Choosing the right accommodation

Self-catered

Self-catered Halls have shared kitchens where you can make your own meals. Kitchens have two fridge freezers, a kettle, a toaster, a microwave, an oven and a hob. If you're in self-catered accommodation, you can still eat at any dining hall on campus and enjoy a 20% discount if you pay using your Student ID card. 

Catered

Your rent includes one meal per day, plus a weekly catering allowance of £25, which will be added to your Student ID card. This allowance can be used at various cafés and dining halls around campus. It resets every week, cannot be carried over or used at the SU shop or for alcohol.

Our dining halls cater to most dietary requirements (e.g. vegan and halal). If you need assistance finding an option that suits you on the menu, just speak to a member of staff at the food counter and we will be able to assist you.

Sample menus:

Sample lunch menu (12-2pm)

Sample dinner menu (5-7.30pm)

All catered Halls have pantries, which can be used to make drinks and snacks and have a microwave, kettle, toaster and larder fridge.

Undergraduate accommodation is available as 30 or 38 week lets. All contracts start on the same date, but if you choose a room on a 30 week let, you'll need to vacate your room over the Christmas and Easter holidays, and you'll move back into the same room when you return. 

If you choose a room on a 38-week let, you can leave your belongings in your room over the Christmas and Easter holidays. 

All Postgraduate accommodation is offered on a 50-week let. 

En suite rooms

We have a number of Halls with en suite facilities, so you’ll have your own toilet, washbasin and shower in your room. En suite is available at:

• Reid
• Runnymede
• Gowar
• Wedderburn
• Williamson
• Tuke
• Butler
• Highfield Court.

Shared bathroom

In these halls you'll share a bathroom with one or more of your fellow students in your flat/house or corridor.

• George Eliot (one bathroom per floor, each floor has two bedrooms)
• Founder's
• Penrose Court 

You have the option to specify one additional living preference in your accommodation application, if you want to. If you do choose an additional living preference, we'll aim to place you in a flat or house with other students who've made the same preference. 

For the 2025/26 academic year, the following additional living preferences are available:

Single gender accommodation

If you'd prefer to live with students of the same gender, you can indicate a preference to live in single gender accommodation. 

Single gender accommodation only applies to the other students living in your flat or house. You, and your housemates, are permitted to have students of a different gender stay in the accommodation and in addition, staff or contractors from the University, who are of a different gender, may enter the accommodation if required. 

Quieter accommodation

If you'd prefer a quieter living environment, you can indicate a preference to live in a quieter flat or house. 

Students living within designated quieter accommodation will maintain a quieter living environment at all times, keeping excess noise to a minimum in their room and communal areas. Any guests are also expected to comply with this guidance. Quieter accommodation only applies to the flat or house that is designated and does not include the surrounding flats or external spaces. 

Alcohol-free accommodation

If you'd prefer to live in an alcohol-free environment, you can indicate this preference in your application.

Students living in alcohol-free accommodation are expected to not store or consume alcohol in their room or communal areas. Any guests are also expected to comply with this guidance.

Show Flats

Throughout the year, the University hosts Open Days and Offer Holder Events, where we showcase our accommodation to prospective students. By opting to live in a show flat, your flat and room will be included in these tours, shown to groups of visitors on pre-arranged dates and times, typically from October to the end of April. Event dates will be communicated to you at a later date. Additionally, there may be ad-hoc visits arranged throughout the year.

As a Show Flat resident, you will receive a £150 rent reduction against your Term 2 accommodation fees. Additionally, your flats communal areas will be cleaned prior to each Open Day and Offer Holder Event.

Disclaimer: Please note, we cannot guarantee that you will be allocated to a room that meets your additional living preference. Due to building constraints, demand and availability, we may not be able to offer additional living preferences at every Hall.

Applying for accommodation

When applying for accommodation as an Undergraduate or an International Postgraduate Taught student, you’ll be given an option to self-select accommodation that meets your disability requirements, e.g., self-catered, ensuite, quieter accommodation. Students with a disability (long term health condition, mental health condition, or neurodiversity) are encouraged to register with the Royal Holloway Disability and Neurodiversity team to access support during their studies.

Adapted and accessible rooms

Adapted and accessible accommodation is not available through the self-selection process.  If you have a sensory impairment, physical and/or mobility impairment for which you require either an adapted room, accessible room or have other specific accommodation requirements which are not covered above, please submit your accommodation application and register with the Royal Holloway Disability and Neurodiversity team, so that a suitable room can be offered to you. 

We have a number of rooms that have been adapted to meet medical needs. All of our adapted rooms are located on the ground floor with step-free access. For specific information, please see our adapted accommodation webpage.