Allocation Policy 2024/2025

New Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students (Masters and Research), including Exchange/Erasmus Students

 

 

Introduction

1.1 Aston University in conjunction with Unite Students provides accommodation in over 3,000 bedrooms in Aston Student Village (ASV). While we would love to accommodate all our students on campus, demand often outweighs availability. With this in mind we aim to set out clearly our allocation policy to ensure a fair and transparent process of providing on-campus bedroom facilities.

1.2 Our allocation practices are reviewed on an annual basis. We set out below our allocation policy for the academic year 2024/25 for new students when they enter their first year of study on an Aston University programme starting at either Year 0 (Foundation) or Year 1 (Undergraduate/Postgraduate).Please note that ASV accepts applications for individuals only as we do not provide facilities suitable for families or couples. We include in this a first year guarantee scheme on the condition that applications are made within the parameters set out in this document.

New Undergraduate Applicants

2.1 Aston University guarantees ASV campus accommodation to new applicants as set out in 1.2 going in to their first year of study at Aston University providing they fulfill the criteria set out below:

  • They apply to Aston University as a full time student for the full academic year
  • Aston University is their Firm Choice via their UCAS application
  • They hold a Conditional Offer of a place on an Academic programme and have applied for ASV accommodation through the online portal by the 21st July, 2024.
  • They firmly accept an Unconditional offer from Aston University by the 13th September, 2024 (in most cases this is after conditional results are known) and a place at Aston is confirmed.

2.2 Undergraduate applicants may choose a 44.43 week Tenancy Agreement only. Further details and Tenancy Conditions can be found on the Unite Students website.

2.3 Foundation students moving to Year 1 of their degree as part of an integrated 4 or 5 year course are classed as returning students under this allocation policy, and must book rooms directly with Unite Students for 2024/25.

New Postgraduate (Masters and Research) Applicants

3.1 Aston University guarantees ASV accommodation to the first 150 Postgraduate (Masters and Research) applicants for their first year of study at Aston University providing they fulfill the criteria set out below:

  • They apply to Aston University as a full time student for the full academic year
  • They have obtained the required qualifications (as appropriate) and Masters applicants have paid their Aston University course deposit by the 21st July, 2024.
  • They have applied for Aston Student Village accommodation through the online portal by the 21st July, 2024.

3.2  Aston University guarantees ASV accommodation to the first 50 Postgraduate (Masters and Research) applicants starting in January 2025 for their first year of study at Aston University providing they fulfill the criteria set out below:

  • They apply to Aston University as a full time student for the full academic year
  • They have obtained the required qualifications (as appropriate) and Masters applicants have paid their Aston University course deposit.

 

3.3  Postgraduate applicants starting in either September or January may choose a 51 week Tenancy Agreement only.  Further details and Tenancy Conditions can be found on the Unite Students website.

3.4 Postgraduate research (PGR) applicants who attend the University from April or July are encouraged to contact the Accommodation Office at accom@aston.ac.uk to enquire about availability of on-campus accommodation.  We are keen to accommodate all students who need accommodation on campus, subject to availability.

Part year/Termly Accommodation

4.1 Students applying for a part year programme do not fall under the guarantee of accommodation on campus should contact Unite Students directly about campus accommodation. Alternatively, they should contact the Students’ Union Aston Student Homes (ASH) for assistance in finding off-campus accommodation, or visit their website for further information on recommended accommodation providers in Birmingham. 

Insurance and Clearing Applicants

5.1 Aston University welcomes applications from Insurance and Clearing applicants who are offered a place at Aston University (using their 9 digit Aston Student Number) and will endeavour to allocate these applicants a room on campus; however, we cannot guarantee a room.

5.2 Applications will be open to students throughout the summer and will be considered on the basis of the date by which students firmly accept an unconditional offer from Aston University, and the date on which their accommodation application has been received.

Exchange Students

6.1 Aston University guarantees ASV accommodation to the first 40 full year (3 terms) Exchange student applicants, fulfilling the criteria set out below:

  • They apply to Aston University as a full time student for the full academic year by 14th June 2024
  • Aston University has confirmed their application by the 28th June, 2024
  • They have applied for accommodation through the online portal by the 21st July, 2024

6.2 Full time Exchange applicants may choose a 44.43 week Tenancy Agreement only. Further details and Tenancy Conditions can be found on our accommodation partner’s (Unite Students) website. 

6.3 Aston University guarantees ASV accommodation to the first 25 part year (one semester) Exchange student applicants each semester, fulfilling the criteria set out below:

  • They apply to Aston University as a part year exchange student for the 1st semester (September 2023 to January 2024) by 14th June 2024
  • Aston University has confirmed their application by the 28th June, 2024
  • They have applied for accommodation through the online portal by the 21st July, 2024

These 25 rooms will be available for 25 starters on the exchange programme in January 2025 by booking through the Aston Accommodation portal.

6.4 Unsuccessful applicants for the 25 part year Exchange rooms will not be able to be accommodated on campus. Please contact the Students’ Union (Aston Student Homes) for assistance in finding off-campus accommodation, or visit their website for further information on recommended accommodation providers in Birmingham.

Care Leavers

7.1 Aston University guarantees ASV accommodation to all UG care leavers providing they apply by 21st July, 2024 and provided they meet the criteria set out in section 1 above.

7.2 A care leaver is a young person (under the age of 25) who:

  • has been in the care of, or been given accommodation by, their local authority (LA) for a period of at least 13 weeks before the age of 16, and
  • hasn’t reconciled with their parents between leaving care and starting their course.

Undergraduate first year care leaver students can apply for a scholarship grant to fund accommodation through The Unite Students Foundation. More information can be found at at this link. .

 
Returning Students

8.1 Returning students who wish to live in ASV should apply directly to Unite Students.

8.2 Foundation students moving to the 1st year proper of their degree as part of an integrated 4 or 5 year course are classed as returning students under this allocation policy, and must book rooms directly with Unite Students for 2024/25.

8.3 The following groups of students will be considered for exemption:

  • Students who require campus accommodation for supported medical/disability reasons.
  • Students who are currently engaging with the Wellbeing and Enabling Team where it has been identified that they require to remain on campus.
  • Students who classify as ‘early independents’ i.e. care leavers, young adult carers and estranged students.
Allocation Considerations

9.1 We will continuously review all applications received and provide accommodation offers following the considerations set out below to our students guaranteed to be accommodated on campus:

  • Students who require campus accommodation for supported medical / disability reasons and students who will be 17 at enrolment into the University will be prioritised over any other applicants.
  • We are unable to accept applications for accommodation from students who are under the age of 17 on the 14th September, 2024.
  • All students eligible under the guarantee will be considered in sequence of the date of the accommodation application being received and the date the student firmly accepted an unconditional offer from Aston University.
  • We endeavour to accommodate all applicants’ preferences, however, on occasions we may be unable to fulfil them due to lack of availability of appropriate accommodation. Although we try to meet requests for mixed sex or single sex accommodation, it is not always possible for us to do so.
  • Applicants must accept their room offer within the given deadline, including payment of the Booking Fee, to avoid the offer being withdrawn. As deadlines can change throughout the summer, applicants must check their emails and junk folders regularly.
  • We allocate against a set campus room plan which outlines which buildings are allocated to new first year undergraduate students, undergraduate returning students and postgraduate students, taking into consideration each of their requirements. Specific location requests are therefore subject to our campus room plan.
  • Students on the Nursing Studies course can experience difficulties when sharing flats with students on non-nursing courses because of their differing timetable, workloads and shift patterns. For this reason, students on this course are allocated together in flats where possible. If you do not wish to be allocated with other nursing students, please indicate this in the ‘Notes’ section. We cannot guarantee that all students in these dedicated ‘Nursing’ flats will be on the Nursing Studies course if we have other students needing rooms. 
  • Unsuccessful applicants, who do not fall under the University’s first year guarantee scheme, will be informed of this no later than 8th September 2024, with an option to remain on our waiting list, should a place become available during enrolment and the first term. Aston University takes no responsibility for providing alternative accommodation off-campus.
  • In the unlikely event that an applicant has to withdraw or take leave of absence from the University following submission of their accommodation application, they should inform us as soon as possible to allow another student to be allocated a room for the beginning of the Autumn Term 2024.
  • Whilst Aston University endeavour to fulfil their guarantee promises as outlined in this document, we will work with Unite Students should applications exceed availability, to identify carefully selected third party accommodation and reallocate students to these accommodations. Aston University takes no responsibility for any additional costs in such circumstances. In such cases, compromises may need to be made on your accommodation preferences.

We fully expect that the vast majority of first year students will be offered a campus room.

Making an Application

1. All applications must be completed online.

2. To apply for accommodation on campus you will require your unique Aston student ID number (9 digit number) which you can find in your university offer letter and email communication.

3. Please visit the Aston Accommodation website to review the different accommodation options at Aston Student Village and familiarise yourself with this document on our principles of allocation.

4. Follow the link to our accommodation application portal and follow the prompts to complete your registration and application.

5. Once your application has been received, it will be stored on our system until such time that you have accepted Aston University’s offer.

6. Subject to your application meeting the criteria set out in this document, you will be contacted by Unite Students with instructions on how to complete your booking and pay your advance fee. You will receive an email to your registered email account as notification.

7. Please ensure you use a consistent name (i.e. your first and last name as registered with the University for your academic studies) to avoid any confusion and doubt of application eligibility.

Receiving an Offer

1. Ensure you check your email daily (including your junk mail) for communication from ASV / Unite Students, as offers are time bound. Please add aston.ac.uk and unitestudents.com to your list of trusted senders in your email system.

2. Once we have made you an offer of a room and you have been contacted by Unite Students you have three calendar days to pay the booking fee, review the tenancy agreement and the accommodation offer proposed.

3. Should you wish to accept this offer, please use the Unite Students booking process (details of which and links will be in the offer email sent out by Unite Students) and ensure you pay the advance fee of £250. This £250 payment will be deducted from your first rent instalment. Unfortunately we cannot keep offers open to those who are unable to pay the advance fee due to high demand for our popular campus rooms.

4. Once you have completed your booking, you will receive a final email confirmation from Unite Students and are now subject to a cooling off period of seven days within which you are entitled to cancel the booking without incurring any charges.

Rates 2024/25

All accommodation at ASV is en-suite and is let on a self-catered basis.

Premium One EnSuite (7 bed)WeeksWeeklyFull Period
Undergraduate44.43*£158£7019.94
Postgraduate51£157£8007.00
Premium Two Ensuite (5 bed)WeeksWeeklyFull Period
Undergraduate44.43*£164£7286.52
Postgraduate51£163£8313.00
Exchange Teaching Period 118£164£2952.00
Exchange Teaching Period 220£164£3280.00
* 44 weeks and 3 days