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Last updated: 22 July 2021
If you’re ready to think about booking accommodation in the UK, we’ll be here to support you. We’ve answered some commonly asked questions below to help you prepare, so you can feel safe, secure and confident in your UK accommodation.
Summer 2021 short contractsAutumn 2021 (September–December)Yes, you can book an accommodation contract lasting from 2 weeks through to the end of the Summer.
If you started your course remotely and plan to join us in the UK, you can book your accommodation to finish your programme in person. You can decide when you want to arrive and how long you want to stay for, from a minimum of 2 full weeks, until September 2021.
If you have an existing Kaplan booking, and you have already occupied your room, then you cannot cancel your existing contract to rebook.
We advise you to only book your accommodation once your CAS has been issued and you know that you are definitely coming to the UK (travel restrictions permitting).If you are already in the UK, you can book Kaplan-arranged as soon as you are ready.
If you are ready to book your accommodation, you can do so on your chosen college’s accommodation page on our website.
If you’d like to book your accommodation before your CAS has been issued, you can. However, please note that you will not be able to cancel your accommodation agreement once you have signed it.
You can move into your room when you are ready to; our arrival dates are flexible. You can stay for a minimum of 2 weeks, or until the end of the Summer 2021. You can therefore start your programme remotely if you wish, then move into your UK accommodation later. Alternatively, if your programme starts in the Summer, you can start your studies in the UK in your Kaplan-arranged accommodation.
There is a wide range of high-quality accommodation options for you to choose from. You can browse our accommodation guides to find out more.
While every effort will be made to allocate your first choice, we cannot guarantee this. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis and all options are subject to availability. Therefore you may be offered another accommodation type or location, or we may refer you to one of our modern and stylish third-party providers. Either way, we’ll be here to support you through the booking process.
Yes — if you choose to defer your study programme, you will also be able to defer your accommodation booking.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated accommodation team: [email protected]
Yes, you can book accommodation for courses starting in September, October, November or December this year. Once you have accepted your offer to study, you will be able to choose your accommodation and book it.
You can browse our accommodation guides to find out more about accommodation at each destination. You can also look at the accommodation web page for each college on our site.
If your course starts from September 2021 until December 2021 you’re guaranteed a room with us if you accept your offer to study by the guarantee date as below:
| Your accommodation contract start month | Guarantee date to book accommodation |
|---|---|
| September 2021 | 1 August 2021 |
| October 2021 | 1 September 2021 |
| November 2021 | 1 October 2021 |
| December 2021 | 1 November 2021 |
Don’t worry, if you miss the guarantee deadline we’ll still do all we can to find you a fantastic place to stay during your course.
We currently expect our colleges to be open in the Autumn and welcoming students for in-person teaching; you can therefore book accommodation for courses starting in September, October, November or December this year. Once you have accepted your offer to study, you will be able to choose your accommodation option that matches your courses dates.
You can browse our accommodation guides to find out more about accommodation at each destination. You can also look at the accommodation web page for each college on our site.
Yes, if you start your course in September 2021, you can book an accommodation contract starting on 23 October 2021 for most courses. Should you decide to start your accommodation in October, your accommodation cost will be reduced accordingly, which will be confirmed when you receive your contract.
For students on the University of Bristol International Foundation Programme, the accommodation contract start date is 18 September 2021.
For pathway courses starting in September 2021, we’re offering flexible arrival dates for accommodation contracts. You can choose an accommodation contract starting on 11 September, or on 23 October (subject to availability) to allow you to start your studies at home before transitioning to the UK.
You can also arrive up to 2 weeks early (subject to availability) at no extra cost. This will give you time to self-isolate if required. For example, if your accommodation contract starts on 11 September 2021, you can arrive from 28 August. If you are travelling from a country on the UK government’s ‘red list’ and need to isolate in a quarantine hotel, you’ll also get £1,000 – £1,750 to help cover the cost of the stay. Learn more about arrival support here.
You can browse our accommodation guides to find out more about accommodation at each destination. You can also look at the accommodation web page for each college on our site.
There is a wide range of high-quality accommodation options for you to choose from. You can browse our accommodation guides to find out more.
While every effort will be made to allocate your first choice, we cannot guarantee this. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis and all options are subject to availability. Therefore you may be offered another accommodation type or location, or we may refer you to one of our modern and stylish third-party providers. Either way, we’ll be here to support you through the booking process.
Yes — if you choose to defer your study programme, you will also be able to defer your accommodation booking.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated accommodation team: [email protected]
Yes, once you have decided when you would like to join us in the UK you can book the date to match so you only pay from when you arrive (with a minimum 2-week booking).
No, you tell us how long you wish to stay for (with a minimum 2-week booking). We would advise you stay with us until at least the end of your studies.
Don’t forget, our dedicated accommodation team is here to guide you through your options if you need help or support. Please contact us at [email protected]
For most of the courses you’ll need to arrive on the accommodation start date. This will be 11 September 2021 or 23 October 2021, depending on the start of the programme you applied for. To give you more flexibility, you’ll be able to arrive up to 2 weeks earlier (dependant on availability) should you need to self-isolate prior to the start of your course.
If you’ll be studying at the University of York International Pathway College, the accommodation start date is 25 September 2021, with an option to start digitally and then book accommodation to start on 23 October. For students on the University of Bristol International Foundation Programme, the accommodation start date is 18 September 2021. For all courses you will be able to arrive up to 2 weeks earlier (subject to availability).
You can review all the accommodation start date for the Autumn 2021 intake on the ‘dates and prices’ page of each of our accommodation guides.
Yes. If you need to self-isolate, we will support you as much as we can. That’s why, during Summer 2021, you can tell us how long you’d like to stay for (from a minimum of 2 weeks). Therefore, if you need to self-isolate you can build this into your stay.
If you’re a student on a Summer 2021 accommodation contract, you can arrive in your residence early, subject to availability; please let us know and we can confirm further details along with any costs.
If you’re a student starting in Autumn 2021, you can move into your room up to 2 weeks early (subject to availability) free of charge to allow you to self-isolate. If you are travelling from a country on the UK government’s ‘red list’ and need to isolate in a quarantine hotel, you’ll receive £1,000–£1,750 to help cover the cost of the stay. Learn more about arrival support here.
Yes, we will offer our usual free coach transfer service on the main arrival weekends to take you directly to your accommodation booked through Kaplan. The available dates are:
We’ll continue to run socially distanced transfers that can take students securely to their destination as safely as possible.
Drivers will be adhering to government health and safety guidelines, including limiting the number of people on each coach and asking passengers to wear masks. Vehicles will also frequently be disinfected and thoroughly cleaned.
We also can arrange a private transfer (subject to a fee) on your preferred date outside of the dates specified above.
If you arrive in the UK during the national lockdown, you should plan to head directly to your accommodation, in keeping with local rules.
We will continue to follow UK government health and safety guidelines at all times, so you can rest assured that our residences and accommodation partners are taking the necessary precautions to protect your wellbeing.
We’re committed to keeping students supported and safe throughout any lockdown, with extra measures in place to make any period of additional restrictions as comfortable as possible. This means that we will: keep helping students access food and drink; continue keeping safety measures in place across the residences as hand sanitiser stations; carry out frequent and thorough cleaning, including extra cleaning procedures for high-traffic points; enforce one-way systems; and make use of floor markings and signage to facilitate social distancing. Students will be able to join online social activities and keep in contact 24/7 with the residence team for any help that may need.
You can follow the latest UK Government actions about Covid-19 on this website.
Since 18 January 2021, you need to present a negative coronavirus test result to enter the UK from abroad. The test must be taken no more than 72 hours before departure. You will also need to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.
You also need to take 2 coronavirus tests during your 10-day period of self-isolation.
If you are travelling from a country on the UK government’s ‘red list’ and need to isolate in a quarantine hotel, you’ll receive £1,000–£1,750 to help cover the cost of the stay. Learn more about arrival support here.
You can see the most up-to-date travel advice on the gov.uk website. If you’re travelling to Scotland, you should check the gov.scot website.
Keeping all students and staff up to date and aware of health and safety measures is our top priority. We are following UK Government guidelines at all times, so you can rest assured that our residences and partners are taking the necessary precautions to protect your wellbeing. These include:
We’re committed to keeping students supported and safe, with special extra measures in place to make any quarantine period as pleasant as possible.
While we won’t be able to prepare meals for students, our residences are working on ways in which they can assist with meals if a quarantine period is required.
This could include helping students register for online food shopping, assisting with deliveries, and sharing details of local takeaway food providers, such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat.
A kitchen rota will be in place so that you can use the shared kitchen. No other students will be allowed in the kitchen while someone is already in there.
Residence staff will also assist you in any other way that they can.
Yes, if you have to self-isolate, you’ll still have full use of your bedroom and private bathroom, or studio flat.
A kitchen rota will be in place so that you can use the shared kitchen. No other students will be allowed in the kitchen while someone is already in there.
You will also still be to join in with the online social activities during Welcome Week, so you won’t need to miss out on getting to know your teachers and classmates.
If you’re still self-isolating in your accommodation when your classes begin, we’ll help you join your course through digital learning until you can go to college for face-to-face lessons, keeping you on your path to university.
Yes. If you live in a room with access to a shared kitchen you can still use these facilities to prepare your meals — you’ll need to adhere to the kitchen rota, wear a face covering and thoroughly disinfect the surfaces after use.
Due to the safety measures and social distancing in place, no other students will be allowed in the kitchen while someone is already in there.
To minimise the risks, you should take your meals to your room to eat during your quarantine period.
If you’d like to know more about studying in the UK, and how you don’t have to delay your dreams, visit our apply with confidence page.
If you have any questions regarding your current accommodation situation, or UK accommodation more generally, please contact our dedicated accommodation team at [email protected].
