2026-27 Accommodation FAQs

Once you have accepted your accommodation offer with us, you will receive a Contract Formation Email. You’ll then receive a further email inviting you to complete your Welcome Induction and book your arrival slot. We encourage you to view our webpages which offer advice and guidance on moving in and what you might need to bring with you. 

Students living in private accommodation can still enjoy a full university experience and make lasting friendships through their academic programme, social activities, societies and campus events. We place a strong focus on helping new students build connections from day one through induction activities including Welcome Week events, peer networks, societies and community-building opportunities across the University.  

Many students build their closest friendships through their course as well as those they meet during Welcome Week, within societies, sports clubs and Students' Guild activities, regardless of where they live.  

Students living in a studio can still enjoy a full university experience and make lasting friendships through their academic programme, social activities, societies and campus events. We place a strong focus on helping new students build connections from day one through induction activities including Welcome Week events, peer networks, societies and community-building opportunities across the University.  

We understand some students are concerned about being allocated accommodation that is more expensive than their preferred choices. Where preferences cannot be met due to high demand and limited availability, allocations are made based on the remaining available accommodation options. If you decide that your allocated accommodation is not right for you, for any reason, you are able to withdraw your accommodation application and apply for a deferral of your university place. Choosing to defer will not disadvantage you in any way.  

We recognise that waiting for accommodation decisions can be stressful, particularly so close to the start of term. We are currently accommodating students who are covered by our Accommodation Guarantee which applies to eligible students who made Exeter their Firm choice and applied for accommodation by the published deadline. Guaranteed students who became Unconditional Firm before Wednesday 26 August will hear from us by the end of Friday 28 August. Guaranteed students who became Unconditional Firm from Wednesday 26 August will hear from us by Friday 4 September. 

Unfortunately for students falling outside the guarantee, we have no more availability in university accommodation. We recognise that this will be disappointing for students who selected Exeter as their Insurance choice or who have accepted a place through Clearing and we have been contacting these students to provide guidance on private housing options, including StudentPad and advice on renting safely, and to encourage them to consider their options as soon as possible.  We recommend looking at the advice offered by the Exeter Students’ Guild about finding accommodation. 

We understand how frustrating this can be and are continuing to provide updates through our accommodation webpages and communications as availability changes.  

We know that finding somewhere to live is an important part of preparing for university, and we understand that uncertainty about accommodation can be worrying, particularly as the start of term approaches.  

Students who join Exeter through Insurance, Clearing, or who applied for accommodation after 31 July are not covered by the University's Accommodation Guarantee. Due to exceptionally high demand this year, very few University rooms remained available for students outside the guarantee.  

At this stage, we will not be able to offer rooms to students who came through Insurance or Clearing. Instead, you will need to explore  private accommodation now, as availability in both purpose-built student accommodation and StudentPad-listed properties is extremely limited. We recommend looking at the advice offered by the Exeter Students’ Guild about finding accommodation. 

If you feel that accommodation challenges may affect your ability to start this September, we can consider requests to defer entry to 2027. Approved deferrals will not disadvantage applicants, and students will be covered by the Accommodation Guarantee for 2027 entry, as long as you meet the published Accommodation Guarantee criteria and apply by the relevant deadline. We have a separate FAQ explaining how to request a deferral. 

We recognise that this will be disappointing for students who selected Exeter as their Insurance choice or who have accepted a place through Clearing and we have been contacting these students to provide guidance on private housing options, including visiting StudentPad and offering advice on renting safely, and to encourage them to consider their options as soon as possible. We recommend looking at the advice offered by the Exeter Students’ Guild about finding accommodation. 

We understand how frustrating this can be and are continuing to provide updates through our accommodation webpages and communications as availability changes.  

We understand concerns that living off campus may feel different from the university experience some students had expected. However, where you live does not determine your ability to become part of the University of Exeter community, and there will be many opportunities to meet other students through Welcome Week, your course, societies and Students' Guild activities. We offer a wide range of social, academic and community activities designed to help students connect and build friendships throughout their first year.  

Our accommodation allocations are made in line with our published Accommodation Guarantee criteria. Students who defer and join in a future entry cycle will be considered under the accommodation arrangements and guarantee criteria that apply for that year. We are able to process deferred students' applications earlier, as they will already be at an Unconditional Firm status, but we ensure that we only fill a proportion of a residence with deferred students, leaving rooms for students who are waiting for exam results in the summer. 

We understand concerns about the availability and affordability of private accommodation. Demand across Exeter is currently very high, and we have been encouraging students to explore available private options as soon as possible rather than waiting for a University room to become available.  

If securing suitable accommodation is proving difficult, you may also wish to consider deferring your studies and applying for accommodation for a future entry point when availability may be greater. If you are thinking about deferring, please refer to the latest email from our Admissions team that outlines the process for this. You can also contact the Admissions team to discuss your options and any implications for your course.  

It is completely your choice if you wish to defer your entry to university until September 2027. We will be happy to approve a deferral request, and choosing to defer will not disadvantage you in any way. To request a deferral:  

• Email our Undergraduate Admissions team at: ug-ad@exeter.ac.uk  

• Use "Deferral" as the subject line  

• Include your Exeter Reference Number or UCAS Personal ID  

• Deadline to request a deferral is 31 August 2026  

• We will then review your request as quickly as possible  

Once your deferral is approved, you will be eligible for our accommodation guarantee for 2027, as long as you meet the published Accommodation Guarantee criteria and apply by the relevant deadline. Accommodation applications will open in April 2027, and we recommend applying as early as possible.  We'll be in touch nearer the time with details of how and when to apply.  

We cannot provide advice on this and it’s purely down to each individual and their own personal preference. If you would prefer to consider options elsewhere, you can:  

• Log in to your UCAS Hub  

• Select the 'Decline my place' option  

This will release you into Clearing, allowing you to apply to other institutions.