How to apply - Postgraduates

Step 1 - Check your eligibility

Postgraduate students are prioritised for an offer of accommodation if they meet all the following: 

• are a full-time, international student* 
• are in their first year at UCL 
• apply as a single applicant (not as a family or a couple)
• have accepted an offer to study for a full-time Masters’ programme, Postgraduate Diploma, Initial Teacher Education (ITE) PGCE, MPhil or PhD, or full-year affiliate programme at UCL by 30 June in their year of study
• have not previously lived or studied in Greater London at a Higher Education Institution (University) 
• submit their UCL Accommodation application (separate to application to study) by 30 June in their year of study

*International students refers to students with an Overseas fee status. If you're paying Home fees, you won’t be eligible for a prioritised place.

What if I am not eligible? 

If you are not eligible, you can find information about seeking non-UCL accommodation, including private student accommodation and private rentals, on our Alternative Accommodation for Students webpage. 

What does ‘prioritised’ mean?  

UCL recognises its priority groups as students who are new to UCL, life at university, and the UK. ‘Prioritised’ means these students are offered spaces in UCL ahead of other groups e.g., students going into their second year. 

UCL Accommodation welcomes and supports applications from students with additional requirements and supports them throughout their time at UCL. If you have additional requirements and you would to get in touch, please contact the Accommodation Office using the details on our Contact Us page. 

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Rooms are allocated based on preferences. Please be aware that not all allocations are generated at once, so we kindly ask you to bear with us and be patient.  

Step 2 - Choose preferences

Check the price points of our different room types and halls and decide which options line up with your budget.  

Select the below preferences in your application: 

• 
  room type (Shared bathroom / Ensuite / Studio) 
• preferred hall locations 
• preferred maximum weekly rent  

Included in the rent: 

• free Wi-Fi 
• basic contents insurance 
• all utilities 
• cleaning of communal areas and maintenance 

We will take your preferences into account when rooms are allocated. Due to the large number of applications, these preferences are not guaranteed to be met.  
 
Please note that we do not offer catered accommodation or twin rooms to postgraduate students. 

Step 3 - Submit application

Complete and submit your application via the UCL Accommodation Portal by 30 June in your year of study. (For example, if you’re coming to UCL for September 2025, you must apply by 30 June 2025). You will receive a confirmation email when you have submitted your application. 

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after receiving your UCL offer.  

Step 4 - Receiving an offer

Step 5 - Accept

You will receive an offer by email, which you are required to accept through the UCL Accommodation Portal.

To accept, you must pay a £400 prepayment within 4 days. Failure to do so will result in the offer being withdrawn. 

Please make sure your email address is correct, and that you check your inbox regularly including Spam or Junk folders.