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Allocation policy

Read our allocation policy carefully to see whether you qualify for accommodation in halls of residence and for information on how places are allocated. With just over 2,000 bed spaces and 22,000 students, demand for campus accommodation does outstrip supply.

This policy applies to new students. Returning students will be considered for places if any are available, but due to the high demand, this is unlikely.

 

UK and EU first-year undergraduate students

Apply by the deadlines advertised and we will do our best to offer you a place in halls. However, due to the high demand and the popularity of our courses this is not always possible and you are not guaranteed a place in halls.

International students

If you are a first year international student paying overseas fees you will be guaranteed a place in halls if you apply and respond by the deadlines and have firmly accepted your academic offer.

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

If you are from the Channel Islands or Isle of Man you are guaranteed a place in university halls of residence if you apply and respond by the deadlines.

Postgraduate students

International students: you are guaranteed accommodation in halls for your first academic year if you if you apply and respond by the deadlines.

EU and UK students: you can apply for accommodation in halls but we are unable to guarantee an offer.

Students under 18

If you are going to be under 18 when you start your course the university will guarantee you a place in halls, if you meet advertised application deadlines.

Students with disabilities or special needs

Some of our accommodation is located in areas of uneven terrain and students will need to travel into urban centres for some recreational activities. The halls of residence are not warden-controlled, but they do have 24-hour security staff and residential advisers on site. They do provide a lively environment not suited to students who need a very quiet living space.

With just over 2,000 bed spaces and 22,000 students, demand for campus accommodation outstrips supply and students with a disability, medical condition or special need cannot be guaranteed a room. However we will consider and carefully assess each case and make every effort to meet the needs of students.

There are rooms in halls suitable for wheelchair users and those with hearing impairments. If you need specialist equipment like beds, hoists, fridges and heaters, the university may be able to provide you with some equipment. Further adaptations to hall units can usually be made to suit individual requirements, however, major structural adaptations may not be possible. If you believe you will need structural alterations to your accommodation, please contact us as early as possible to arrange to visit us.

If you would prefer accommodation in the private sector, the accommodation offices will try to identify properties which may be suitable.

If you would like your accommodation application to be considered on these grounds you must make us aware in the general notes section of your application or contact the disability and dyslexia team on 01273 643799 (or disability@brighton.ac.uk) to discuss what support can be provided.

Assessment criteria

We prioritise requests for our accommodation from students:

  • who have severe mobility difficulties or are registered disabled;
  • who are blind, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing to the extent that this causes them severe difficulties;
  • experiencing chronic health conditions which require close proximity to university buildings;
  • with a mental health or autistic spectrum condition.

We will send you a form to complete with more information on the policy and the criteria we use to determine whether you qualify for accommodation on the grounds of disability or additional need.

Information required

We require students to submit:

  • a letter from your doctor or medical practitioner which clearly details the reasons you need a university residence place;
  • a supporting letter from you explaining how your disability, medical condition or special need affects your day to day activities.

Your evidence will be considered by the accommodation and dyslexia and disability teams before a decision is made. Please note if the required documentation is not provided in good time, it will be difficult for us to meet your request for halls at a later stage.

Care leavers

If you are a care leaver and studying a full-time undergraduate course we will guarantee to accommodate you for the whole of your first year of study including Christmas, Easter and summer holidays if you apply by the deadlines.

Towards the end of your first year, you can get help finding private accommodation in the local area. More about the support available for care leavers.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) students

BSMS is a joint venture between the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex. We will send you information on accommodation options at both institutions when we invite you to apply for a residence place. If you firmly accept your academic offer and apply for accommodation by 8 August we will guarantee you accommodation.

Nursing students

All nursing students are eligible for a place in halls and should apply via the application process.  If you start in February, contact the accommodation office six weeks before the start of your course.

East or West Sussex residents 

Demand outstrips supply for university residences and as a result we exclude some students who can commute easily to campus sites from their home.  Therefore if you live in East or West Sussex you might not be eligible to apply for a hall place. Students studying courses based in Brighton are excluded if they live in one of the Brighton area postcode zones listed below. The same rule applies to students on courses based in Eastbourne or Hastings who reside in the Eastbourne, Brighton or Hastings postcode areas listed.

However we recognise that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances which we need to consider, such as an evidenced medical condition or additional need, poor transport links or other issues.  In these cases we would ask that you put your appeal in writing and include any evidence you feel we should take into account. Our aim is to respond within 10 working days with a decision on whether an application will be considered for the allocation process.

Brighton-based courses

If you live in one of the postcode areas shown below you will not be considered for a hall place.

BN1, BN2 and BN3 (Brighton & Hove)
BN5 and BN6 (Henfield and Hassocks areas)
BN7 and BN8 (Lewes and Ringmer areas)
BN9 and BN10 (Newhaven and Peacehaven areas)
BN11, BN12, BN13, BN14, BN15 (Lancing, Ferring and Worthing areas)

BN20, BN21, BN22, BN23, BN24 (Eastbourne area)
BN25 (Seaford area)
BN26 (Polegate area)
BN27 (Hailsham area)
BN41, BN42, BN43, BN44 and BN45 (Portslade, Shoreham, Steyning and Poynings areas)
RH15 (Burgess Hill area)

Eastbourne-based courses

If you live in one of the postcode areas shown below you will not be considered for a hall place.

BN1, BN2 & BN3 (Brighton area)
BN7, BN8 (Lewes area)
BN9 and BN10 (Newhaven and Peacehaven areas)
BN20, BN21, BN22, BN23, BN24 (Eastbourne area)
BN25 (Seaford area)
BN26 (Polegate area)
BN27 (Hailsham)
TN34, TN35 and TN36 (Hastings area)
TN37 and TN38 (St Leonards area)
TN39 and TN40 (Bexhill area)

Hastings-based courses

If you live in one of the postcode areas shown below you will not be considered for a hall place.

BN20, BN21, BN22, BN23, BN24 (Eastbourne area)
BN25 (Seaford area)
BN26 (Polegate area)
BN27 (Hailsham)
TN31 (Rye area)
TN32 (Robertsbridge area)
TN33 (Battle area)
TN34, TN35 and TN36 (Hastings area)
TN37 and TN38 (St Leonards area)
TN39 and TN40 (Bexhill area)

Students with dependants 

If you have dependants, please note that unfortunately, we do not currently have family accommodation in halls of residence.

Students on placements 

If you are on a placement in your first year which involves you moving away from Brighton, Eastbourne or Hastings, you will not be eligible to apply for halls of residence.

Insurance students and students in clearing

If you make us your insurance choice or apply through clearing you will not be considered for a halls place in the first round of allocation as we prioritise first year students who have made us their firm choice. There is a chance that accommodation could become available to you but any offer is likely to be last minute and cannot be guaranteed before the start of term. The accommodation service is primed and ready to help students and over the years we have evolved an effective house hunting service which makes use of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter , and house hunting 'meet ups' to good effect.

The service also provides support and tailored guidance from a team comprising experienced permanent staff and student assistants who have experienced house hunting first hand. Although we can't guarantee hall places, we can guarantee that students who engage with our service will find suitable affordable housing for the duration of their academic career.

Students at partner colleges

Some students studying at a partner college are eligible to apply for halls of residence if they are studying a course validated by the University of Brighton. You can check eligibility by visiting coursefinder and entering the course name.

You will need to meet the criteria and application dates relevant to you and to check any other key considerations which might affect your application. Please note that if you are on a placement in your first year which involves you moving away from Brighton, Eastbourne or Hastings, you will not be eligible to apply for halls of residence.