How we allocate accommodation on our Canterbury campus

Why applying early for accommodation matters

When it comes to securing your preferred student accommodation, timing is everything. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to be allocated your first or second choice.

Our allocation system works by placing students into the highest available preference, starting with those who hold unconditional offers and applied the earliest. So, submitting your application early gives you a better chance of getting the room you really want.

Changed your mind later on?
No problem. If you log back into your account to update your accommodation preferences, your original application date will still be used for allocation purposes, so updating your choices won’t disadvantage you.

How the allocation process works

If your first preference is full, the system will automatically try your second choice. If that’s also full, it will move on to your third and fourth preferences.

Importantly, the system only allocates you to accommodation that’s suitable for your student type. For example, if you’re an undergraduate and select Woolf College Studios (which are reserved for postgraduates or students with specific medical needs), the system will skip this option and move to the next valid one.

Final checks

After the bulk of allocations are made, our Accommodation Team carries out a final review to ensure everything is in order and to take into account the considerations listed below.

What happens if you don’t get one of your preferences?

Some residences are in high demand and can become oversubscribed. While we do our best to allocate you to one of your chosen preferences, this isn’t always possible.

To reduce the chance of missing out, apply as early as you can and consider choosing preferences spread across different campus locations. If none of your selected preferences are available, don’t worry – we’ll use the information you provided in your application form to place you in the next most suitable available residence.

How we allocate accommodation: What we consider

When allocating rooms, we take several factors into account to help ensure every student has the best possible living experience.

Priority for on-campus living

Our goal is to accommodate all new first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students on campus, including those applying through Clearing.
If you’re not eligible for our guaranteed room offer, your application will still be considered once you have an unconditional firm offer to study at Kent. However, your room allocation will be subject to availability.

Who you’ll be living with

Wherever possible, we house first-year undergraduates, returning students, and postgraduates in separate flats or blocks. This helps new students settle in and make friends more easily by sharing space with others who are also new to university life.

Diversity and inclusion

We are committed to building an inclusive, welcoming community. We aim to mix genders and nationalities within flats, depending on demand and availability, to encourage a diverse and open environment.

Single-gender flats are available where demand allows – if this is important to you, just let us know in the ‘additional notes’ section of your application.

Note: We do not allocate based on ethnicity. Our system and team do not have access to that information.

Under 18s

If you’ll be under 18 when you start at Kent, we prioritise your accommodation needs. Whether you prefer an en-suite, a meal plan, or single-gender housing, we’ll do our best to match your preferences.

Medical needs

We support students with medical conditions by offering accommodation that suits those requirements. Be sure to include relevant details in the ‘additional notes’ section of your application. If you have questions before applying, our Accommodation Team is here to help, and you can find more information and support on our Accessible Accommodation page, including links to the Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Allocating by age

Students often tell us they feel more comfortable living with others of a similar age, especially in their first year. So, where possible, we group students of similar ages together, depending on demand.

Special requests

Have something specific in mind? We do our best to accommodate:

• Requests to live with friends (make sure everyone lists each other’s names and applicant IDs!)

• Extra-long beds

• Single-gender flats

• Moderate living accommodation

Just include any special requests in the ‘additional notes’ section of your application. While we can’t guarantee everything, we’ll always try our best, based on availability and demand.

Apply early for the best chance

We want every student to feel at home. That’s why we consider all these factors when allocating rooms. However, due to high demand and limited availability, not all requests can be met.

The best way to maximise your chances of securing one of your top accommodation preferences? Apply as early as possible.