Accommodation

* For 47-week licences, a reduced fee is applied to the weeks beyond the standard 39-week period, which is then averaged to establish a fixed weekly fee.

**34 weeks includes the Easter vacation period where students can stay in their room. There is also a 2 week Christmas Retainer fee applied to the total licence fee & students can leave their belongings within the room.

Note: Applicants who are due to study on the BA Primary Education with QTS course in Year 1 may need a licence longer than 39 weeks. Once confirmed we will provide applicants with an update on licence length and costs.

One-semester Licences are only available to particular groups of International students on one-semester exchange programmes.

Please contact our Housing team via housing@winchester.ac.uk for further information.

Prices below are based on the current cost of these packs which may increase. Confirmation of cost will be provided when students receive their room offer and amendments to orders can be made up to the point the student collects their key.

Bedding pack for single bed £40-50

What’s included: duvet, pillow & linen for single bed

Bedding pack for double bed £50-60

What’s included: duvet, pillow & linen for double bed

Kitchen pack £65-85

What’s included: cutlery, crockery, selection of pans and utensils

We have partnered with student insurance provider Howdens to provide some cover for the contents in your room if you live in University Managed Accommodation (either on or off campus*).

You don’t need to do anything to action this cover, but we encourage you to ensure you fully understand the protection provided and check it is sufficient for your needs.

When you are sent your room offer in the Summer, you will also be asked to set up your payments for accommodation, by registering a payment card. You will be able to either pay in full, which will entitle you to a discount, or set up a ‘Recurring Card Payment’ to pay in two or three equal instalments (dependent on your fee status).

For details of how to pay your residence fees, please refer to section five of the Student Residence Regulations for payment of University fees.

To make a payment please visit our online payment portal.

How am I guaranteed accommodation?

We guarantee you a room in University Managed accommodation (on and off campus) or in approved University Partner accommodation, if you are a first year, full-time undergraduate who has Winchester as your firm first choice university (via UCAS) and you apply for accommodation by our published guarantee dates. Please note that our guarantee of accommodation is for a room, not a specific type of room.

We can guarantee you a room in accommodation allocated by the University if you:

• are a full-time undergraduate student in your first year at Winchester starting your course in September 2026 – or January 2027 for those whose courses start in Term 2
• complete your housing application by 31 August 2026

We allocate on a first applied, first allocated basis so you need to get your application in early.

All accommodation is University owned, managed or approved, either on or off campus.

Once you have accepted your offer of study at the University of Winchester by going firm with us, you will be able to apply for accommodation.

Am I eligible to apply for Housing?

To apply for housing you will need to have accepted your University offer by going firm with us. You can hold either a conditional or unconditional offer.

Once you’ve gone firm and will be a full-time first-year student you are eligible to apply for housing. See more information about our housing guarantee to check if it applies to you.

You are not able to apply for accommodation if Winchester is your insurance choice. Contact us if and when your status changes and we can let you know how to apply and what our availability is.

Foundation Year full-time students

Housing is available for students in their Foundation Year and again in the first year of their undergraduate study, provided they are enrolled as full-time students. You would need to re-apply for Housing each academic year.

Postgraduate full-time students

We accept applications for housing from full-time, fee-paying postgraduate students. Please do be aware that we have limited availability for Postgraduate students.

There is a proportion of accommodation available for postgraduate students. Rooms are allocated on a first applied, first allocated basis. We aim to house postgraduate students together in mature areas (over 24yrs) however this is dependent on the number of applications and accommodation areas available. If there are no further rooms available with other students of a similar age, you may be allocated a room with students age 18+.

Self-contained flats

We do have a few self-contained flats for couples, students with families or students with additional requirements. You can apply for these using the normal housing application. We apply a level of needs-based assessment to applications to self-contained flats. If we are not able to offer you a flat, will provide information and advice on seeking alternative accommodation.

I have a disability. What is available to me?

We have a selection of residences with accessible rooms as well as adapted rooms. These may include features such as:

• Wheelchair access
• Automatic doors throughout the flat/house
• Hoists
• Height Adjustable equipment
• Deaf Alerters
• Small fridge for the storage of medicines
• Sharps box

Accommodation Subsidy

The following information applies to students who will be living in university accommodation during the 2026/27 academic year.

Students who may incur additional costs for en-suite accommodation as a direct result of a disability may be eligible for a subsidy towards those costs on disability grounds. The subsidy is only applicable for the following criteria:

• Where the University issues the licence agreement (contract)
• Where there is a non-ensuite comparison within the same accommodation eg. West Downs

Please contact housing@winchester.ac.uk for further information.

We also have accommodation available for students who may need to be in a quieter area or residences with fewer people.

We endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students who require extra support within their accommodation either due to a disability, long term medical condition or sensory/physical impairment. This may include making a required adaptation to a room or allocating to a particular location to help them be involved fully in University life and the student experience.

You are strongly advised to contact the Disabilities and Inclusion Team at the University on disability@winchester.ac.uk as well as our Housing team on housing@winchester.ac.uk so we can best assist you.

Can I view the accommodation?

Details on upcoming Open Days and Campus Tours, can be found on our Open Days page.

Follow us on Instagram for content related to our student accommodation, including ‘Get to know your area’ @universityofwinchesterhousing

Can I bring a vehicle or motorcycle?

Residents are not permitted to bring vehicles on campus whilst residing in the accommodation.

Residents can bring bicycles with them and can use the bicycle storage facilities located on campus.

Can I get housing for teaching/placements in term 3?

We have set aside flats in the following areas to accommodate students who require accommodation in Term 3:

• West Downs (en-suite)
• West Downs (shared bathroom facility)
• Burma Road
• Queens Road

Your licence will cover the dates required.

We are unable to offer extended licences in Catered accommodation. If you select one of these as your top choice, please be aware that you will be required to move into alternative accommodation for the final few weeks of your first year of study. If we receive more applications from this student group than we have longer licence rooms available, we will still allocate a room, but may then be required to move the student to alternative accommodation for the final few weeks of the first year of study. This will be communicated to the student in good time.

What guarantees do I get as a fee-paying international student?

We guarantee* a room in University Managed accommodation to full-time International students for their first year of study, provided they hold Winchester as their firm first choice University and apply for accommodation by 5pm, 24 August 2026.

Accommodation may also be available for International students beyond their first year of study subject to availability. Students can reapply for accommodation in each subsequent year by the deadlines published on our website.

*Please be aware that where the guarantee is for an offer of a room, where a student rejects the offer, the guarantee is no longer applicable.

Where can I live as a part-time student?

We’re sorry that we can’t accommodate Part-time students. You will need to secure accommodation in the Private Sector and Student Housing Services will be pleased to provide information and advice to assist you.

My course starts in January, can I still apply?

Students who are due to start a course which commences in January are still able to apply for accommodation. We will ensure that accommodation is provided to you, however, please do be advised that we may be required to move you mid-licence. Information will be provided on this.

How are the rooms allocated?

The allocation of rooms is undertaken on a first applied first allocated basis in date order from when the application was received. We aim to allocate students into one of their 6 preferences. If we are not able to offer you one of your preferences, we will offer you the next alternative room.

We prioritise applications from students who have additional housing requirements and who have provided supporting evidence to the University.

When will I hear what room I have?

We aim to start sending room offers out from mid July and will continue to do so throughout the Summer.

We send our offers out in batches; this is to give our team a chance to respond to any queries received before sending the next batch out. Please don’t worry if you see that someone else has received their offer and you have not. If you have been receiving emails from us with updates on room offers, you will eventually receive your offer from us.

How do I accept my room offer?

You will need to make sure you have your login details from when you created your account to apply. Your username will be a personal email address and you will be able to reset your password if you have forgotten it.

Follow the instructions on the acceptance process, making sure to read through all the important Terms & Conditions related to it.

You will need to make sure you accept your licence agreement by the deadline date stipulated on the offer. If you do not accept your room offer in time, we reserve the right to remove the offer. The room would then be offered to another student.

Can I change my allocation?

We are not usually able to make any adjustments to allocations before you arrive as we anticipate that all our rooms will be full.

If you would like to find out more about the accommodation you have been offered, please get in contact with us. We know that some students may receive an offer for a room type that they were not expecting or that was not their top choice and we encourage students to wait till they get here and settle in. Many students change their mind once they are here!

Students can engage with our room transfer process once here, further details are below.

When do we move into our accommodation?

Arrivals to accommodation are usually in September and the arrival weekend you are invited to will depend on your course start date. We will contact you with full details of timings as soon as they are confirmed.

Can I book a time to arrive?

You will be asked to select a time slot when you accept your room offer. We limit the number of people who can arrive each hour so if you find that your preferred time is full, you will need to select an alternative time.

Can I arrive before September?

Unfortunately, we are not able to move anyone into accommodation prior to your scheduled move-in dates.

Can I arrive after my move-in date?

Whilst we encourage students to arrive on the original date(s), if you need to arrive later than this, you just need to let us know. You will be sent information on how to do this over the Summer.

Where do we collect our keys?

Full information on this and other important areas will be sent to you before your arrival.

What do I need to bring?

All on-campus study-bedrooms are furnished with a:

• Bed
• Chair
• Desk
• Wardrobe
• Bookshelf space
• Noticeboard
• Sink unit

En-Suite study rooms have their own WC, shower and sink unit.

Self-catered kitchens are fitted with:

• Electric cooker
• Microwave
• Fridge freezer
• Kettle

Catered accommodation includes use of a small kitchenette with:

• Microwave
• Fridge
• Kettle

You need to provide your own:

• Bedding including sheets, pillows, pillowcases and duvet, duvet cover or blankets
• Crockery, including cups, plates, and dishes.
• Cutlery, including forks, knives and spoons
• Pots and pans must be suitable for electric hob use (if in self-catered accommodation)
• Tea towels
• Coat hangers

Kitchens in self-catered accommodation will be fitted with an oven, fridge, freezer and microwave as standard. Most will also have a kettle and toaster already in situ.

Bedding and Kitchen packs can be ordered when you make your application – details of what is included and the cost will be indicated before you make your order. If you have already applied and would like to add one of these packs to your application, please contact us.

What else should I do before I move in?

Please follow any guidance from the University about registration and complete the Online Accommodation Induction which will be sent to you by email.

Set up your payments for your accommodation via the Online Payment Portal.

Will my contents be insured?

We have partnered with student insurance provider Howdens to provide some cover for the contents in your room if you live in University Managed Accommodation (either on or off campus*).

You don’t need to do anything to action this cover, but we encourage you to ensure you fully understand the protection provided and check it is sufficient for your needs.

Visit Howdens Insurance to:

• Check your level of cover
• Review key exclusions and limitations
• Check your policy excess
• Learn how to make a claim

Extend and personalise your cover to protect laptops, phones and other valuables.

How do I pay for my housing?

You can pay the residence fees all in one go and receive a discount off the total or set up a Recurring Card Payment to pay in three instalments which are in line with your loan payments. Set up your payments for your accommodation via the Online Payment Portal.

Where do we go if we have a query about our accommodation?

Over the Arrivals weekend, speak with one of the Housing Helpers who will assist or direct you to a member of the Housing Team.

After the weekend, you can visit us in St Swithuns Lodge, call us on 01962 827533 or email housing@winchester.ac.uk. We usually experience a high volume of visits, calls & emails over the first couple of weeks, please do bear with us.

Not all of our housemates have moved in, what happens next?

Don’t worry! Some students arrive later to their accommodation, and for some this can be a couple of weeks. If a room is completely vacant, we will use this to house either a new applicant or a student who has requested a room transfer. We do our best to provide notice of this to current residents.

Can I stay in accommodation after the end of term?

We are able to offer ‘Summer Let’s to students over the summer period. We don’t have access to all of the accommodation over this time, but students will be advised of availability when they apply.

Contact us from March onwards for further details.

How do I report a maintenance issue?

Maintenance reports need to be made via ‘Servicedesk’. This can be found on the University Intranet, either by searching ‘Servicedesk’ or by locating it within the ‘My Links’ dropdown.

How do we report an urgent issue/emergency (maintenance, welfare, lock out)?

Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm, please contact Housing on 01962 827533.

Outside of these hours, please contact Security on 01962 827666/827667.

Where can I access support on campus?

Details of who you can contact can be found on the wall planner in your accommodation. This includes information for Security, Wardens, Residential Assistants, Finance, Student Support and Success. Contact details for these teams can also be found on the Intranet.

Is WiFi included within the rent?
Yes, Wifi is included within the rent and is available in all student residences.

Is the connection wired or wireless?
In individual study bedrooms, both are available – in communal areas, only WiFi is available.

What is the average speed?
With a wired connection, at least 50Mb should be achievable. WiFi should be at least 20Mb in individual rooms, but this can be dependent on how many users are in a given area etc. Speeds can be checked using public services at any time. Speed of connection may also be impacted dependent on what the connection is being used for – WiFi is provided to aid study within bedrooms and may not be able to support some gaming which may require faster connection speeds. For further information regarding limits to numbers of devices and more, please read the

What happens if something goes wrong with the WiFi?
Students are able to access support either by reporting via ‘Servicedesk’. This can be found on the University Intranet, either by searching ‘Servicedesk’ or by locating it within the ‘My Links’ dropdown or by visiting the Helpdesks situated in the Martial Rose Library (8am-8pm) and West Downs Library (9am-5pm) and the MMC loan counter (9am-5pm). KDS aim to respond to reports within 3 working days.