Accommodation FAQs

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about our accommodation.

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Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about our accommodation.

Need some assistance?

If you have any difficulties or concerns relating to your financial circumstances, accessibility or general wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact the Residential Life Office on 020 8223 4445 or residentiallife@uel.ac.uk to discuss further.

I can't log in or register on the accommodation portal, what should I do?

Please take a screenshot of the error message appearing and email this to ResidentialLife@uel.ac.uk.

Am I eligible to make an application?

If you are a new student, you are eligible to live in our Halls of Residence if:

  • You are over 18
  • You are starting your first year of studies at UEL
  • You are studying a full-time course
  • You have an unconditional firm offer to study at the University of East London

 

If you are a returning student, you are eligible to live in our Halls of Residence if:

  • You are over 18
  • You are studying a full-time course
  • You are progressing in your studies at the University of East London
  • You do not have rent arrears or previous disciplinary warnings

 

You can also check out our Eligibility criteria page for full details.

What are the local amenities?

There are various food outlets on site, including University canteens which serve hot food throughout the week. Starbucks, The Edge and Costa Coffee are situated on campus and open Monday to Friday. 'The Shop', situated in the East Building, is open every day.

Asda is approximately ten minutes' walk away or two stops on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Tesco is approximately a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride. A small Co-op is a five-minute walk along the dockside from the East Village. There are other outlets, such as restaurants, a pharmacy and the popular Wellbean Cafe, situated near both of the above supermarkets.

Stratford's Westfield shopping centre is approximately 20 minutes away by DLR/London Underground. Here you will find most stores and restaurants that Central London has to offer, including a multiplex cinema and bowling lanes.

Are there any communal spaces on campus for students/residents?

The Residential Life team provides three common rooms for residents, open daily from 9 am to 11 pm, including weekends. Two are located on the ground floor of Clare House. One is located opposite the Residential Life office in Longbridge House. The Longbridge common room is the largest and is equipped with a TV, a speaker, and board games, making it ideal for socialising or hosting events.  See information on how to book the common rooms on our intranet site for current students.

The University also offers various other communal spaces for students: 

  • The Hub: Features board games and table football.
  • The Lounge: A relaxing space in the West Building.
  • The Nook Café: Located in the North Building.
  • The Students' Union: Situated in the North Building, with an on-campus bar. 

For outdoor activities, residents have access to communal sports facilities, including basketball courts and table tennis tables.

Can I park a car on campus?

We can't offer daytime car parking (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Docklands campus, except during move-in and move-out.

However, we do reserve a limited number of spaces for Blue Badge holders. If you hold a Blue Badge and require a parking space, please contact ResidentialLife@uel.ac.uk or call us at +44 (0)20 8223 4445.

Do I need to register for a GP near campus?

We strongly encourage all new students at the University of East London to register with Royal Docks Medical Practice, our healthcare provider located less than five minutes from the Docklands campus.

Are there sports facilities on campus?

Yes, our SportsDock complex is located on the Docklands campus. The facility features a state-of-the-art gym, indoor and outdoor sports pitches, dance and aerobics studios, a martial arts studio, and teaching rooms.

East London Sport and Residential Life organises inter-hall tournaments throughout the year, and you can join various sports clubs and societies.

Find out more about the SportsDock.

Can I smoke on campus?

All university buildings, including our Halls of Residence, are non-smoking. Designated smoking areas are available outside the halls.

I am a Stratford-based student, can I still apply to live in halls?

Yes, students across all campuses can apply to live in our halls of residence, with a free shuttle bus to transport you from Docklands to other campuses.

How can I report maintenance issues?

For all maintenance issues, you must use the Halls of Residence maintenance request form. This form is available on the university's intranet, and you can also access it by scanning the QR code located in your flat kitchen.

What deposit is required to secure my room on campus?

Upon receiving your provisional room offer, you will be required to pay a £750 deposit to secure your room. 

This payment is made up of: 

  • A £500 advance rent payment, which is deducted from your total tenancy cost.
  • A £250 security deposit, which is fully refundable after you move out, provided there are no rent arrears and your room is returned in its original condition.

What do I do once I have made my application?

After you submit your application, the next step is verification by the Residential Life Team. All eligible applications will be verified within 48 hours.

Please see our Deadline Dates page for further information on the timeframes in which applications will be processed.

If you have submitted your application but you are currently holding a condition firm offer, your application will be held until you satisfy your entry requirements. When you satisfy your requirements (receive an Unconditional Firm offer from UEL), your application will be processed.

For a full breakdown of the application process, including timelines and deadline dates, please see our How to Apply page.

Can I be allocated to live with friends?

The "Living with Friends" applications are open to all students. After submitting your main accommodation application, you can complete a separate "Living with Friends" application.

The process, terms and conditions and application form can be found on our Living With Friends intranet page. Please note that you will need to be logged in to view this page.

I am an international student; how do I pay my deposit?

The payment method for all international students is Flywire, an easy-to-use online platform.

With Flywire, you can: 

  • Pay in your local currency.
  • Track your payment's progress.
  • Process payments faster with greater transparency.

 If you have any trouble making or tracking a payment, you can access Flywire's 24/7 customer service in your local language.

Please find information on how to use Flywire.

I have received a provisional room offer but it is not my first choice. If I reject it, will I receive another room offer?

If you reject your provisional room offer, we cannot guarantee that you will receive another one. The team will do their best to match your preferences, but an alternative offer may not be available.

Are there any cancellation costs?

If you have not yet accepted your room offer, there is no cancellation fee. After accepting, cancellation costs vary depending on the timing and reason for your request:

  • More than 7 days before move-in: There is no charge.
  • Less than 7 days before move-in: You will be charged a £50 change of contract fee.
  • After your tenancy begins: You will be charged a £50 change of contract fee and will be responsible for rent until a replacement student is found.

 If your cancellation is due to visa rejection, travel restrictions, or medical reasons, these cases will be assessed individually. Please contact residentiallife@uel.ac.uk as soon as possible if any of these circumstances relate to you.

Please refer to the Allocation Policy for the full cancellation process and charges.

How is my rent calculated?

Your total rent is calculated by multiplying the nightly cost of your room type by the number of nights in your tenancy. A £250 deposit is charged in addition to this total.

How do I pay my rent?

After accepting your room offer, you'll receive an email notification that your payment plan is ready to be set up on UEL Direct. 

A payment plan divides your total remaining rent into equal instalments to be paid throughout the year. The amount you need to set up will be your total rent for the tenancy, minus any payments you've already made. 

Once your plan is created, you will get an email with the due dates and amounts for each instalment. You can also view this information at any time by logging into UEL Direct and navigating to "My Payments" > "Student Statement." 

To pay your rent, follow the same steps. Simply click on the instalment you want to pay to be redirected to the payments page.

What's included in my rent?

Rent includes all utility bills, basic contents insurance from Howden Insurance and up to 100 Mbps WiFi/Ethernet access in your flat. Please note that laundry charges are not included. The on-site laundry facilities are operated by Circuit Laundry, and you will need to download their app upon arrival to pay for and use the machines.

Please see the Campus Living page for more details.

Can I change my room if I don't like it?

You may request a room move during the academic year, but it is not guaranteed to be approved. You can find more information about the room move request process on the Intranet.

Do I need to get my own contents insurance?

Basic contents insurance from Howden Insurance is included in your rent. However, this policy may not cover all high-value items. You can check your specific coverage and purchase an upgrade on the Howden website.

What do I need to bring?

As a general guide, you'll need to bring your own bedding, as well as items for cooking and dining.

Please note: If you are attending the University's International Welcome Programme, Residential Life will provide a bedding pack for you upon arrival. More information will be sent to you via email and on our intranet closer to your move-in date.

Can the aeroplanes be heard on campus?

You can sometimes hear the planes but all dock-facing rooms are triple-glazed and the airport is only permitted to operate flights between:

  • 06.30 and 22.30 hours on weekdays
  • 06.30 and 13.00 hours on Saturdays
  • 12.30 and 22.30 on Sundays
  • 09.00 and 22.30 hours on Public or Bank Holidays
  • Full closure on 25 December
  • The final 30 minutes of operation is solely for flights scheduled earlier which have been unavoidably delayed.

Can I bring my bicycle?

Yes, we strongly encourage using green transport methods to get around London. You can find bike stations on campus to securely lock your bicycle, but you will need to bring your own lock.