Specific accommodation requirements

Accommodation information for University applicants who have specific requirements
Welcome to campus

Applying for University-managed accommodation

All of our rooms in our Halls of Residence are single occupancy accommodation, and we offer the option of booking a 41-week licence or a 42-week licence. Our Accommodation Portal opens for bookings around the beginning of February each year. All bookings are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Postgraduate, mature, and returning students

Rooms in our six Halls of Residence are currently only available to first year undergraduate students. Working alongside Disability Services, we also offer a limited amount of rooms for returning students on a case by case basis.
If you are a mature student who is beginning the first year of their undergraduate degree, you are welcome to apply for a room in our halls. Please note that we do not have dedicated 'mature halls'. However, upon completing your application, you will be allocated a room in a flat with other mature students. 
 

International and exchange students

International student accommodation

You can only apply for accommodation if you are holding a CF (conditional) or UF (unconditional) academic offer with the University of Plymouth.
International students are advised that it is not a requirement of a visa application to have pre-booked accommodation, only that you can afford the usual living costs for housing within our geographical area.

Exchange student accommodation

Whether you are joining us on exchange for a full academic year or for one term, you can book your room in our Halls of Residence via the Accommodation Portal.
We recommend that international and exchange students join our University-managed halls community for the following reasons:
  • If you’re in University-managed accommodation you’ll benefit from fully-inclusive bills.
  • You will have a Halls Team to support your experience of living in a new country.
  • You can be part of our Residence Life community with an active social programme to help you meet new people and explore new places.
If you have any questions please contact the Student Accommodation Office at uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk. Please include your full name and student reference number in all correspondence. We will be very happy to help you.

Students with disabilities and medical conditions

We have a number of rooms which already have basic additional facilities installed and may be helpful for applicants with particular requirements.
Student using sign language

Specific requirements

Single-sex and alcohol free flats

We understand how important it is to feel comfortable and fully at home in your University accommodation, which is why we offer the option to book a single-sex or alcohol free flat for students who would feel more comfortable living in these environments. Please ensure that you select your preferred option during the application process. 

Quiet flats

Introduced in 2022 and continuing this year, we offer an option for applicants to choose a 'quiet' flat when applying for a room in our halls. We aim to allocate students together who consider themselves to have a ‘quieter lifestyle’. Please note, we cannot guarantee a permanent quiet environment. Communal living will always involve some level of noise, including from outside the building or flat. However, by placing students requesting a quieter lifestyle together we hope to better meet the different expectations of our students. As this feature is in its second year, those that choose to live in a quiet flat may be asked to provide feedback on this living option throughout the year. 

Partner college students

If you are transferring from one of our partner colleges and would like to live in halls of residence please apply via the Accommodation Portal.

Students with families

All University accommodation is single occupancy only. If you intend to bring your family, you are advised to look at private rented accommodation in the city - but please be aware that this is limited.

Care leavers

If you’re a care leaver, we guarantee suitable, non-funded University accommodation to you for 365 days of the year, and for each year of your studies, if required. This includes access to our Hall teams and Residence Life social programme during term time. All you need to do is tell us that you’re a care leaver when you apply for accommodation.
If you require year-round accommodation, your contract can be extended (but this may not be in the same room or hall as you are in for the rest of the year). If you have any questions about this, please contact us.

Under 18s

In line with our philosophy of providing a supportive environment, the University of Plymouth is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all of our students, including our under-18 students.
  • Student Accommodation Services will ensure where possible that you are housed with other students of a similar age.
  • The hall team will hold regular events to help you integrate into the residential community.
As partners in the provision of a safe and supportive environment for each resident, we require the parent(s)/guardian(s) of an under-18 resident to:
  • agree that Student Accommodation Services and the University cannot assume parental responsibility for the under-18 resident,
  • advise your son/daughter that they may not enter licensed premises while they are under the age of 18,
  • advise your son/daughter that they may not hold office while they are under the age of 18,
  • guarantee to honour the accommodation contract for your son/daughter.
Whilst Student Accommodation Services will make every effort to provide the best possible living environment for you, it is ultimately the responsibility of you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) to assess whether the accommodation on offer is suitable to your needs and whether its terms of occupancy are reasonable. We strongly recommend and will normally facilitate students under the age of 18 to book en suite and single sex accommodation. 
Mary Newman Building