Can you get accommodation through clearing?

Where you live can feel like a huge part of your first-year university experience. It might feel as if you don’t get your dream accommodation, it’s the end of the world.

If you’ve got your place through clearing, you might be wondering if that means you’ve missed your chance for university accommodation. The good news is that this probably isn’t the case!

We’ve put together this guide to help you sort out your accommodation after getting your university place through clearing. This guide includes:

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Can you get accommodation through clearing?

The short answer to this question is yes, absolutely! Many universities offer guaranteed accommodation to all first-year students, including those who come through clearing. Even if your university doesn’t offer this guarantee, they’ll likely have places available, so you don’t need to panic.

Of course, going through clearing means you might not be able to choose from the full range of accommodation available. Some of the most popular options might be fully booked. However, you’ll most likely still be able to find somewhere within your budget, even if it’s not exactly what you wanted.

When and how to get accommodation through clearing 

Once you’ve accepted your place through clearing, most universities will invite you to their student portal, which will include information on how to book clearing accommodation. You’ll typically be asked to choose your preferred accommodation type and give your top three choices.

Many universities run clearing open days where you can visit the campus and look at accommodation. Or you can find information or take a virtual tour on your university’s website. Make sure you think about your budget and are realistic about what you can afford when making your choice.

If you don’t receive information from your university’s accommodation team, it’s worth getting in touch with them as soon as you can. They should have an accommodation office or a clearing hotline you can call.

There might be a limited number of spaces, so it’s best to start applying for accommodation as quickly as possible after you’ve got your university place. If there aren’t many places or a lot of competition, you might end up on a waiting list – which is why it’s so important to be proactive about finding your accommodation.

How will I get my accommodation offer through clearing?

You’ll typically receive an email from your university’s accommodation team letting you know that your application has been successful and that they have an offer for you to accept.

How do I accept my accommodation offer through clearing?

Usually, you will log in to your university’s accommodation portal, which will then help you navigate the process step by step. Your accommodation offer email will also typically contain the details you need to go ahead and accept an offer.

What types of accommodation can you get through clearing?

There are various types of accommodation you get through clearing, with the most common being university student accommodation and private halls. What you’ll get will depend on what your specific university has available that year. All the most sought-after choices will likely be gone, but there should still be different choices to suit your needs.

When to consider privately rented student accommodation

If your university has no space in halls, you might be offered a place in private halls or be given information on finding a privately rented student house. Alternatively, if the only accommodation your university can offer is way out of your price range or isn’t what you want, you might opt for private student accommodation instead.

Private halls are usually pretty similar to university halls, except they’ll be run by a private company. They’re usually located in the city centre or close to campus, and you’ll typically get your own room and a shared living space. Some private halls will have students from different universities in the city, so you might be living with people who go to a different university.

The other option is choosing a privately rented student house from a local landlord or letting agent. You can share with other students or rent a studio by yourself. There should be lots of students who have spare rooms and are looking for an extra housemate.

The best thing about choosing a private student house or flat is that you’ll have complete control over where you live and what kind of room you get. You won’t have to rely on what the university assigns you. Plus, you’ll likely live in private student accommodation for your second year anyway, so you’ll just be getting a head start.

Tips for getting accommodation through clearing

While nobody’s first choice is to go through clearing, you can still make the most of the hand you are dealt. Here are some of our top tips for getting your accommodation through clearing:
  1. Be flexible
Being flexible in this situation is a must. You should always be open to options beyond your chosen halls, like private and shared housing.
  1. Don’t delay
Don’t delay matters further. Once you know you have secured your place at a university, contact their accommodation team quickly to get the ball rolling.
  1. Do your research
If you’re thinking about going for a private house, take a look at online university groups, forums, or portals to make housemate connections and find suitable listings. Conduct a viewing if you can, although this might not always be possible in the circumstances.

Dealing with household bills once you get accommodation through clearing  

Living in a privately rented student house for your first year does mean that you’ll have to get to grips with paying household bills a little earlier than most students. However, this doesn’t have to be stressful – you can always opt for a bill-splitting service to make your life easier!

Split The Bills is trusted by thousands of students across the country. We aim to make shared living as simple as possible for students. Our team will do the hard work of setting up utility accounts, calling suppliers and managing direct debits. All you have to do is pay one neat monthly bill!

You can create a personalised package, including energy, high-speed broadband, water and even a TV licence if you plan on watching live TV. Your energy and water bills will be uncapped, so you know exactly how much you’ll pay each month, and you don’t have to worry about accidentally going over.

Learn more about how Split The Bills works or get a price today if you’ll be living in a student house in the next academic year.

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