The Student Room Group

UAL Foundation Diploma Diagnostic Mode - which hall would you recommend?

Hi! I’m an international student who has just been accepted into the UAL FD Diagnostic Mode :smile:
I am now looking for halls and was wondering—will I be studying at Lime Grove for the entire academic year, or is there a chance I might need to move to a different location for certain workshops? I’m particularly interested in fashion and 3D.

Additionally, I plan to continue my studies at UAL for a bachelor’s degree (hopefully! :smile:), so should I think ahead when looking for halls or is it relatively easy to change halls between the pre-degree and bachelor’s program?
(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

Original post by Giger
Hi! I’m an international student who has just been accepted into the UAL FD Diagnostic Mode :smile:
I am now looking for halls and was wondering—will I be studying at Lime Grove for the entire academic year, or is there a chance I might need to move to a different location for certain workshops? I’m particularly interested in fashion and 3D.
Additionally, I plan to continue my studies at UAL for a bachelor’s degree (hopefully! :smile:), so should I think ahead when looking for halls or is it relatively easy to change halls between the pre-degree and bachelor’s program?

Hi, congrats on getting accepted !! I have also sign up for the foundation course but haven't received a response yet. Yes, according to the UAL website, foundation will be at Lime Grove for the entire academic year. And for your second question, in the UK you have the ability to change your hall/accommodation every year because the payment contract of every university accommodation is only for 1 academic year's stay. Therefore, you would have to move and reapply to another accommodation after foundation year anyway. You also need to keep in mind that although you sign up for a particular hall, you may not get it and be allocated a different one because a lot of people sign up for university accommodation. UAL has 11 halls across London btw

Reply 2

Thank you so much for your answer, this helps a lot! And I wish you all the best for your application! Do you plan to apply for a specific hall, if you get in?

Reply 3

Original post by Giger
Thank you so much for your answer, this helps a lot! And I wish you all the best for your application! Do you plan to apply for a specific hall, if you get in?

No i'm not applying to halls, I'll be living in London permanently, during and after university, so will have an apartment instead 😊 Do you have a preferred accommodation yet? i heard the costume store is a great hall to go to but im not sure where its based and if it's too far from foundation and your chosen BA course

Reply 4

Oh, I envy you for being able to live in London permanently! I’m struggling to finance my foundation year (as an international student)—and my bachelor’s as well. I still need to explore scholarship opportunities in my home country, find a job, etc.
I actually checked out the Costume Store, but from what I saw on Google Maps, I don’t find the area very appealing. I was considering applying to Sketch House, even though it’s quite far away. However, I’m now rethinking my options, taking your earlier comments into account.

Reply 5

Original post by Giger
Oh, I envy you for being able to live in London permanently! I’m struggling to finance my foundation year (as an international student)—and my bachelor’s as well. I still need to explore scholarship opportunities in my home country, find a job, etc.
I actually checked out the Costume Store, but from what I saw on Google Maps, I don’t find the area very appealing. I was considering applying to Sketch House, even though it’s quite far away. However, I’m now rethinking my options, taking your earlier comments into account.


Oh no I hope you're able to get a scholarship then I know for international students it's ridiculously expensive but hopefully they can supply you with great financial support. I don't think you should worry too much about not getting into your preferred hall it's just something to keep in mind. If you request a hall early enough you're likely to get into it, UAL has a first come first serve rule for it.

Reply 6

thanks a lot for your kind words, and all the best for your application! Hopefully, we will meet in the course! (without even knowing it. :smile:
(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 7

definitely costume store

Reply 8

Original post by Giger
Oh, I envy you for being able to live in London permanently! I’m struggling to finance my foundation year (as an international student)—and my bachelor’s as well. I still need to explore scholarship opportunities in my home country, find a job, etc.
I actually checked out the Costume Store, but from what I saw on Google Maps, I don’t find the area very appealing. I was considering applying to Sketch House, even though it’s quite far away. However, I’m now rethinking my options, taking your earlier comments into account.


Costume Store is a super social accom from what I’ve heard; it’s also not too far from Lime Grove (20 min train). Sketch house is a good hour commute from Finsbury Park to Shepherds Bush. Sketch House is very popular with CSM students because of its location to KGX and Central London, making it harder to get a room at. I’d go with the one that you’re drawn to and don’t worry about the area too much, even though somewhere may look bad, in the UK looks are deceiving and often the places that look the worst from the outside are the most fun/interesting!

Reply 9

Original post by lauriekay
Costume Store is a super social accom from what I’ve heard; it’s also not too far from Lime Grove (20 min train). Sketch house is a good hour commute from Finsbury Park to Shepherds Bush. Sketch House is very popular with CSM students because of its location to KGX and Central London, making it harder to get a room at. I’d go with the one that you’re drawn to and don’t worry about the area too much, even though somewhere may look bad, in the UK looks are deceiving and often the places that look the worst from the outside are the most fun/interesting!

Thank you very much for this explanation! It’s really helpful, and I’ll be applying for Costume Store. Since most of the students living there are likely from pre-degree studies, I might even make some new friends!

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