Bournemouth is a bustling student town and there聽are loads of great places to live while you鈥檙e at uni. With so many options available, these answers to frequently asked questions should help you decide what will be right for you.聽
Can I book accommodation if I applied after the January UCAS deadline?
We can only guarantee a room聽to undergraduate applicants for September 2025聽entry聽who meet the聽UCAS deadline of 18:00, 29 January 2025, and meet the other terms and condition of the Accommodation聽Guarantee.
Can I book accommodation if BU is my insurance choice?
We do not guarantee a room in the BU student accommodation portfolio if you have chosen BU as your insurance choice. However, you will be able to book any rooms available after聽14聽August 2025聽(A-level results day). We will contact you with an update on your options nearer the time.
Can I book accommodation if I apply through Clearing?
We do not guarantee a room in the BU student accommodation portfolio if you apply to BU thorugh Clearing. However, you will be able to book any聽rooms available after聽14聽August 2025聽(A-level results day). We will contact you with an update on your options nearer the time.
Can I book accommodation if I live within the BH postcode?
Yes. Once your offer status is showing as Unconditional Firm (UF), we guarantee accommodation for all undergraduate students who have selected BU as their firm choice and submitted their application by the聽UCAS deadline of 18:00, 29聽January聽2025.
Where should I live if I鈥檓 going to be on placement at a hospital?
Midwifery, Operating Department Practice and Nursing students will experience the full 24-hour shift pattern whilst on placement and for that reason we recommend you stay in accommodation close to the hospital, rather than the university campus. Our聽NHS accommodation web pages聽have comprehensive information about the rooms available in different locations and how to apply for them.
What accommodation can I book if I鈥檓 studying at a partner college?
Please contact the partner college directly for details of accommodation options available to you.
Can I book accommodation if I鈥檓 studying part time?
Unfortunately, to be eligible for BU accommodation students need to be studying full time at either our Lansdowne or Talbot campuses.
Who should I contact if I have specific needs?
Whether you have a specific disability or health condition that impacts on the type of accommodation you need, or you are a couple or have a聽family, you will have the chance to tell us about any additional requirements in the accommodation portal when you register for BU accommodation. We will then contact you to discuss your specific situation and the best options to meet your needs. However, we are not able to guarantee that a room that meets your specific needs will be available at the time you need it. Please see our the terms of our Accommodation Guarantee for more details.聽
How many rooms are there to choose from?
Building | Room type | En-suite / Non-en-suite | Number of rooms |
Chesil House | Standard | En-suite | 116 |
Standard | En-suite | 70 | |
Studio | En-suite | 25 | |
Lyme Regis House | Standard | En-suite | 400 |
Studio | En-suite | 10 | |
Okeford House | Standard | En-suite | 78 |
Studio | En-suite | 17 | |
Corfe House | Standard | En-suite | 186 |
Premium | En-suite | 54 | |
Premium | En-suite | 66 | |
Studio | En-suite | 2 | |
Purbeck House | Standard | En-suite | 514 |
Studio | En-suite | 5 | |
Dorchester House | Standard | En-suite | 506 |
Premium | En-suite | 16 | |
Studio (standard) | En-suite | 59 | |
Studio (large) | En-suite | 9 | |
Cranborne House | Standard | En-suite | 405 |
Premium | En-suite | 45 | |
Value | En-suite | 43 | |
Studio | En-suite | 4 | |
Student Village | Value | Non-en-suite | 159 |
Standard | Non-en-suite | 85 | |
Studio | En-suite | 0 | |
Studio | En-suite | 24 | |
Bungalow (2 bed) | Non-en-suite | 2 | |
Unilet Houses | Various | Non-en-suite | 21 |
Bailey Point | Standard | En-suite | 506 |
Studio | En-suite | 44 | |
St John's Road (January) | Standard | En-suite | 16 |
Studio | En-suite | 11 | |
Studio (Premium) | En-suite | 1 |
What is the difference between the room types?
There are different room types within our halls of residence, although you won't necessarily find examples of each in every hall.
- Standard room - These rooms have all the furniture you'll need to be comfortable. The room sizes are pretty standard but the bed size may vary between buildings, although beds will normally be either a standard single or four-foot-wide. These rooms will typically be in a cluster flat arrangement with a shared kitchen and living space.
- Value room - These rooms are of a very similar specification to standard rooms, but may be a little smaller or an irregular shape and the beds are standard singles.聽These rooms will typically be in a cluster flat arrangement with a shared kitchen and living space.
- Premium room - These rooms may have a higher specification than standard rooms, such as improved light fittings, additional or better-quality furniture, different decor or a heated towel rail. They will be larger than Standard or Value聽rooms and will have a four-foot bed.聽These rooms will typically be in a cluster flat arrangement with a shared kitchen and living space.
- Studios - These are self-contained units, with their own en-suite bathroom and kitchenette, as well as a small living and study area and bedroom. They are typically between 18 and 22 square metres, although some units are larger. Beds vary in size from single to full double.
- Non-en-suite - Single bedooms in the Student Village and Unilet have shared bathroom facilities.
- En-suite - All studios have their own en-suite bathroom as do all other rooms types other than those in the Student Village and Unilet.
Check out the individual聽accommodation聽web pages聽for specific information, including bed sizes.聽
Can I move rooms or to a different hall or house after the start of term?
Not as a rule and requests to move will not normally be considered for at least the first four weeks to give you time to settle in. However, if after this you are still struggling to settle聽then聽you should speak to your accommodation team聽or聽contact the Residential Services聽about your options.聽
How much does it cost?
You can view all the information on how much BU accommodation costs, what's included in your rent and when you have to pay at our Costs, payment and what's included webpage.
Can I live with a host family?
If you would prefer to stay with a local family please contact the Residential Services team聽for further information about HomeStay.
What accommodation options do you have for families/couples?
We have a very limited amount of accommodation specifically for families and couples, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
As these properties are available as longer lets 鈥撀爑p to three full years, or the entire length of a student鈥檚 course 鈥撀爐hey are not always available at the beginning of each academic year.
Visit our accommodation for families and couples page for further information about your options.
Can I book BU accommodation if I am under 18 years of age?
If your 18th birthday falls after the first day of term then you will need to refer to and follow our Under 18 Accommodation Booking policy.