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 Kingston University, there is lots more information on our accommodation for disabled students. You can also attend tours of our accommodation at all Open Days and Autism Transition day event.

When applying for accommodation, you will be invited to access the booking site via the accommodation web portal. You MUST make all requests clear on the application form. For example, if you need an automated door, a wet room, a ground floor room, en-suite facilities, a deaf alerter and any other requirements.

The Accommodation Team will allocate rooms using this information. Therefore, it is vital you give as much information as possible so the team can allocate you the most appropriate room.

This article was written by Kate Walker, Disability Advisor at Leeds Beckett University, which has been adapted for Kingston University.