Accommodation allocation policy 2021

Our accommodation

Students with disabilities

If you have a medical condition or disability which needs to be managed in specific accommodation, such as a hall of residence on a specific site, make sure you let us know as soon as possible before the deadline.

We consider each case on an individual basis. In order to do so we require applicants to disclose medical conditions, disability or specific requirements during the online application process and provide up-to-date medical evidence to support your case.

Appropriate medical evidence

Supporting evidence must be a letter which fully explains your condition, how the condition affects the way you live and why your condition is best supported in a hall of residence or in a specific type of room. It needs to be written in English by a certified medical practitioner. Medical evidence must be no more than 6–12 months old for variable conditions. You can view the guidance for medical practitioners online.

Medical evidence will be handled sensitively and may be shared with appropriate colleagues, in the interests of allocating the most suitable room for your needs.

We consider all evidence in the context of the Equality Act 2010 definition of a disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on the ability to do normal daily activities. 'Substantial' means more than minor or trivial and 'long-term' means 12 months or more.

Adaptations

We have some rooms that are suitable for students who use wheelchairs and mobility aids, and for people with visual and hearing impairments. If you require specialist equipment such as hoists, fridges or beds the university can provide some equipment, but you must make the accommodation service aware of your requirements at the earliest opportunity so that arrangements can be made. If there is a delay in providing the relevant information for your requirements, we cannot guarantee that relevant adaptations will be complete or specialist equipment provided by the start date of the tenancy. 

Adaptations to equipment such as bedroom units can usually be made to suit individual requirements, but major structural adaptations may not be possible. If you think you might need adaptations to your accommodation, contact us to arrange a visit to view the accommodation as early as possible.

If you do not declare your condition or disability in your application before the deadline but inform us later on, with sufficient medical evidence we may prioritise you for a room. We cannot guarantee, however, that one will become available. If you are not sure whether it is relevant to share your condition or not, please contact us so we can advise.

In special circumstances where a student would find it difficult or impossible to find suitable accommodation in the private sector, permission may be given for a continued stay within university accommodation. However, this will only be considered if the student would be unable to continue their studies unless they remained in university accommodation. A direct referral from the Disability and Dyslexia team recommending a specific allocation would be required.

Additional information

In September 2021 we look forward to opening our new Mithras Halls of Residence. Construction work is progressing well and we expect all allocated study bedrooms to be ready for occupancy in September. Please note, however, some continued construction work in the Lewes Road area may be required during the 2021–22 academic year. This could include, but is not limited to, completion of external building works and the development of the Lewes Road footbridge. As a result, there is the possibility of noise disturbance/disruption on site while the work takes place. The university will take reasonable steps to ensure the contractors carrying out these works will do so with due regard for the safety and comfort of residents.

Read our privacy statement.

Accommodation application and allocation - FAQS

How long will it take to complete my application?

It is quick and easy to complete your application; most students spend no more than 15 minutes on this process. You can access the online portal from a laptop, smartphone or tablet and you can always log in and amend your preferences should you wish to, so long as you do so before the application deadline.

If you need to submit additional documents in support of your application it is a good idea to have electronic copies of these ready to upload when you begin.

What should I do if I am under 18?

If you have applied on time, we will offer you a room in a university-managed residence if you are under 18 after 1 September.

If you have not applied in time please contact us and, although we cannot guarantee a room will become available, we may prioritise you for a vacancy should one arise.

Should I tell you if I am a care leaver or estranged from my family?

If you are a care leaver or are estranged from your family, please declare this during your accommodation application so that we can offer the most appropriate accommodation for your circumstances. This might be university-managed accommodation with a longer tenancy length, for example.

Provided your status is confirmed by the Student Support and Guidance team (care leavers) or the Student Advice team (estranged students) and you apply by the accommodation deadline, you will be made an offer of a room in university-managed accommodation. If you do not declare this information during your application but disclose this later, we may prioritise you for a room in university managed accommodation should a suitable vacancy arise.

We will also consider you for a university residence as a returning student if you request it, or help you to find suitable private rented sector accommodation.

To find out more about the help we offer, please contact the Widening Participation team if you are a new student (aboutuni@brighton.ac.uk 01273 641043) or Student Services if you are a current student (studentservices@brighton.ac.uk)

General information for care leavers is available here.

As a BSMS student, how do I apply?

Eligible* BSMS students studying for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery will be made an offer of a room in university-managed accommodation. Students can choose either University of Brighton accommodation at Paddock Field or University of Sussex accommodation at Lewes Court. Both options are within walking distance of the Medical School and contract lengths match the BSMS term. We cannot guarantee to offer you your first choice of accommodation.

I have missed the deadline; can I still apply?

If you miss the deadline please contact us for advice. We operate a priority waiting list for students who meet the following criteria:

• students who will be under 18 on 1 September 2021
• care leavers or students estranged from their family

• students with an evidenced medical condition or disability who would be unable to study successfully while living in the private rented sector (link to guidance for medical conditions above).

What if my course does not start in the autumn term?

If your course starts in February, please contact us for advice. We often have rooms available in halls and at this stage so if you contact us from 4 January onward we may be able to add you to a waiting list. Alternatively, we can share information with you to help you find a student house in the private sector.

Where should I live as a mature student?

Students aged 21 and over are classified by the university as mature students. If you are eligible to apply for accommodation but you are not sure that university managed accommodation is the best fit for you, please contact us for advice.

We tend to group students by age so if other mature students have applied we will try, wherever possible, to place you together in one flat.

Alternatively, we can provide information to help you secure accommodation in the private rented sector.

Can I apply for quiet accommodation?

We do not currently provide a specific site identified as a quiet area.