As the application opening date approaches, many of you have been asking for more information on our room allocation procedure. Have a read below to find out our process and what you can do in your application to ensure we allocate the best room for you.
Are rooms allocated on a first come, first served basis?
If you are an undergraduate, the short answer is no. For undergraduates who have applied by our guarantee deadline, we will allocate all rooms in a random order, based on the information you have given us in your application. If you apply after our guarantee deadline, these applications will be processed in date order but we will consider your preferences when allocating and try our hardest to allocate somewhere that matches them.
If you are a postgraduate student, or an exchange student coming to Exeter for just one semester, then these applications are processed on a first come, first served basis.
How are they allocated?
We allocate the most popular residences first but randomly via a computer which selects an application from all students indicating a particular residence as their first choice. We then look at the additional accommodation preferences to allocate students to corridors/flats. This process continues until the number of students required to fill that residence has been reached. Each application is read by a member of our team (not a robot!) so please do put any information you think we should know in your application!
What preferences can I choose when applying?
When you apply for accommodation, you can put down 4 preferences. You will also be asked a series of questions to help us determine the right accommodation for us to place you in. We then allocate this on a priority basis:
- If you need to live in a single gender, rather than mixed gender, flat
- If you would prefer a quiet flat (to live with other people who have mentioned this within their application)
- The ages of people you wish to live with out of the following options: under 21 years; 21 years and over
- If you would prefer to live with people who do not drink alcohol
Do you prioritise certain students?
Whilst we allocate rooms randomly for the most-part, any students with disabilities, health needs or other special supported requirements will be prioritised and considered on a case-by-case basis. If you haven’t already, please do get in touch with our wellbeing services if you have a disability or health condition that will affect your choice of accommodation.
If you want to know more, you can read our full Room Allocation Procedure webpage.
Applications open on Monday 3rd April. If you have questions for us in the meantime, please do get in touch!