Like seriously I'm looking to start autumn 2026 and I have absolutely no clue on how dorms work. Like do you just stay where you're at after 1st year cause I've heard you move. Seriously explain it to me like I'm 5 I am hopelessly clueless
Like seriously I'm looking to start autumn 2026 and I have absolutely no clue on how dorms work. Like do you just stay where you're at after 1st year cause I've heard you move. Seriously explain it to me like I'm 5 I am hopelessly clueless
Which universities are you applying to? Every university has a slightly different set up.
Like seriously I'm looking to start autumn 2026 and I have absolutely no clue on how dorms work. Like do you just stay where you're at after 1st year cause I've heard you move. Seriously explain it to me like I'm 5 I am hopelessly clueless
Every University has a different way of how dorms work, usually the dorms will list how many weeks in the academic year you can stay there, for example 50 weeks, but this all again depends on your University, your needs, etc. In my dorms rn, after the 1st year you can reapply for dorms ready for the next year at uni! I hope this helps!!
Like seriously I'm looking to start autumn 2026 and I have absolutely no clue on how dorms work. Like do you just stay where you're at after 1st year cause I've heard you move. Seriously explain it to me like I'm 5 I am hopelessly clueless
It does depend a little bit on what university you will be going to as some of them have different procedures and ways of sorting out the accommodation to others.
Usually, when you receive your university offer, you can start to sort out your accommodation. Some universities you will just pick your accommodation and it is more of a first come first served situation and some you will apply to two or three different accommodations and then you will get given one of these. The contracts are usually from around September to June/July but again this can differ.
When you are at Uni in first year, people will start to sort their accommodation for the next year out around November time which can feel really early but most people do start to think about it then. There will still be options available after Christmas so try not to worry too much about this, but it's a good idea to start thinking about what you want to do around this time.
Usually, there are two options really for second year. You can either stay in accommodation or find a student house with a group of friends. If you want to stay in your accommodation, you can talk to the team that work at your halls about this and they should be able to sort this out for you.
If you want to get a house, you and a group of friends would then usually look on websites such as 'Uni Homes' or other local student housing companies and they will be able to help you out with sorting out a house. These contracts are usually 52 weeks from around June/July to the following June/July.
Like seriously I'm looking to start autumn 2026 and I have absolutely no clue on how dorms work. Like do you just stay where you're at after 1st year cause I've heard you move. Seriously explain it to me like I'm 5 I am hopelessly clueless
Hi there!
As others have said, accommodation varies at each university. So I would definitely recommend you look into the accommodation at Open Days and/or the universities that interested you the most.
Liverpool Hope for example offers guaranteed accommodation for first year students and then we have another accommodation site which may second and thirds year students use to stay in LHU owned halls. But then also many students will also look into house shares with their flat mates.
Everyone is different though so if you find you prefer living on your own there is plenty of student accommodation for living alone.
Once at university (or even before like Open Days) I would talk with accommodation teams and look at what support they offer in terms of living for post first year etc.
Like seriously I'm looking to start autumn 2026 and I have absolutely no clue on how dorms work. Like do you just stay where you're at after 1st year cause I've heard you move. Seriously explain it to me like I'm 5 I am hopelessly clueless
Hi @TheDaveWave29 University accommodation works slightly differently at each university, but i can provide a generic overview. Most students tend to live in university accommodation in their 1st year, either on campus is its a campus university or in accommodation blocks if its a city university. This accommodation can either be ensuite or have a shared bathroom, and usually there are 6-12 people sharing a flat. The contracts are usually 40 weeks long and start in mid September and end in July. For housing after 1st year, there is usually the option to stay in the same accommodation, however this is not guaranteed. Alternatively, students can live in a house close to the university with some of their friends, each university should offer advice about the different accommodation options available. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask! -Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Like seriously I'm looking to start autumn 2026 and I have absolutely no clue on how dorms work. Like do you just stay where you're at after 1st year cause I've heard you move. Seriously explain it to me like I'm 5 I am hopelessly clueless
Its a tenancy contract.
The terms of the license vary at every university and provider (some unis are private and some are university owned). Typically for university halls, you are renting a room in a flat, you have shared obligations for shared space and personal responsibility for your room.
Typically you get a fixed term contract, it will 31 weeks or something until the end of university year. Private contracts are typically 51-52 weeks. Of course you can negotiate your length, and terms with private landlords as well. Most people get halls year 1 (31 weeks ish through university as your landlord), and then private student housing for remaining years.
Your accommodation is fundamentally separate to your academics and it is for you to organise. You can always buy a property or live with friends/family if you pref (although most people don’t have these options as a realistic option).