Accommodation
New Students
For anyone arriving for the first time in Birmingham, accommodation is likely to be a prime consideration. We provide a comprehensive service; covering both college owned and managed halls of residence and private accommodation within the City.
We have a dedicated service to help you find the accommodation you need, and are open throughout the year including during the summer period. Our Accommodation Service is available to all students enrolled at the College. You can use the service on a drop-in basis or telephone us for advice and information about any housing related issue.
Our aim is to provide you with a high quality, safe, affordable and happy environment for both your academic and social life. Hall managers, based in all College-managed accommodation, are responsible for your welfare and security as well as offering advice.
The Halls of Residence
We have different options to suit a range of tastes and budgets. Over 1000 students can be accommodated in halls of residence and accommodation can be offered to all years and programmes of study.
The main contract is 42 weeks running from September to July. We also offer contracts to students studying on Erasmus programmes and students undertaking a period of Placement.
Cambrian Hall
Cambrian Hall has an almost perfect location for any UCB student. Just 150 yards from the main UCB Site and a couple of minutes walk from shops, bars, restaurants rail and coach stations. It is also just a few minutes walk from Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter. With an excellent location and keen pricing, Cambrian Hall is a very attractive option for many UCB students.
Cambrian Hall is a purpose-built hall of residence providing 247 student places. Popular with more mature and overseas students, it is a self-catering hall with each flat accommodating ten students in single study bedrooms. Each flat contains a well equipped kitchen and dining room. Bathroom facilities are shared between two students and comprises a toilet, wash hand basin and shower. All rooms are fully furnished and have telephone and television points and each room has free Broadband Internet access.
There is a comprehensive CCTV system, installed for our students safety and security, this along with night time security guards and a new fob operated gate, have ensured students well-being is a top priority.
A coin operated commercial laundry service with both washing and drying machines is available to the Residents.
The site has full-time and part-time Hall Managers supported by night time security. The complex is situated in a prime location near the city centre within easy reach of not only UCB but also has many shops, pubs, restaurants, rail and coach stations.
All rooms are self-catering, you will have to provide your own cooking utensils and bedding. Generally flats are mixed sex, typically housing 10 residents. Each flat has its own fully fitted kitchen and dining areas with a fridge-freezer, electric cooker, iron and kettle all provided.
Mail is delivered to your post box daily and parcels, recorded, registered or special delivery items may be collected from the Reception Office throughout opening hours.
Please note there are no parking facilities at Cambrian Hall.
<> 2012/13 Weekly Rent </>
All prices include heating, lighting and Broadband Internet.
The Maltings
A purpose built student accommodation site built on the site of a Birmingham brewery, Davenports in Bath Row. The Maltings is popular with students coming to UCB for the first time and is situated approximately 10 minutes walk from the college. There are 827 study bedrooms available including 809 en-suite rooms of which 5 are twin rooms.
All rooms are fully furnished and have telephone and television points as well as free Broadband Internet access and Internet Protocol Television which students can watch using their laptops or PC’s. Each study bedroom is centrally heated and is fully furnished with a fitted wardrobe, desk, chair, shelves, notice boards and bed. En-suite rooms have a toilet, wash hand basin and shower.
The gated, secure site has landscaped gardens and facilities include a sports hall, fitness suite, student bar, BarOne and a convenience store, Joshua's. BarOne provides the entertainment from bands and DJs and is also the centre for fund-raising activities and theme nights. The bar which has capacity for around 450 people, has plasma screens, two pool tables, a large bar area and an open plan dancing/seating area.
There are a number of ground floor rooms designed to accommodate students with special requirements, including accommodation for carers.
The site has full-time and part-time hall managers supported by night time security. The complex is situated in a prime location near the city centre within easy reach of not only UCB but also many shops, pubs, restaurants, rail and coach stations.
As the rooms are all self-catering, you will have to provide your own cooking utensils and bedding. Generally flats are mixed sex, typically housing between 6 and 9 residents. Each flat has its own fully fitted kitchen and dining areas with a fridge/freezer, electric cooker, iron and a kettle all provided.
A commercial laundry service is also available with washing and drying machines.
There is a charge for car parking and the number of car parking spaces for residents is limited. Car parking spaces are issued on a needs basis, as a guide 2010/2011 car parking was £200 per semester.
<> 2012/13 Weekly Rent </>
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Standard
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£88
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En-suite
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£95
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Twin
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£151
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All prices include heating, lighting and Broadband Internet.
Upgrades during 2011/12
We take feedback on our halls of residence very seriously and have recently made some updates to the facilities as a result of the Student Survey:
Internet: UCB halls of residence have recently upgraded the internet connection at both halls of residence. The internet connection will now be faster and more reliable.
Television signal: Not only did Birmingham become digital in September 2011, but UCB also updated the cabling for the TV signal, so that all rooms should now have access to a clearer signal.
How to Apply
For academic year 2012/13, the process of applying for accommodation has changed and we will only be accepting electronic applications. Acknowledgements for the applications will be sent via email.
New students to the college
Please complete all sections of the application form in full. Acknowledgements for the applications will be sent via email. Any specific requests must be listed under ‘special requirements’. Please refer to the type of student you will be to find out more information on the application process.
Returning Students
Please review the details we hold for you and make any adaptations to update your details. Be aware that if the correspondence address is not complete we will automatically send out the contracts to your home address.
To apply for accommodation for 2012.13 please use the link below:
http://students.ucb.ac.uk/accommodation/
Please note: there will be no room numbers issued out to any student, however we will confirm what type of accommodation you have been offered. Any special requests will be honoured subject to availability.
First Year UK/EU students
Any UK/EU student attending UCB for the first time on a FE or HE course, can apply for Accommodation as soon as the online process opens in the new year. We will only be able to offer accommodation once you have been issued with an unconditional offer to your course. Please note majority of first years will receive their unconditional offer in July/August, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from us until then.
Within our first year blocks at both The Maltings and Cambrian, we have a mature block, which initially houses anyone above the age of 22. If you wish to be allocated in this block, please state on your application form.
Returning Students
Students who are already studying at UCB whether they have lived in the Halls before or whether they wish to attend for the first time, will be able to apply for the limited Returner Blocks in March. Students will have two weeks in which to apply for the Halls of Residence. The application date will be advertised 7 days before release on UCB online, UCB Website, at the Halls of Residence and via the College’s TV Screens.
As a returning student you can request to be with friends, all requests will be honoured as per availability on a first come first served basis.
Any current students who are going on placement are also encouraged to apply at this time for when they return in February 2013.
Erasmus
Any student who applies for accommodation whilst attending an Erasmus Programme has the choice of Semester (21 week) or Year (42 week) contract depending on how long they wish to attend the UCB programme.
All Erasmus accommodation applications will be allocated in July, as long as you have received a full acceptance to the programme. Any application request received after July cannot be guaranteed accommodation.
International Students
International students studying at UCB for the first time will be offered accommodation in halls of residence if:-
UCAS and UCB has received your firm acceptance of an Unconditional offer at UCB;
Your £3,000 tuition deposit is paid.
The Accommodation Manager receives your completed Residency Agreement, Deposit and Pre-Payment by the offer date;
You are unaccompanied (ie you do not bring any dependants, such as a partner and/or a child) unless agreed in advance by UCB.
Postgraduate Students
Rooms for Postgraduate Students are allocated on a first come first served basis. To be eligible you must have confirmed Unconditional acceptance of a place on a postgraduate programme at UCB. Postgraduate student are normally allocated in their own blocks and/or flats and are located in the quieter areas of each site.
The vast majority of students receive their first choice of accommodation. As you can appreciate there is a heavy demand for UCB managed accommodation, so ANYONE who is interested in the Halls must apply as soon as they can.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do when you send me an offer of Accommodation?
You will receive several documents relating to our Accommodation, and if you wish to accept our offer, you will need to fill out and send back the Residential Contract, Financial Guarantee and a Payment Options Form. To secure your room we will also need a £200 Security Deposit (refundable) and a £275 Pre-Payment.
What if I am travelling/on holiday/away from home when you send the offer?
If you are away when we send you the offer of Accommodation, a parent/third party is not allowed to sign on your behalf, only the named student can sign the contact.
The parent or third party should contact the Accommodation Manager at accommodation@ucb.ac.uk or call 0121 604 1000 Ext 2331 stating that the student would like to accept the Residential Contract and the date you expect the student to sign and return the enclosed Contract.
The parent or third party should pay the £200 Security Deposit and the £275 Pre Payment on the student's behalf within 14 days of receiving the offer. The named student should then sign the Contract and return it to the Accommodation Manager on their return.
What should I do if I don’t want to accept the offer?
Please inform the Accommodation Manager on accommodation@ucb.ac.uk or call 0121 243 0131 stating that you no longer require accommodation. This will allow us to quickly allocate your room to another student.
If you have already signed a contract and wish to break the contract, a new student must be found to replace you. Therefore you will need to inform us in writing as soon as possible to allow us to re-allocate the room out and cancel your contract. Please be aware that if the contract starts you will be responsible for the rent until the new student is found.
Are the Halls of Residence catered of self catered?
UCB accommodation is self catered. We provide well equipped kitchens and individual lockable food cupboards. Self catering allows you the flexibility to cook when you want, and not be dictated by meal times of catered halls. It also gives you more responsibility to actually take care of yourself and prepare for 'real life'. Self catered accommodation usually works out cheaper than catered and allows you to eat whatever you chose.
What should I bring with me?
Documents:
Medical card for registration at a doctor
Cheque book and card, credit card or sufficient cash for the first week
2 passport sized photographs, if not previously sent.
Study Bedroom:
Sheets, duvet / blankets, pillow case, pillow (please note that beds are a standard single 3ft 6)
Kitchen:
The accommodation is self catering. You will need to provide your own cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery etc. you may wish to share / purchase non-essential items with other residents when you settle in.