Frequently asked questions about accommodation

First, you’ll need to register on the ResLife accommodation portal website. For full instructions, please see our how to apply guidance.

You can apply for accommodation once you've formally accepted your course offer through either UCAS or the University, allowing 48 hours for your acceptance to be processed. It’s a good idea to apply as soon as possible as we allocate on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can apply for accommodation if you've selected Staffordshire University as either your firm or insurance choice University via UCAS and have your Student ID number.

Yes, you can apply. However, priority is given to students who have us as their first choice.

We work through applications in date order from when we receive them. As you can imagine, there are a lot of applications so this process can take some time. Sit tight, we'll get back to you as soon as we can. We'll only send you an offer when your application to the University is unconditional and we’re your first choice. This means that if you've got exam results to wait for, it'll be after you receive them.

No, that's why we ask you to rank your options. You must add all our available accommodation options to your application and rank them from first choice to last choice before it can be submitted. Your application preferences are subject to availability, but we'll try our best to offer you the accommodation you want. Apply as soon as possible for a better chance. 

If you’re living in on-campus University-managed accommodation or College Court, you’ll be able to arrive in September 2022. Each move in day will be split into slots and numbers will be limited for each slot. You'll be provided with more information on how to book your arrival date and time and the arrival process before your start date so you have plenty of time to plan your arrival.  This will help everyone move in safely and make sure everyone can follow all of the safety information whilst moving into their new home.

We ask that you limit the number of people you bring along to help you move in as much as possible so that everyone has the space to move in and get settled.

International students, including EU, should check the UK Government guidance for travelling to the UK during COVID-19.

Once you’ve accepted your offer, we will let you know when your online induction is available. This is a very important step in arriving and living in our accommodation and you must complete the induction before you move in.

The induction includes important information on fire safety, personal safety, your Licence Agreement, the Code of Conduct and living with others.

After you’ve completed the induction, this will then open up the check-in pages where you can let us know what date and time you are arriving. This is the last step before you’re ready to move in.

At the end of the check-in process you will be provided with a key acknowledgment form. Make sure to have this with you and signed when you’re collecting your keys. Please also remember to bring a form of photo ID.

It's very rare that we can offer early move-in. However, if you have an exceptional reason why you want to move in early, let us know when and why during the induction process, or email us at reslife@staffs.ac.uk We'll then be able to let you know if we have early availability.

Yes, you can arrive late but you'll still be charged from the date your contract starts. Please let us know during your induction when you're planning on arriving.

Due to limited parking availability on campus, parking restrictions are in place and a permit scheme is in operation. Students living on-campus are within walking distance of studies and are therefore encouraged to use public transport for their travel needs. The Stoke-on-Trent campus is very close to the train station with excellent links to the rest of the country. There is also plenty of secure bicylce storage areas around the campus.

Parking is available for students staying in on-campus University accommodation subject to application and payment of relevant fees.

College Court

Limited parking is available at College Court from our residents on a first-come first-served basis. Contact reslife@staffs.ac.uk to check if parking is still available and reserve your spot.

Maybe. It depends how you watch TV. Visit the TV Licensing website for more information. We take care of the TV Licence for the TVs we provide in communal areas, so you don't need to worry about that.

Only in exceptional circumstances, such as for storing medication. Please email us at reslife@staffs.ac.uk to check if you qualify for a personal fridge.

We don't, however you can purchase bedding or kitchen utensils through Chaffinch Student. Chaffinch are a local company and we work together to make sure what you buy is in your room when you arrive.

Your RLAs will introduce themselves to you when you move in. They’re experienced students who have lived or are living in university managed accommodation. If you need help with something or are not sure who to ask, your RLA will point you in the right direction.

There’s a number of ways for residents to collect their post.

Leek Road Houses - ST4 2XQ

All post will get delivered directly to your house. No need to visit the post rooms. Make sure you use the right post code for the houses, and letters and parcels will come direct to your door.

Post Lockers - ST4 2YJ (Leek Road Halls) ST4 2TQ (Clarice Cliff)

We have two post lockers installed on campus, one at Leek Road Halls (opposite Spode) and another at Clarice Cliff (in the courtyard near the launderette). When you get a parcel or letter delivered to you, the post rooms at Coalport or Clarice Cliff will accept your package and, in most cases, will load it into one of the post lockers. You’ll get an email with a barcode on that will allow you to pick up your parcel or letters. The email will come from 'PackCity' and will be sent to the same email address you used to sign up on the ResLife portal, so make sure this is an email you have access to! Want to change which email address the notification goes to? Drop us an email at reslife@staffs.ac.uk and let us know and we'll update it for you. Can't see the email? Check your spam or junk folders so you don't miss any important notifications. 

Amazon Lockers

We have two Amazon lockers installed on campus, one at Leek Road Halls (opposite Spode - Banyan) and another at Clarice Cliff (in the launderette - Bendy). When you purchase something directly from Amazon, you should get your package delivered directly to the Amazon lockers if available.

Post Rooms

Not all post will come directly to you or be put into a post locker, sometimes parcels are just too big to fit in the locker. There are two post rooms on site, one in Coalport for residents of Leek Road Halls and one in the Clarice Cliff office for Clarice Cliff residents. Your post will be stored for you to collect if we can’t load it into a post locker and we'll usually let you know you have a parcel waiting. Please contact us before heading down to the post room and we can check if you have any post to collect.

Off-campus accommodation

If you’re living off campus in College Court or Stafford, check the postal arrangement in your accommodation with the team there.

Once your stay has ended, be sure to update your address! We don’t forward any mail – it will be returned to sender.

We have laundry facilities for the Leek Road Halls opposite Coalport, and a dedicated Clarice Cliff Court laundry room.

Brand new for 2022, our on campus facilities are managed by Washstation. You can download the Washstation App for easy top ups and use of the laundry.

We are accepting a limited number of returning students applications for the 2022/2023 academic year. Returning students should apply in the same way as a first year student and follow the returners pathway on the portal. First year applicants will be processed before returning students, so get your application in early!

The most recent copy of your Licence Agreement is publicly available so that you can review it before applying. This is a legally binding contract, so please read it fully and carefully.

Yes, you're covered under our block insurance policy up to £10,000. Our on-campus accommodation is covered by Endsleigh. You must make sure you register with Endsleigh to confirm your cover. More information on how to register will be given to you on your arrival.

If you're living off-campus, check with the team there about your Insurance cover.

Internet Services in our on-campus Stoke-on-Trent accommodation is provided by Glide. This means you get access to 30MBps internet included in your rent. You can create an account, select upgrade options, and access help and support at Glide's website.

College Court internet services are supplied by ASK4.

Can I stay for a short while instead of the whole year?

We do offer short stays for students (subject to availability). If, for example, you are on a placement or you are an apprentice and need to be on site for an exam or other study related task, you can apply for a short stay. We can only offer short stays for a up to a maximum of 6 weeks. If you want to stay longer, you must apply through the portal like usual. Please contact us at reslife@staffs.ac.uk to enquire about short stay availability.

Depending on which payment option you chose, you will either pay it all at once when you accept your offer or in instalments throughout the academic year. If you chose instalment, you'll pay a £250 pre-payment of rent to accept your offer. You'll pay the remaining balance over three instalments - it'll all be broken down for you when you accept your offer. We time these payments to coincide with when student finance payments are made. If you have any questions about how, where or when to pay, where to get a copy of your invoice, or any other questions, please contact income@staffs.ac.uk

You'll have to pay the full cost of your accommodation at the time of accepting your offer.

Yes, you can change your card details with the Finance Department. Please fill in this form to change your accommodation payment details. This requires a payment of £20 from the new card but don’t worry, this is taken off your next instalment, so you don’t pay any more.

If you need some advice or want to talk about any issues in your accommodation, contact the Residential Services team at reslife@staffs.ac.uk. 

Try to include brief details on your issues so that we can get them resolved for you as quickly as possible. 

It may be required, in very rare circumstances, to suggest that you move rooms in order to resolve any issues you may be having with flatmates. 

Our 24/7 Campus Safety and Security Service is always on hand to offer advice and support when you need it.

You can contact them on 01782 29 4837 

How else can I get help?

In an emergency you can call 01782 29444 for immediate assistance from the campus security team

You can also download the SafeZONE app for simple, one button help activation from your mobile or PC

In a serious emergency, always phone 999 

On-campus accommodation

You can report maintenance via the ResLife Portal or emailing 3600@staffs.ac.uk  Make sure you report maintenance as soon as you become aware of it so that we can resolve any issues as quickly as possible.

In an emergency, please contact the Campus Safety and Security Service on 01782 29 4837 and they will arrange support for your maintenance issue.

College Court 

The team at college court will help you with any maintenance issues with your accommodation. Check with the team there for further information about how to report maintenance. 

If the communal areas in your flat aren’t meeting health and safety standards, we’ll let you know that they need cleaning and by when. Our Residential Services Housekeeping Team are here to give advice and guidance on keeping your communal spaces clean and safe for everyone. There are even rewards for flats that have a great record of cleanliness!

If you have lost your key, let us know as soon as possible. This is because the security of the whole flat is at risk. Normally we’ll change your room lock and issue new keys to the flat. If you’ve not got your key but know where it is, let us know and we’ll try to help.

We open applications to change rooms after Welcome Week is over. So don't worry, come and speak to us. Unfortunately, we can't change your room before you arrive.

How do I apply to change rooms?

If you want to move rooms, you can put in a request through the ResLife Portal Service Desk and, depending on availability, we will locate you a different room. Room move requsts can take up to 14 days to process and a move is not always possible if there are no suitable vacant rooms to move to. We will do our best to find you a new suitable room where we can.