This article introduces typical accommodation options available and provides some tips for making the right choice for you.

Once you have an offer of a place at university you will need to think about where you would like to live. If you decide that you want to live away from home, your chosen university typically offers a variety of accommodation options suited to different budget, group sizes and lifestyle preferences.

As you spend a lot of time in your accommodation, it is important that you make the right choice for you. You may be sharing facilities such as kitchen and social spaces with your flatmates. Everybody has their own way of living, socialising and thresholds for cleanliness and noise levels.

During our research, autistic students have told us things they liked and didn’t like about their accommodation. These were related to the size of rooms, noise levels, distance to shops, availability of quiet spaces, the study choices and maturity of fellow tenants, and more.

Think about:

• Whether you want to live in a lively place in the city centre, or if you would prefer a quieter location outside of the city?
• Do you want accommodation that offers its own social calendar?
• Do you need an en-suite room?
• Do you want to be close to the University?
• Think about how you will get to University? Will you walk, cycle, travel by public transport?
• How many people you would be comfortable sharing with?

For those starting at the University of Chichester, there is a lot of information and virtual tours on our website: Accommodation – University of Chichester. You can also attend tours of our accommodation at Open Days and Applicant Days.

If you have shared information about your autism with us, then you will be eligible for the Priority Accommodation Route. This increases the likelihood that you will get your first choice accommodation. You can do this by completing the pathway on our Student Portal:

Applicant Student Support Portal

Accommodation is allocated on a first come, first served basis and so it is beneficial to apply as early as possible and make the Team aware of any specific requirements you have.

Many students choose to move into private rented accommodation after their first year at university. If you would like to remain in university accommodation after your first year, please let the Disability Team know this by the end of March.

This article was written by Kate Walker, Disability Advisor at Leeds Beckett University.