Application Updates
Applications for a room in Halls for the academic year 2026/27 are now open with a closing date of 23:45 hours on Sunday 10 May 2026. See the Accommodation homepage for link to Application Form.
Please see the FAQs below for crucial deadlines regarding accepting your offer and deposit deadlines.
We will only use your personal information to provide you with the services, products or information you have requested from us. We may need to share your information with our service providers at University of London and King’s College London for these purposes, but we will ensure that appropriate contracts are in place and they only process your information in accordance with our instructions and data protection legislation for the purposes of providing accommodation.
Accommodation FAQs
Accessible or Adapted Accommodation
We welcome applications from those students who may have a disability, or health concern that may require support with accommodation. If you give us the right information when you apply for accommodation, we will be better equipped to allocate a room that suits your needs. We will (subject to suitable accommodation being available within our portfolio) endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to support individuals who, due to a disability, long-term medical condition or sensory or physical impairment, require adapted accommodation or a particular location to help participate and enjoy a fulfilling university experience, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Application Deadlines
Applications will only be considered from those students who have firmly accepted a conditional or unconditional offer to study at the Courtauld or are a returning Courtauld student for the academic year 2026/27. Applications will be processed in two phases to allow us to present offers to applicants as early as possible. Please note that priority will be given to those who apply first. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the first application window to maximise your chances.
First Application Deadline: 23:45 hours, Wednesday 8 April 2026. Please note we will only be considering applications once this deadline has passed. We will notify the outcome of your application by no later than 17:00 hours on Friday 1 May 2026.
Second Application Deadline: 23:45 hours, Sunday 10 May 2026. For applications received after 23:59 hours on 5 April 2026, these will only be considered once the second application deadline has passed. We will notify the outcome of your application by no later than 17:00 hours on Friday 5 June 2026.
Acceptance, Licence Agreements, and Payment Deposit Deadlines
Duchy House, Courtauld Institute
Depending on which application period you have submitted your application, will depend on when you need to affirm your acceptance of a room offer.
We will notify room offers by either 1 May 2026 or 5 June 2026. You will then receive a further communication from the Courtauld w/c 4 May 2026 or w/c 8 June 2026 containing details of your Licence Agreement and how to accept and pay the deposit payment. Confirmation of acceptance of your room offer and payment of the deposit will need to be received by 23:45 hours on 17 May 2026 or 21 June 2026. Room offers not accepted by these deadlines, will be released and made available to those on our waiting list.
Intercollegiate Halls of Residence, University of London
Those offered a room in Intercollegiate Halls will initially be informed by the Courtauld by 1 May 2026 or 5 June 2026. You will then receive a direct communication from the University of London w/c 4 May 2026 or w/c 8 June 2026 containing details of your Licence Agreement and how to accept and pay the deposit payment. Confirmation of acceptance of your room offer and payment of your deposit will need to be received by 23:45 hours on 17 May 2026 or 21 June 2026.
Canada Water and Angel Lane, King’s College London
Those offered a room in Canda Water or Angel Lane will initially be informed by the Courtauld by 1 May 2026 or 5 June 2026. You will then receive a direct communication from the Kings Residence Team w/c 4 May 2026 or w/c 8 June 2026 containing details of your Licence Agreement and how to accept and pay the deposit payment. Confirmation of acceptance of your room offer and payment of your deposit will need to be received by 23:45 hours on 17 May 2026 or 21 June 2026.
Budgeting
Budgeting
Despite the challenges of living in London and the potential stress of planning ahead, there are several costs you won’t need to worry about when living in student halls. Your rent includes utilities, broadband, and insurance, and we notify the local council of your student status so you are exempt from Council Tax.
Catered vs Non-Catered
This leaves some of the more personal decisions to you — would you prefer a catered hall or a self-catered hall?
Although catered halls may appear more expensive at first glance, this may not always be the case. It is estimated that students spend between £150–£300 per month on food. While self-catered halls offer flexibility and independence, budgeting and meal planning can sometimes become stressful. Catered halls remove this pressure by providing meals aligned with recommended dietary guidance, which can make monthly spending more predictable. Please see the “Catered vs Non-Catered” section of our FAQs for further information.
Travel
Travel in London can become expensive if not carefully planned. Bus fares are approximately £3.50 for a single journey, with a daily cap of £5.25. Underground fares vary depending on the zones travelled. As of March 2026, a single off-peak journey within Zones 1–2 is £3.10, while peak-time travel is £3.60. The daily cap for Zones 1–2 is £8.90.
Travel costs can add up quickly, so it is important to consider the location of the halls you are applying for and factor in travel to and from your university.
Cleaning Supplies
Although cleaners attend communal areas within Halls, you should budget for your own cleaning products. This is particularly important if you choose an en-suite room, as you will be responsible for maintaining your private bathroom.
Laundry
Clothing, bedding, and towels all require regular washing and drying. While individual loads may not seem expensive, laundry costs can accumulate over time, so it is important to factor this into your overall budget.
Final Considerations
At first glance, rooms at some self-catered Halls may appear less expensive. However, when travel and food costs are considered, single catered rooms in some Intercollegiate Halls may represent better overall value for money than some self-catered options.
Catered vs Non-Catered
Catered Accommodation
Catered halls focus offer convenience and routine. You get meals provided as part of your rent, which removes the need to shop, cook, or wash up. This may make budgeting easier because food costs are fixed, and it will help you maintain regular eating habits. Dining halls also create a built‑in social environment, making it easier to meet other students — especially if you are in your first year. Catered living suits students who prefer structure, want predictable costs, or feel more comfortable easing into independent living.
Self‑Catered Accommodation
Self‑catered halls offer full independence. You can cook what you want, when you want, which works well for varied schedules, late nights, or specific dietary needs. It gives complete control over ingredients and spending, allowing you to tailor your food budget. Kitchens often become relaxed social spaces where you cook and eat with fellow residents. This option suits those who value flexibility, enjoy cooking, or want to manage their own routines and costs, and like washing up.
| Feature | Catered | Self-Catered |
| Meals | Provided for you | You cook your own |
| Routine | Set meal times | Total flexibility |
| Budgeting | Fixed cost | Student-controlled |
| Independence | Lower | Higher |
| Social life | Dining-hall community | Kitchen-based socialising |
| Dietary control | Limited | Full control |
| Time commitment | Minimal | Requires planning and cooking |
How to Choose
The right option depends on whether you value convenience or independence, and how you prefer to manage your time, budget, and daily routine. Thinking about lifestyle, study patterns, and comfort with cooking usually makes the choice clear.
Contract Extensions
The option to extend contracts for part or all of the summer period i.e. from early June through to early September 2027, is available for those living in Duchy House only upon request. However, the Licence Agreement for Term Time and Summer Time may differ as may the weekly tariff rate. As a result, we cannot guarantee that students will be able to stay in their Term Time room, if a contract extension is requested or agreed, after the initial Licence Agreement has been issued.
Eligibility
Due to our size, we are unable to provide family accommodation within Duchy House and our selected allocation of rooms within the University of London’s Intercollegiate Halls or Kings Residences. Instead, we advise those looking for this type of accommodation to contact Goodenough College.
Students under eighteen years of age on the date of moving in can only be accommodated in University of London’s College Hall.
Financial Challenges
We have a number of different rooms in both catered and non-catered halls to meet different budgets. Depending on the overall number of applications received and room preferences selected we may be able to allocate some of our lower price rooms in Duchy House to support new undergraduate students that may be facing particular financial challenges.
When you apply, please note that you would like a specific price band or type of room for financial reasons in the section headed “If you would like to provide additional information”. Whilst we will do our best to allocate you your preferred room type, due to the total number of each room type available we cannot guarantee being able to offer you your preferred room type.
If you are an incoming undergraduate student and are allocated a higher priced room, and need financial support, then please contact us at ugadmissions@courtuald.ac.uk to discuss how we may be able to support you. Once you are enrolled and if you are in financial hardship you may be eligible for support from our Hardship Fund.
Lifestyle Preferences
Unfortunately, the residences available to Courtauld students are unable to provide solely single-sex or alcohol-free accommodation.
However, all residences strive to provide supportive and inclusive accommodation. If you have any concerns regarding shared bathroom facilities, please get in touch, and all halls will do their best to provide a suitable and comfortable arrangement for you.
Duchy House: HallApplications2627@courtauld.ac.uk
King’s College London: kingsresidences@kcl.ac.uk
University of London: info.halls@courtauld.ac.uk
Waiting List
With our best endeavours, we aim to offer all first-year undergraduates a room in Duchy House or a University of London Hall.
For all other applicants, we frequently receive more applicants than we can accommodate. Therefore, we must consider various factors when allocating rooms, including disclosed disability/health/wellbeing issues, international status, the distance of the family home from London, and prior study in the UK.
If you are placed on our waiting list, you will be informed and contacted by our Accommodation Team should a vacant room arise in any of allocated Halls after mid-June 2026.
Wellbeing Requirements
If you have a physical disability or special requirement due to health/wellbeing that we should take account of in reviewing your application for accommodation, please provide brief details in your application under the section headed “If you would like to provide additional information”.
You may follow up with further detailed information by emailing us at HallApplications2627@courtauld.ac.uk with either a cover letter or description of your disability/health/welling once you have submitted your accommodation application. Please mark the e-mail header “Confidential”.
Upon receipt of your details, we may request further information, including a medical certificate or other relevant documentation.
While we aim to accommodate all students disclosing a disability/health/wellbeing matter at the time of their application and priorities suitable rooms, not all residences will be suitable for every applicant.
