Online applications: FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about our online accommodation application process.

Am I guaranteed accommodation, and when should I apply?

If you are starting your course in September 2013, you should apply now.
New students who will be arriving to begin their course in Edinburgh at the start of the second Semester in January 2014 should apply online between October and 30 November 2013.
Remember that there are deadline dates if you qualify for our guarantee of accommodation, and take the time to ensure that you are making the right choices for you and that your application is completed in full.

Student types

Select your student type from the list below to see details of the housing options available to you, relevant guarantees, deadlines and how to apply for accommodation:

What if I defer my entry to University?

We do not carry accommodation applications - or offers of accommodation - over from one academic year to the next.

So, if you defer entry to University after you have made your accommodation application, you must (1) tell us that this is what you are doing, and (2) ensure you apply again in your chosen year of entry to University.
Similarly, if you have applied and been offered accommodation, and then defer entry, you must (1) reject the offer of accommodation, and (2) reapply in your chosen year of entry to University.
Accommodation Services will not hold the accommodation offer that you were originally made until you eventually come to University.

What if I am unable to apply online?

Send your contact details to the Allocations Division at Accommodation Services, who will send you an application form and details of alternative application arrangements.

Contacting Accommodation Services

How do you decide what accommodation to offer students?

We try to offer students the accommodation they have requested, and to this end places are filled proportionately - everyone has the same chance of being offered their first preference, regardless of when we deal with their application. However, because of fluctuations in supply and demand this can not be guaranteed.

Some types of accommodation are inevitably more popular than others, and we reserve the right to decide which type of University accommodation to offer you. Note that even if you give only one preference of accommodation, you may still be offered something different.

What if I want to be in accommodation with friends?

You should each provide the names of all the others on your application so that we are sure you all agree with this arrangement. However, if you are requesting accommodation that is particularly popular (and therefore has a lower success rate) or if the applications are not received together or become unconditional at different times, it may not be possible.

We will do our best for you, but there are no guarantees!

When will I find out the result of my application?

You will be notified as soon as possible - but please note that for students who are starting courses at the beginning of the first Semester in September, we do not normally send out any actual offers of accommodation before June.