Getting started
Applications
Applications for Halls of Residence should be completed online. The application form for the coming academic year is posted in April of that year and an exact date from which students can apply will be published on the Student Accommodation homepage from January.Application conditions
If you will be studying as a full-time, full year student with full-time mode of attendance, you should apply for a place as soon as you have firmly accepted either a conditional or unconditional offer of a course place. You cannot apply before you have firmly accepted the course place.
If you are an undergraduate student applying through Clearing, you will need to apply as soon as the University has accepted you on a course.
Note: Please be aware that due to a high demand for places in halls, the University is unable to guarantee a room in halls to any student. We therefore advise you to apply as early as possible.
What is provided in each Hall of Residence?
The Halls of Residence offer comfortable hostel accommodation. All halls are located within 20 minutes' commute to the University campuses by public transport. We also have on-site Halls of Residence at our Harrow and Marylebone Campuses.
In Halls of Residence, you will be surrounded by students from different disciplines, backgrounds and cultures, so it is easy to make friends. There are a limited number of twin and double rooms. If you wish to be considered for one of these, please include the name of your partner/sharer when you submit your online application.
As a resident, you are expected to keep your room and communal areas clean and tidy. Some cleaning of communal areas is provided in the halls.
If you wish to bring your own television, you will need to arrange your own television licence.
There is no long-term parking for cars. The halls are normally staffed by a receptionist during the day and a security guard at night. CCTV installations are provided at each of the halls to cover the entrance internally and externally, primarily for the protection of residents and staff and the monitoring and security of the premises.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are centrally heated and generally contain a single bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, storage drawer, bookshelf, bedside cabinet, mirror and washbasin.
Note: The following items will not be provided and you should bring them with you: blankets or duvet and cover, bed linen (sheets and pillowcases) and pillows.
Bedding packs
If you wish, before you arrive at the University, you can purchase your essential items through www.easybedpacks.com, a company that specialises in providing competitively priced packs that are tailored to the needs of new students. You may wish to consider ordering bedding, crockery or cutlery.
Ordering a bedding or kitchen pack is a great way of reducing the amount of stuff you bring with you and it removes all the hassle of shopping for the things you need.
How to order
You can view and order all of the packs and products available at www.easybedpacks.com
You can get a 10 per cent discount (University of Westminster students only) by entering the code WEST011 at checkout.
Your pack will be delivered to your hall, where hall staff will ensure that it is available for you when you arrive.
Kitchens
Each flat has a large kitchen/diner equipped with a cooker and hob, microwave oven, fridge-freezer, kettle, toaster, table and chairs and television aerial socket.
Depending on the Hall of Residence, kitchens are shared between a minimum of four and a maximum of eight students. Note: The following items will not be provided and you should bring them with you: cutlery, crockery, saucepans and cooking utensils. Heaters and cooking equipment are not permitted in rooms.
Bathrooms
Each shared bathroom contains a bath, shower, wash basin and a toilet. The en-suite rooms in Harrow and Marylebone Halls have a shower, wash basin and WC.
You will need to provide your own toiletries.
Wi-Fi internet access
All of the Halls of Residence have wireless internet access. The high speed network is accessible from all bedrooms and some communal areas.
Like any service, there are rules and regulations in place to ensure that students use the internet legally and responsibly.
Laundry facilities
You are responsible for your own laundry. University of Westminster Halls of Residence provide on-site launderettes with coin-operated washers and dryers. Irons and ironing boards are available on request.
Storage
There are limited storage facilities in each bedroom, so you are advised not to bring more belongings than necessary.
Insurance
If you are staying in University Of Westminster accommodation, then insurance has already been provided for basic items including a PC or laptop inside your room. The insurance is provided by Endsleigh. If you wish to view the policy document or add additional items to the insurance policy, including cover for items outside your room, please visit the Endsleigh website.
Rent and contracts
Halls of Residence
Undergraduate students are offered contracts that run until the end of the teaching year in early summer. Postgraduates also have the choice of a 51-week contract (Harrow and Wigram House only).
We also have a number of semester-only contracts, but these are controlled by the University Education Abroad team. Unfortunately no other contract lengths are available.
Rent must be paid for the full period in advance or in three instalments payable at the beginning of each term. You should ensure you have sufficient funds to pay the rent due. The cost of utilities, internet access and basic possessions insurance for your belongings are all included in the rent.
Students with contracts due to finish in May who wish to book accommodation in hall during the summer vacation can do so, subject to availability, through the University's Summer Accommodation Team once they have moved into hall. If you wish to do this, you will need to contact the Summer Accommodation Team directly.
Students whose studies extend beyond the beginning of September should be aware that they will not be able to stay in Halls of Residence beyond the end of the vacation period and must vacate before the commencement of the new academic year.
Download a sample Tenancy Agreement
Deposits
Halls of Residence deposits
In order to accept an offer of a place in halls, you will be required to sign a tenancy agreement and pay a reservation/damages deposit of £250. This will be repaid by cheque, in pound sterling, six to eight weeks after the end of the contract. Deductions will be made from deposits for any loss or damages, outstanding rent or administrative charges.
Please note that if you do not take up a place you have accepted, you will be liable for a £50 administration charge and rent until a replacement, designated by the University, has taken up the place.
Leaving your Halls of Residence
Students are advised to be aware that on signing a tenancy agreement, they are accepting the rent liability for the duration of its term. Should a student wish to leave halls before the end of their contract, they will be subject to the administrative charge and will be liable for the rent on their room until a replacement, designated by the University, has moved into their room. You should therefore inform the Student Accommodation Team in writing, as early as possible, if you wish to leave before the end of your contract.
