Campus living
Moving into halls
Checking in
All residents must register for a move-in time slot via the e-induction that will be accessible once you have accepted your accommodation agreement. On 14 September you will be able to collect your keys from the Residential Life office of the Docklands campus, there will also be a range of events and activities throughout the rest of the week.
Further information on your welcome schedule will be sent to all students closer to the time.
Tip: remember your allocated building, as keys are organised according to building.
Outside of Welcome Weekend, you can collect your keys from the Residential Life Office during normal working hours of 9am - 5pm Monday through Sunday.
Please be aware that before arriving you need to have accepted your accommodation offer and agreement, completed the e-induction, selected your arrival slot and set up a payment plan. Failure to complete all these steps before you arrive could result in a delay in issuing your keys.
If you require special arrangement to collect your keys, you can contact Residential Life on +44 (0)20 8223 4445 or at residentiallife@uel.ac.uk
Inventory
After you have arrived and collected your keys, you’ll need to fill out the inventory form. This is available on the Accommodation Portal.
You’ll need to check every item in your room and communal areas and record anything that is missing or damaged. We use the inventory to record the condition of the room or property when you move in and compare it to the condition of the room or property when we complete periodic inspections and check-out inspections.
The inventory must be completed within seven days of your arrival to avoid being held responsible for any missing items or damages when you move out.
Payment plans & rent
FAQs
Q: Is there a deadline for me to set up my payment plan?
A: We ask that all students set up their payment plan before their arrival to the Halls of Residence. However, we understand that due to access to UEL Direct and Enrolment, this may not always be possible. We therefore have the following deadlines in place:
- If you are arriving as part of the September intake, you need to ensure your payment plan is set up by 30 October. Failure to set up your payment plan will result in your full rent being due on 30 October.
- If you are arriving mid-year, or later than September intake, you need to ensure your payment plan is set up by the 30th of the month you arrive. For example, if you arrive on the 5 November, you need to ensure your payment plan is set up by the 30 November. If you arrive on the 20 March, you need to ensure your payment plan is set up by 30 March. Failure to set up your payment plan by the 30th of your arrival month will result in your full rent being due.
Q: How do I log into UEL Direct?
A: Open UEL Direct and enter your UEL username (EXAMPLE u1234567@uel.ac.uk). Enter your password which is YOUR date of birth in the following format: ddMmmyyyy (Example: 06Jan1991).
Please note the password is case-sensitive. Once you have correctly entered your details, click on the Sign in button.
Q: I do not have access to UEL Direct, who do I contact?
A: You will only have access to UEL Direct once your enrolment task is available to you. If you have issues accessing UEL Direct, please contact the Student Hub via 0208 223 4444.
Q: There is not an option for me to pay my rent in full, what should I do?
A: If you wish to pay your rent in full, please set up any payment plan, you can then make a payment via your student statement for all instalments at once.
Q: I have set up a payment plan, however, I wish to change my payment plan, what should I do?
A: Please email residentiallife@uel.ac.uk and advise if you wish to change your payment plan. Your payment plan will then be cancelled, and you will be emailed to set up a new one. Please note, that your payment plan will not be cancelled and rescheduled if you are in arrears.
Q: How do I set up a recurring card payment/direct debit?
A: Paying via recurring card payments is no longer an option for paying your rent. Payments need to be paid manually via UEL Direct by going to My Payments > Student Statement > “Make an Accommodation Payment”. You will then be directed to the payment system, Flywire.
Settling in
Once you move in, have a wander around and introduce yourself to your flatmates. Familiarise yourself with your new surroundings and remember to make a note of where the fire exits are located.
You will need to attend one of our welcome inductions in the first few weeks of the term. These are compulsory for new students and will provide you with lots of useful information regarding your stay in halls.
If you have any issues or concerns regarding your accommodation, don’t hesitate to speak to a member of the Residential Life team. They are responsible for the day-to-day running of your accommodation and are here to help.
Your deposit
You are required to pay a £250 deposit. Provided there is no damage, missing items or outstanding rent when you move out, we will refund your deposit in full approximately four weeks after the end of your contract.
Payment is usually made by via UEL Epay and will be refunded via the original method of payment.
Moving out early
If you wish to move out of halls, you are liable for the rent until the end of your tenancy or until a replacement student can be found.
For more information, please read your Accommodation Agreement and/or the Allocation Policy.
Campus living
Our student halls at the Docklands Campus are modern, secure, convenient and a great way of making new friends.
Transport
Living in our student halls you’ll enjoy fantastic transport links to our Stratford campus and central London.
A free, regular bus operates between the Docklands and Stratford campuses, with a bus stop directly outside the Student Village.
The Docklands campus is also served by Cyprus Station, on the Docklands Light Railway, which is part of the Greater London Underground system. It is located right at the campus entrance, giving you access to central London in less than half an hour. Stratford and Canary Wharf are both 20 minutes away. The campus is also connected to the centre of the capital by 24-hour buses, so it couldn't be easier to get around.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer car parking at our Docklands campus, although 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 on +44 (0)20 8223 4445.
You’re welcome to bring a bicycle. There are secure bike sheds located around the campus. Please note that you’ll need to bring your own bicycle lock.
Security
Your safety and security are our top priority. The University has an on-campus security team available 24 hours a day in person and by phone. Our security officers are responsible for patrolling the halls regularly to ensure you are as safe and secure as possible. We have a dedicated Security helpdesk located at the eastern end of the East Building atrium which students can visit at any time.
Additionally, each room contains a telephone from which you can ring Security directly at any time. The University has a dedicated emergency line if you need urgent assistance, and we work closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure students feel safe and happy around campus.
UEL also operates a 'silent witness' scheme, so you can make an anonymous report of any incident that may have worried you.
There are numerous CCTV cameras positioned around the Student Village. Each one is active and monitored by our Security team in the UEL control room. There’s also a strict visitor policy in place, so you can take comfort in knowing that the only people in our Halls of Residence are authorised visitors or fellow residents.
Our accommodation is a student community and, as a result, a level of noise in Halls on campus should be expected. However, if you feel that the noise is getting excessive, Residential Life have a noise complaint process which can be viewed on our Intranet pages.
Laundry
The University provides on-site laundry facilities in both the East and West Halls which is managed by an external company, Circuit Laundry. The machines are cashless and are operated using the Circuit Laundry App.
Launderette locations:
- Clare House laundry - Ground floor of Clare House (For use by Ailsa, Clare, Felix and Jamilah residents)
- Longbridge House laundry - Opposite the Residential Life office (For use by Kwame, Longbridge, Marley and Redbridge residents)
- Templars House laundry - Ground floor of Templars House (For use by Shepherd and Templars residents)
Common Rooms
Residential Life has three common rooms, one in Longbridge House and two in Clare House. Our common rooms are open for UEL residents to book between 4pm and 11pm daily, including weekends.
Longbridge common room is the larger of the two rooms. It includes a TV, speaker and board games so it is ideal for relaxing with friends or hosting events. Clare common room is a cosy space with a TV, a small kitchen area, puzzles and different board games. Please note, that no alcohol is permitted in Clare House Common Room.
For more information on how to book the common rooms, please visit here.
Living Learning Communities
Would you like to:
- Meet new people with shared/common interests
- Have new experiences that encourage new ideas and opinions
- Learn transferable and enhancing skills
- Participate in educational, social and career-enhancing activities
- Enhance your student accommodation experience
- Increase positive impact on your local community
- Have fun
- Enhance your CV and career opportunities
If so, when applying for accommodation, please select from the following options to be part of our Living Learning Community:
- Mental and Physical Wellbeing: This community focuses on supporting and improving your mental and physical well-being.
- Environment and Sustainability: This community focuses on engaging, promoting and working with fellow students who are committed to protecting the environment.
- Social Justice (including Volunteering): This community focuses on contributing to the local and wider community through engaging in practices that promote equality and inclusion and promoting volunteering opportunities.
These options are designed to help you meet new people with shared/common interests, to enhance your student living experience, to learn transferable and enhancing skills and in turn improve your CV and career opportunities. The information provided will be used to let you know about events, campaigns and educational/social and career-enhancing opportunities. Your information will also be shared with other departments for opportunities relating to your selection.
Scholars
Our Residential Life Scholars are full-time students who work as part of our Residential Life team. As a resident, they will be your first point of contact and welcome you to your new home. You will see them throughout the year hosting events and they are just a phone call/text away if you want to chat. Please find their phone number on your kitchen wall posters and on our Intranet page.
Welfare Officers
Residential Life has two Welfare Officers. They are here to provide accessible welfare support and guidance to all students living in our Halls of Residence. They serve as a first point of contact for students who require pastoral care and support across a range of welfare issues. At least one Welfare Officer will be on campus seven days a week, 9am-5pm. If you need to reach out to the Welfare Officers directly, please email reslifewelfare@uel.ac.uk.