Guide to Finding Student Accommodation in Clearing
If you managed to snag a university place through Clearing, congratulations! Now is a very exciting time to find out more about your chosen university, from the city to the societies and, importantly, the accommodation.
Finding Clearing accommodation may feel like a daunting task, and you may be worried that all the ‘good’ accommodation has already been snapped up, but don’t panic! You probably have way more options than you think. Let’s take a look…
Introduction to Clearing and Accommodation Process#
What is Clearing?#
University Clearing is a system where uni applicants can be matched to universities with places yet to be filled. If you’ve made a UCAS undergraduate application but don’t have a place at uni (for instance, if you miss out on the results you wanted on A-level results day, or if you change your mind about the offers open to you), you’re eligible to enter the Clearing process using the UCAS Clearing tool.
Importance of securing accommodation through Clearing#
Most unis open accommodation applications on a first-come, first-served basis, so applicants who secured their places through their initial UCAS application will be given priority.
The sooner you can confirm your Clearing place, the sooner you can apply for accommodation, so it pays to get your application in quickly for the best chance of bagging the accommodation you want.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Clearing Accommodation#
Checking availability: university halls vs private housing#
Most students prefer to live in university halls in Freshers year, as they tend to be better value for money, closer to the uni and you’ll be living with fellow students. Once you’ve accepted your Clearing place, most unis will invite you to their student portal to allow you to browse the Clearing accommodation options and apply for the one that best suits your needs.
If you’re applying later into the Clearing process, you may need to look at private housing. Many unis will have groups on social media or within the student portal so you can buddy up with other students in your position to find private housing together.
Application process: timeline and essential documents#
As with most parts of the Clearing process, finding Clearing accommodation is fast and furious! The earliest Clearing applicants get the most choice and will stand the best chance of securing suitable student accommodation, so don’t delay if you’re looking for something specific (such as student halls near your department, or catered halls). If you’re super organised, you could have your accommodation sorted within hours.
In terms of documentation, you’ll need to provide ID (such as a passport or driving licence), your university offer letter and any letters confirming your student loan (or bank statements for yourself/your parents proving you can pay for your accommodation).
Understanding Your Options: Types of Student Accommodation Post-Clearing#
Comparison of university halls, private halls, and shared houses#
There are three main types of Clearing accommodation to consider:
- University halls: these are owned by your university and will only house students from your university. The majority of students choose university halls for Freshers year
- Private halls: these are run by a third-party company, and will often house students from multiple universities (e.g. University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, or multiple London universities). These are usually more expensive than university halls, but often have better facilities
- Shared houses: these are managed by private landlords or agencies, and may house students and/or working adults. The price will vary based on the location, size and quality of the house you choose
Special considerations: Location, cost and facilities
Three of the top considerations for any student looking for Clearing accommodation should be:
- Location: do you want to live close to your uni department or nearer certain facilities? How long will it take you to travel to lectures or society events? Do you want good public transport links?
- Cost: how much can you afford? What maintenance loan can you get? Are you entitled to any bursaries? Will your parents help you with accommodation costs? How much do you expect to spend on bills, food and transport?
- Facilities: do you want to live close to the library, the gym or the Student Union bar? Do you mind sharing a bathroom or do you want an en suite? Do you want to be near your city’s nightlife or somewhere quieter? Do you want on-site laundry facilities?
Cost Analysis: Budgeting for Your Clearing Accommodation#
Affordable options for students#
Finding good Clearing accommodation that suits your budget is crucial – you definitely don’t want to spend your entire Freshers year worrying about paying the rent!
- If you’re looking for more affordable Clearing accommodation options, there are a few ways to keep costs down:
- The further you go from uni, the cheaper the accommodation is likely to be
- Self-catered halls are almost always cheaper than catered halls
- Choose a shared room in halls
Hidden costs in accommodation contracts#
Read your student accommodation contract closely to make sure you don’t miss any hidden costs. In university halls, most of your costs will be included, but in private, shared housing, some of the things to look out for include:
- Bills (heating, water, internet)
- Council tax (all-student houses don’t need to pay council tax)
- Cleaning (some landlords include cleaning services in the rent)
- Damage deposits (if there is any damage at the end of the tenancy, you will need to pay for it)
Financial assistance and scholarships
If your student loan doesn’t cover your accommodation costs, your parents may be expected to help out. If they can’t, or you still have costs to pay, consider speaking to the university to ask about any financial assistance, or look at Unite Foundation scholarships for extra help.
Navigating the Challenges: Finding Accommodation After Clearing Deadlines#
Late application strategies#
Speed is the name of the game when you’re applying for Clearing accommodation. Remember there could be hundreds of applicants applying for accommodation at your uni, so be quick off the mark to maximise your options. For instance, the University of Sussex reserves 350 places for Clearing applicants, so the earlier you apply, the more of those places will be available.
Also, be open minded. It’s not a disaster if you don’t get the halls with the on-site gym, and an extra 10-minute walk to your lectures isn’t the end of the world. The more flexible you can be, the more likely you are to find accommodation you’re happy with.
Alternative housing solutions if initial options are full#
If your first choices are full, don’t panic! Join your uni’s Facebook Freshers group to see if you can find anyone looking to fill a room in their shared house, or see if anyone wants to form a group to find a house together.
Depending on where you live, you could also commute from home for the first few weeks, find a private room to rent on SpareRoom or post on The Student Room’s Find A Flatmate forum.
Securing Your Place: Essential Tips for a Smooth Application Process#
How to improve your chances of getting preferred accommodation#
Some unis, such as Swansea University, guarantee Clearing students a place in university halls, so if you’re especially worried about it, choose one of these unis to reduce your accommodation stress.
If you have any questions, contact your uni’s accommodation department directly for a speedy answer. They will also have the most up-to-date information about accommodation, so they can steer you towards the best remaining options.
Dos and Don'ts in the application procedure
Do: call the uni’s accommodation department with any questions
Don’t: waste time waiting for answers via email!
Do: move fast for the most choice
Don’t: hang around to avoid disappointment
Do: ask for help – your uni wants you to be happy with your choice!
Don’t: struggle in silence – help is always available
Living Arrangements: What to Expect in Your New Home#
Adjusting to living with new flatmates#
Absolutely everyone feels nervous before they move away for uni, so it can help to have some familiar faces. Some uni halls and courses will set up Facebook or WhatsApp groups to help students get to know each other before making the move, so see if there’s anything you can join to get to know people before you arrive.
Living with new people always requires a bit of compromise, but as long as you’re friendly, clean up after yourself, don’t steal flatmates’ food and aren’t too noisy, you shouldn’t have too many issues!
Making the most of university life outside the lecture theatre#
Uni life is what you make it, and there are plenty of opportunities to have fun! Be friendly and open to getting to know new people, and consider asking your new flatmates to join you for Freshers activities or nights out.
You should also head to your Freshers Fair to explore the societies on offer, pop into your Student Union bar and venture out into town to check out the local bars, clubs and music venues.
Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Your Tenancy Agreement#
Key points every student should look for in their contract#
It may be boring, but it’s super important to thoroughly review your accommodation contract. Some of the key points to look out for include:
- Visitors: are you allowed visitors, how long can they stay for, and how do you sign them in?
- Parties: are parties allowed?
- Quiet hours: do your halls have quiet hours, and what happens if you break them?
- Cleaning: which areas are visited by a cleaning service, and which areas are you responsible for?
- Fees: what are the fees if anything is damaged?
- Repairs: who is responsible for repairs to private and common areas?
- Break clause: are you able to end your contract early, and if so, is there a cost involved?
Changing rooms or opting out – processes and implications
99% of the time, everything goes smoothly, but occasionally, someone will want to change their accommodation, whether that’s swapping rooms or moving halls entirely.
If this is the case, contact your uni’s accommodation department as soon as possible. They can advise if there are other rooms available and what the timeline might look like. Just be aware that you might need to pay an admin fee, and you will also need to start again with meeting your new flatmates.
Preparing for Move-In Day: A Comprehensive Checklist#
Personal essentials and household items to pack#
Your specific packing list will depend on the type of accommodation you choose (e.g. catered vs self-catered or halls vs a shared house), but typically, you will need:
- Bedding (duvet, pillows, sheets, bedding sets)
- Kitchen equipment (plates, bowls, pots, pans, cutlery, glasses, mugs)
- Clothes (including any fancy dress for Freshers events!)
- Toiletries
- Washing powder/gel/pods and fabric conditioner
- A suitcase or holdall for weekend trips home
- Books
- Laptop
- Food staples (to avoid a mad rush to the supermarket on your first day!)
- Room decor (photos, plants, fairy lights, artwork, rugs)
- Important documentation (such as your uni offer letter, ID and bank cards)
Still worried you might forget something? Check out our even more comprehensive checklist!
Arriving at your new accommodation: first steps#
When you arrive, it can be tempting to head straight out to explore your new uni – but don’t be too hasty! This is your perfect opportunity to meet your new flatmates as they arrive, so while you’re unpacking, keep an eye out for new people turning up.
1. Head to one of the uni reps, who will give you your keys and tell you where to find your room
2. Head to your room and unpack as much as you can – rope your family in if possible!
3. Leave your door propped open so any arriving flatmates can say hello
4. Once your family has left, knock on some doors, find excuses to hang out in communal areas (like the kitchen or common room) and message anyone you’ve been talking to on social media to see if they’ve arrived yet
5. Familiarise yourself with your halls, such as where the laundry room is, where the dining room is (if you’re in catered halls) or where the printers are
6. Even if you’re feeling homesick, try your hardest not to shut yourself away in your room. Everyone is in the same boat, and you’ll feel much better if you make an effort to socialise and get to know your new flatmates
Even if you’re finding Clearing accommodation, there’s no need to worry. As long as you’re quick and organised, it’s very likely you’ll secure a great place to live, and before you know it, it’ll feel like you were never meant to be anywhere else!
