after the end of the guarantee period with the outcome of their accommodation application.
3.2 Places in University accommodation are allocated according to the University Accommodation Guarantee and the priority categories detailed below.
University Accommodation Guarantee
3.2.1 The University guarantees to offer a place in University accommodation to applicants who fulfil all of the following eligibility criteria (“Eligible”). These include applicants who:
- (i) hold either a conditional or unconditional offer and have made the University their First (Firm) choice University
- (ii) join the University for the first time in their first year of an undergraduate or foundation course
- (iii) study full-time for the duration of an accommodation licence period or tenancy contract
- (iv) have not previously studied at the University or lived in University Accommodation
- (v) live over 10 miles from the University
- (vi) have submitted an online application for accommodation by the deadline midday 9th June 2024 (the “Deadline”).
3.2.2 Please note the health, safety and wellbeing of students, colleagues and the wider community is our top priority. Therefore, to comply with any measures and guidance issued by the UK Government, Public Health England (PHE) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in response to risks to public health, the University may not be able to guarantee you an offer of University Accommodation. In such an event, the Accommodation Service will advise on the options set out in 3.2.3 below.
3.2.3 In the event the number of applicants eligible for the guarantee of University accommodation exceeds the number of available rooms, the Accommodation Service will;
- (a) seek to secure additional private accommodation that would be suitable for St Mary’s University students;
- (b) offer temporary ‘twin’ or ‘triple’ rooms in suitably sized accommodation, until an alternative room in University accommodation becomes available; or
- (c) assist in sourcing temporary or permanent external accommodation that will allow students to attend the University.
3.2.3 Applicants and students who will be studying full-time, but do not meet all of the above eligibility criteria for guaranteed accommodation, may still apply as per sections (c) (d) (e) below. However, priority is given to applicants who meet all eligibility criteria. The Accommodation Service endeavours to accommodate all applicants who request it, subject to availability.
Priority categories
a) Applicants with specific requirements
Applicants with a disability or support needs
3.3 Applicants who, due to the nature of their disability, would not be able to study at the University unless they were offered University accommodation that is suitable for their requirements, are considered a priority. Where appropriate, University Accommodation may also be available in subsequent years of study.
3.4 Please see St Mary’s ‘Adapted Campus Accommodation Provision’ guidance for further information on eligibility criteria and instruction on how to apply.
3.5 Any requirement (i.e. room adaptation, location, type, dietary requirement or specialist equipment i.e. a fridge for medication, accessible room, ensuite, etc.) must be disclosed when completing the online process. If an applicant fails to disclose this information or only does so after they have been allocated accommodation or have been placed on a waiting list, the Accommodation Service may not be able to make a new offer of accommodation.
Care leavers, estranged students, and young adults at risk
3.6 Care leavers, estranged students and young adults at risk are required to inform the Accommodation Service of their requirements and provide sufficient supporting evidence by the Deadline for completing the online process to be considered a priority applicant. Where appropriate, University Accommodation may also be available in subsequent years of study, subject to availability.
3.7 A limited number of rooms with extended licence periods are made available. Applicants who require accommodation during the Christmas closure period should select a 36-week inclusive licence as their 1st preference and note this requirement on their application. Offers for a room with a 36-week inclusive licence are subject to availability at time of allocation.
3.8 Students requiring University accommodation during the summer period may apply separately through Conferencing and Enterprise. Residents offered summer accommodation will be required to move from their term time room at the end of the 36-week licence period.
3.9 Students requiring Christmas accommodation who have accepted an offer for a 36-week standard licence period should notify the Accommodation Service at the earliest opportunity. In which case, every attempt will be made to source suitable external accommodation (e.g. hotel, b&b, homestay, etc.) during the Christmas closure period. However, this cannot be guaranteed and where accommodation is sourced on behalf of a resident, additional charges will apply for the duration of the stay to be paid directly to the third party by the student. The Accommodation Service are not obliged to provide accommodation during the Christmas Closure period for students on a 36-week standard licence and there is no right of occupancy during this period.
Applicants under the age of 18
3.10 Applicants who will be under the age of 18 when their course commences are considered a priority for suitable University accommodation provided they meet the conditions of the University accommodation guarantee, in line with the ‘Admissions Guidelines for Applicants and Students under the age of 18 Years’.
3.11 Registered students under the age of 18 years will not be offered a shared twin room. The University will aim to offer students under the age of 18 a room with en-suite facilities, but where this is not possible they will have shared bathroom facilities with other residents and their guests/visitors (who may be adults of the opposite sex).
3.12 St Mary’s University usually enters into contracts with students who are 18 years or over and therefore have the personal legal capacity to do so. Where a student is below that age, the University requires consent to be given from the parent/guardian of the student in respect of a guarantor agreement.
b) International students (including Study Abroad)
3.13 As per section 3.2.1(i) of this Policy, eligible full-time Undergraduate international students are guaranteed University accommodation if applied for by the Deadline. Eligible international students who apply after this date will be placed on a waiting list for an offer, pending availability.
3.14 Rooms for early arrival are made available to first-year undergraduate internationals who are required to arrive before the start of the standard licence dates in order to attend an international orientation programme.
3.15 International undergraduate applicants who require accommodation during the Christmas closure period should select the option of 36-week inclusive licence as their 1st preference and make note of their requirements during the Online Process. Students requiring University accommodation during the summer period and are offered a room through Conferencing and Enterprise in other areas will be required to move from their term time room at the end of the 36-week licence period.
3.16 A limited number of International Study Abroad students studying at the University for part of the academic year can apply for certain types of accommodation managed by the University. Homestay accommodation organised by the Accommodation Service may be offered as an alternative to Campus accommodation.
3.17 Every effort will be made to meet the requests for University accommodation for full-time international students not included in the guarantee (e.g. continuing, late applicants). Where this is not possible, relevant housing advice will be provided to enable the student to independently source alternative private rented accommodation.
c) Continuing students
3.18 The following categories of students may be considered for University Accommodation in their subsequent years of study, by prior agreement with the Accommodation Service:
- (i) Students with Specific Requirements as outlined in sections 3.3-3.12.
- (ii) Student Senior Residents (who are appointed by the Accommodation Service).
- (iii) Elite athletes where it is necessary to live on campus due to their training programme (selected by EPC coaches).
- (iv) Any other full-time student who is studying on an Undergraduate course, including students repeating their first year; if University accommodation remains available after all guaranteed applicants have received an offer, consideration will be given to all other groups named in this policy.
3.19 Continuing students will be ineligible to apply for University Accommodation if they have any current outstanding accommodation fees, have any historic late payments, have ever been served an NTQ while living in University residences or have been found to have engaged in any serious or persistent misconduct in accordance with the St Mary’s Student Disciplinary Procedure. This is including, but not limited to, breaches of the Campus Licence Agreement.
d) New undergraduate students ineligible under the University Accommodation Guarantee
3.20 New undergraduate students, who join the University on the 2nd or 3rd year of a programme (level 5 or 6) and are studying a full-time course, or who transfer to level 4 from a St Mary’s Foundation degree may still apply for University accommodation but will be placed on the Waiting List.
3.21 Prospective undergraduate students who are new to the University and are studying in their first year of a full-time course (level 4), holding a conditional or unconditional offer and have made the University their firm choice, but have missed the Deadline, may still apply for University accommodation to be placed on the Waiting List.
3.22 Students undertaking 90 credit hours or less in a single academic year, or who are registered on a distance learning programme or who are registered with a partnership programme are ineligible to apply University accommodation.
3.23 The online process remains open throughout the summer and applications are considered, subject to availability, on a first-come first-served basis. An applicant’s distance from and travel time to the University will be taken into consideration.
3.24 Where University accommodation is not available, the Accommodation Service will inform applicants as early as possible and will provide applicants with relevant housing advice will be provided to enable the student to independently source alternative private rented accommodation.
e) Late applicants/insurance offers/clearing students
3.25 Applicants are advised to check the University website and/or contact the Accommodation Service directly to ask for information regarding the availability of University Accommodation before applying. The Accommodation Service endeavours to offer accommodation to all eligible applicants, but those applying after the Deadline should be aware that the availability of accommodation varies each year and University Accommodation may not be available. In which case, applicants may apply to be placed on the Waiting List for University Accommodation and applicants will be given relevant housing advice will be provided to enable the student to independently source alternative private rented accommodation as an alternative to University accommodation.
3.26 Pending availability within University Accommodation, a limited clearing guarantee may be offered at the University's discretion. Details and limitations of any such clearing guarantee will be advertised on our website and applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with any stated application deadline or limitations.
4. General information
Additional details/requirements
4.1 All accommodation offers are for single occupancy only. Family or couple’s accommodation is not available as part of University accommodation; however, the Accommodation Service can provide relevant housing advice to enable the student to independently source appropriate private rented accommodation.
4.2 In the case of shared rooms, individual room offers are made to each applicant, who will be of the same gender.
4.3 The Accommodation Service will endeavour, where possible, to group applicants together with consideration to their course requirements, whilst obtaining a balance of genders from a range of courses in accommodation areas. If an applicant wishes to request accommodation that offers a single-gender area, this should be mentioned under ‘notes’ when completing the online process.
4.4 Some applicants may have non-standard course lengths, for example, Technical Theatre courses, PGCE courses, and January starts. A limited range of licence/tenancy lengths are available, applicants should check these carefully to ensure that they are suitable for their requirements.
4.5 The room types available for some groups of students to apply for may be restricted.
4.6 With the exception of room offers with a 36-week inclusive licence period, residents living in University managed accommodation are required to vacate during the University Christmas closure period. Belongings do not need to be removed at this time and no accommodation fees are charged for days where access is not permitted. Applicants who require University Accommodation over the Christmas period should select their preferences accordingly and specify this requirement during the online process and contact the Accommodation Service before their application is processed.
4.7 Applicants whose course requires them to undertake a placement will not be eligible for a refund for any time spent away from their accommodation or for any meals not taken if in catered accommodation. However, adjustments may be made regarding the times of day that the meal plan is available if requested in advance via the Catering Service.
Room offer
4.8 When accepting a room offer, applicants and students are entering a legally binding agreement. Where University accommodation is provided by a private provider or landlord, the student will be subject to the terms and conditions of the contract that they enter with the third-party provider.
4.9 Applicants are expected to accept the offer of a room by the expiry date stated in their Offer Email. A £300 deposit (the “Deposit”) is required as part of the acceptance process. If they fail to complete the acceptance process, including payment of the Deposit, their room offer will be rescinded.
4.10 Applicants whose Deposit payment is paid on their behalf by another organisation, with the prior agreement of the Accommodation Service (such as a sending institution for international students or a local authority for care leavers), should contact the Accommodation Service by email accommodation@stmarys.ac.uk before their offer expires.
4.11 If an applicant is guaranteed University Accommodation and they decline a room offer, the guarantee will be deemed as having been met. Where requested, the Accommodation Service will place the application on a waiting list and endeavour to provide a new room offer, subject to availability and in line with section 4.9 of this policy.
Waiting list
4.12 If the number of applications received exceeds the number of rooms available, a Waiting List will operate for applicants not covered by the guarantee. All applicants who have submitted an Online Application and have not been offered a place in University accommodation will automatically be placed on the Waiting List. As rooms become available offers will be sent out to applicants on the Waiting List first by medical need, then by distance from campus, and then in chronological order by date applicants were first entered. The University is usually able to offer all students on the Waiting List accommodation, but this cannot be guaranteed. The Accommodation Service are not able not disclose precise positions of applicants on the Waiting List.
Accommodation preferences
4.13 Although every effort is made to place applicants according to their preferences, the high demand for certain types of accommodation and/or locations and the limited number of rooms in each type of accommodation may result in applicants not receiving an offer in any of their preferences.
4.14 Allocations are made on a first- come, first- served basis, along with consideration for some priority groups, in line with this Policy and the availability of room types at the time of allocation. Once an offer for a room has been made, the guarantee is deemed to have been met and students cannot transfer their room allocation to a different room or residence.
4.15 An applicant rejecting an offer of University accommodation may request to be placed on a Waiting List and will only be considered for another room offer when all other unallocated Priority applicant groups have been made offers, which could be after A-level results or after the start of term and is not guaranteed.
Room transfers
4.16 Applicants will have the opportunity to request a transfer to a different room starting 4 weeks after they move in, subject to availability and payment of an Administration Charge (£50). All room transfers are subject to agreement by the Accommodation team. Applicants should refer to their licence agreement or contact the Accommodation Service for further details.
Licence agreement
4.17 Successful applicants will be provided a copy of their Licence Agreement when issued an offer of accommodation. Students are encouraged to read these terms carefully before providing an electronic signature to accept the offer. Accepting an offer forms a legally binding contract between the Student and the University. If you have any questions regarding the Licence terms, please contact accommodation@stmarys.ac.uk.
4.18 The Licence Agreement is generated during the offer process and is stored in a permanent, noneditable pdf accessible from the accommodation e-portal. Check your Licence Agreement.
Further information
If further information or clarification is required then students should in the first instance contact the Accommodation Service at accommodation@stmarys.ac.uk or 020 8240 4034.
Our address is:
Accommodation Office J208
Student Services
St Mary’s University
Waldegrave Road
Twickenham
TW1 4SX.