Accommodation

Halls of residence

As an undergraduate student coming to live in London, you will want to feel secure and comfortable in your accommodation. In partnership with third party accommodation providers, we have invested in new and refurbished halls of residence with private, modern study bedrooms and communal living spaces, where you can cook, relax and feel at home.

You also benefit from a community of fellow City students which provides a great opportunity to meet new people from different courses and backgrounds. All halls are within easy travelling distance of the University, are self-catered and offer computer and telephone points in every bedroom.

Special requirements

If you have any special requirements, please contact our Student Centre for confidential advice as soon as possible after you have received an offer of a place at City.

Applying for University accommodation

All prospective full-time students can apply for a place in halls. First year undergraduates who live outside the Greater London area are given priority. Apply for a place at a hall of residence.

Guaranteed rooms

The following information outlines our 2011 accommodation guarantee scheme. The terms may change for 2012, so please check our website before applying for University accommodation.

To be guaranteed a place in halls:

• You must firmly accept our offer of a place on a full-time course no later than 15 May
• Our Student Centre must receive your accommodation application by 15 May
• You must be resident outside the traditional boundaries of the Greater London area
• You must be aged 18 years or above at the time of taking up residence in the hall.

If you have accepted our conditional offer, your guaranteed place in halls will not be confirmed until the Student Centre has received notification that you have met the conditions of your offer of a place on the course. If you are holding City as an insurance offer and you change this to a firm acceptance before 15 May, you must inform the Student Centre so that the alteration can be recorded. Your application will not be guaranteed until you have done so.

In the summer, if you meet the conditions of your offer, have been accepted on a full-time course and are guaranteed accommodation, the Student Centre will confirm your place in halls.

If you fall outside the University's guarantee scheme, you may still be offered a hall place if there are rooms available. Please note that Liberty Court can accept students (on a case-by-case basis) who turn 18 years old within 6 weeks of the residence start date. Please contact the Accommodation Team in the Student Centre if you wish to discuss this further.

Cost of University accommodation

You can find further details about University accommodation costs here.

Private accommodation

If you do not have a place in halls, the Student Centre can provide information to help you find accommodation in the private sector. July and August are the best times to find private accommodation in London for the following academic year. Types of accommodation range from shared rooms to self-contained flats and prices vary accordingly.

If you do not have anywhere to stay in London while you search for a place, the Student Centre can send you a list of hostels or may be able to find you a temporary place in one of the halls of residence before your course begins.

Costs of private accommodation

Private accommodation in central London can be expensive. As the cost varies according to location and amenities, the following figures are only a guide. The figures are for 2010/11 and are likely to rise in subsequent years.

• Single room with shared bathroom and cooking facilities: from £95 per week
• Self-contained flat for two people: from £250 per week
• Single room in a hostel with some meals provided: from £175 per week
• Single room in a hostel with breakfast only: from £125 per week.

The cost of accommodation in the private sector does not include heating, lighting and hot water which will be charged in addition to your rent. Costs for accommodation for couples with children will normally be higher than these figures. Temporary accommodation in hotels, including breakfast but excluding other meals, is likely to cost at least £70 per day per person. For private accommodation you must be prepared to make a returnable deposit against damage, ranging from a week's to a month's rent and also to pay a month's rent in advance. You will also have to sign a contract, which would normally be for a minimum term of six months. Although you will find cheaper accommodation in areas outside central London, you should note that any savings may be offset by greater travelling costs.

Council tax

Most full-time students do not have to pay council tax. If you are sharing accommodation with non-students, you may be expected to contribute to the household's council tax bill.