Dear Student,
Congratulations on choosing the Birmingham College in the UK as the place to carry out your studies.

Birmingham is an exciting city to live and study in and one which has rightly achieved considerable status. You will find here a wide range of cultural activities, a thriving nightlife and many local places of interest.

We are very aware at the College of the many issues facing students embarking on a college course, and where you are going to live is one of those important issues. I hope that this information pack or website assists you in acquiring the information you need about our range of accommodation.

We are also very proud of the varied accommodation we have to offer, which includes traditional Halls of Residence, new en-suite rooms and private accommodation. We have rooms designated for students with special needs, including facilities for carers, and a number of flats for students with small families.

In addition to details about each type of accommodation, you will also find an Application Form which you can either fill in by hand and post, or complete via the website. We would prefer a website application as it speeds up the process.

It is very important in either case that you complete and submit your Application Form without delay in order that we can make an allocation as soon as possible.If you do have any queries at all which are not answered within the frequently asked questions, please contact us via telephone or email, or visit our office. We are always happy to answer Questions.

Finally, may I wish you every success with your studies, as well as an enjoyable stay in Birmingham.

Yours faithfully,

Accommodation Officer

The place in which you live during your time in the United Kingdom is an important factor in determining how enjoyable your stay is. The information below should assist you in making your accommodation arrangements.

Upon request accommodation can be arranged near the College premises for international students. The accommodation can be arranged in a hostel or private sharing rooms with other students or as a paying guest with a local family. The weekly rent for this type of accommodation may range from A£65 to A£100. Some accommodations have a heating system and furnished rooms for A£65 per week or more and may include a weekly charge for cleaning, change of bed linen, lighting, heating, water heating and breakfast for a single room.

Many students prefer to stay in single or shared rooms in private flats in Birmingham, having a provision of self-catering thus having kitchen facilities. The weekly rent for this type of accommodations may range from A£30- A£50 per week.

Overseas students arriving in UK should inform Admission Officer of the College of any problems at least a month prior to their arrival. The International Admission Form must accompany a letter stating the type of accommodation required in Birmingham (hostel, flat, single, shared etc.) with a consent to pay the security and rent of one month, in advance, upon arrival in UK amounting to, at least, A£400. Any extra money is refundable to the student after payment of the appropriate rent and security for the accommodation.

The majority of students reserve accommodation for an initial period of 4 weeks. After the initial period they may extend the contract beyond the initially reserved period or shift to alternative, usually suitable accommodation.

The College will guarantee to source accommodation for all international students.

Any student considering bringing their family with them to Birmingham is advised to enquire well in advance, direct to the College Office. There is a limited amount of College managed accommodation for small families (i.e. a couple with one child): these consist predominantly of one-bedroom units, although there are a few two-bedroom flats.

The demand for family accommodation is high and, when applying, students will be placed on a waiting list until a suitable flat becomes available.
Under no circumstances should you agree to bring your family to the UK unless you have written confirmation of family accommodation either from the College or a landlord.

Hotels and guesthouses can be very expensive if you are forced to book your family into one.

It should also be noted that the College is normally unable to house accompanying spouses/partners in double rooms, unless both are to be fully registered students. Students are advised to contact the College as to the current position.

Students requiring such accommodation should discuss their needs with the College Office at an early stage before submitting an application.

Halls of residence
You will have your own study-bedroom but will share other facilities. Breakfast and evening meals are provided in the Hall. Special meals are available for students with particular religious or medical dietary requirements.

Self-catering flats
Each furnished flat consists of five or more individual study bedrooms with a shared bathroom and kitchen.

Private Sector Information
For those students who do not wish to live in Halls of Residence hired by the college, we have a list of properties which are available in the private sector. Whilst we monitor certificates for gas and electricity in respect of these properties we do not manage or inspect them. We do, however, ensure that property owners comply with a Code of Practice before registering their property with us.

If you are looking for accommodation in the private sector, then there is a good selection available in the local area: single flats; shared flats or houses for different-sized groups; properties for families; and lodgings with a resident landlord. The College Office can help find you something suitable.

We also operate a successful flat search scheme, which enables students to get in touch with one another before arrival, giving you the opportunity to rent houses in the private sector as a group.

The University has only a limited number of properties for students with families. However, we do have an established partnership with a local housing association, which owns and manages a portfolio of properties for those of you intending to bring your families with you to Birmingham. Most of these properties are located a short distance from the main campus. If you are travelling from abroad, then we advise you to travel to the UK alone initially, and arrange for your families to join you once suitable accommodation has been organised.

This lays down a set of undertakings about the way in which Landlords will manage and maintain student housing. It also suggests recommended furnishings which need to comply with statutory regulations to ensure their safety. Whilst there may be some variations in each house.
A typical Study Room is furnished with:

Sundry items that should be provided:

The Code of Practice is not a legal document but it does take into account existing Environmental Health legislation and minimum standards set by all of the Universities in Birmingham.

All private sector tenancy agreements are between the student and the property owner and any issues relating to the property should be taken up with the owner.

The College Office can provide lists of available private accommodation in Birmingham and the surrounding area, but it cannot undertake to arrange it for you. You are advised to check very carefully the legal obligations imposed upon you by landlords/ladies before signing a contract.
Further advice on this may be obtained from the College. You should note that most landlords/ladies require a caution deposit.

These properties are located all over the City and should be close to either Campus or bus or train routes.

Please note that you should seek independent advice before signing a Tenancy Agreement as this document is legally binding on both parties.

The College does not accept luggage in advance. Students who have been allocated housing may send luggage to their address, but should ensure that the luggage does not arrive before they do. You should inform the porter at your residence that you are sending luggage. You should make sure that you complete all the necessary Customs declarations when sending your luggage. Otherwise it may be delayed when it arrives in the UK.

Any letters mailed to you will be forwarded to you or your course tutor immediately. However, letters may be sent from family and friends direct to you via your residence address when this is known. In most cases, you will receive a Tenancy Agreement in advance of your arrival which will tell you what your term-time address will be. Mail can then be sent to you thus:

On-Campus

Off-campus

Prior to your arrival, you will be notified whether you have been successful in being allocated College-managed accommodation.

If there is sufficient time before your arrival, you will be sent a tenancy agreement by the College Office. The two white copies of the tenancy agreement must be completed and returned within a specified time if you wish to accept the offer of a room; failure to do so may result in the room being withdrawn and allocated to another student.

If you are at all concerned about your accommodation allocation, please do not hesitate to contact the College Office.

Entry Students - Applying for College Managed accommodation Online

Students who have been offered a place at the College will receive details about the accommodation and an Accommodation Application Form. The form should be completed in full and returned to the College International Office by the date specified. Students who do not require College-managed accommodation or who wish to make their own accommodation arrangement should indicate this on the accommodation application form.

The College Office will commence the allocation process, once the confirmation received from student. Accommodation is allocated to students in accordance with the accommodation guarantee and the agreed priorities. The accommodation is allocated randomly in the City. It also may not be possible to meet all you preferences and requirements.

Offer letters and detailed information are normally sent to candidates holding unconditional offers in July, and to candidates holding conditional offers as soon as possible after confirmation, usually mid-August.

Included in the offer letter will be two copies of the tenancy agreement, a rent statement and details about your arrival. Students wishing to accept the accommodation offered are asked to sign both copies of the tenancy agreement and return one copy to the College Office within two weeks of receipt.

Students will be sent details as to their arrival date along with the registration pack.

Details of rent payment methods are set out in the rent statement accompanying the tenancy agreement. Payment can generally be made either in instalments or termly in advance.

Other forms of payment include

During your study at the College, when you will be getting used to a new environment and making new friends, we believe that accommodation is particularly important. We guarantee that accommodation will be reserved for you for at least the first four three months of your studies at Birmingham if:

It may be possible for international students to stay in accommodation for the whole of their time in the UK if they wish.