Application Stage
What accommodation is there at the University of Lincoln?
Across 6-purpose built residences, we offer a variety of en-suite, studio and shared bathroom rooms in cluster apartments. All University-managed accommodation is single occupancy and rooms are fitted with furniture including a bed, desk, wardrobe and shelving. Beds at Lincoln Courts are single, and all other residences are a small double (three-quarter).
Lincoln Courts offers shared bathrooms or en-suite wet rooms and all our other accommodation comes with an en-suite as standard.
When can I apply for accommodation?
Applications open in November 2022 for 2023/24 bookings.
You can apply for University-managed accommodation once you have firmed your place at Lincoln, or made the University your insurance choice. Within a few working days of doing so, you will receive an email from Accommodation Services with a link to the Student Portal. Here, you can apply for your top residences in preference order.
I live close to Lincoln, can I still apply?
Yes. You can apply for accommodation no matter the distance of your home address – you can live with us throughout all years of study.
When will I find out what room I have been allocated?
Room allocations will be sent out in a phased approach around Results Day. Offers may be sent out by residence or block, so please do not worry if you hear that someone has been sent their room information before you.
Stay up to date by following the University of Lincoln and Accommodation Services on social media.
@uniLincoln
@uniLincolnaccommodation
It won’t let me log into the Booking Portal
You will need your student ID number to log into the Booking Portal. It may not be working for a number of reasons such as needing to clear the search engine cache or your application still being processed by the Admissions Team. If you need further help get in touch with the Accommodation team.
I need additional support, what should I do?
Student Support and Accommodation Services work closely to allocate students with special needs a room which is best suited for them.
This will be picked up by the two teams as part of your application. However, if you did have any questions or wished to view any of our accessible accommodation please contact Accommodation Services through the online form: lncn.ac/queryform, or email studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk.
Can I view the accommodation?
Yes, you can. We have 3 show flat apartments which can be viewed as part of the on-campus events such as an Offer Holder Day, Informal Visit Day, or Open Day. If you would like to view an accommodation which is not part of the tours, you can do so by visiting the University of Lincoln website where you will find a 360-degree tour of the residences and rooms.
Arrival
What is the online induction?
The online induction includes Health & Safety, registering for your content insurance and booking your arrival slot. It will be uploaded to the Student Portal and must be completed before you arrive.
When will I receive my arrival instructions?
Arrival instructions will be uploaded to the Student Portal in late August/early September. You will receive an email letting you know that these have been uploaded, as part of the online induction.
The arrival process, for students in all years of study, will take place across set days and you will be asked to book an available arrival slot in advance. There will be different days for each site, with more days for larger accommodations such as St Marks and Lincoln Courts.
Please read the instructions carefully as you may be asked to head to a holding area or to a car park which has a different postcode to your accommodation.
Is there parking available?
Your booked arrival slot will secure you a car parking space to offload your belongings and move into your room.
If you wish to park for longer, the team will direct you to the nearest car park.
Residents
How do I report if something is broken?
We are sorry to hear that something is not working correctly. You can report this by emailing residences@lincoln.ac.uk, popping down to reception, or online on Planon.
If you have an out-of-hours emergency repair, please call Security on 01522 886062.
Where should I send my post to?
All post should be sent to your accommodation reception. Letters and small parcels will be put into your apartment post box. Larger parcels will be stored behind the reception desk.
You can collect your parcels during reception opening hours and will need to bring a form of identification to do so.
If you cannot pick your parcel up and would like a friend to, please email the Accommodation Team confirming this and the name of the person who will be picking up your parcel.
When are the receptions open?
Our 5 receptions are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
St Marks, Cygnet Wharf and Valentine Court are also open on a Saturday 9am – 5pm.
All receptions are closed on bank holidays.
Can I book again for next year?
Yes. You can stay with us throughout all years of study, and we would love to have you stay again.
What is the Loyalty Saver Discount?
As a returning student, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 20% off the annual fee on your University of Lincoln-managed student accommodation (available on rooms at St Marks, 179 High Street, Valentine Court, Viking House, and Lincoln Courts).
These discounts offer qualifying students up to 20% discount off the University of Lincoln managed student accommodation published tariffs, depending on how long you have stayed with us.
- Students applying for their second year of accommodation will be offered a 10% discount off the weekly fee.
- Students applying for their third stay at an accommodation with us will be offered a 15% discount off the weekly fee.
- Students applying for their fourth and any further stays of accommodation with us will be offered a 20% discount off the weekly fee.
More information can be found online.
I am not happy in my room, what should I do?
If you are not happy in your current room, the best thing to do is pop down to reception and speak to the team. They will help you with any questions or concerns and can talk you through the process of requesting to change rooms or, to be released from the contract.
Our Residence Life Assistances are available every day from 6pm to 12am if you would like someone to talk to for advice.
Do I need to move out of my room in-between terms?
No, your room is yours for the entire duration of the contract. You will not need to move out at any point throughout the year.
Throughout the year Accommodation Services may need to access my flat… why is this?
The operations team may need to access your apartment throughout the year for a range of reasons, including inspections, maintenance, repairs or wellbeing checks.
For pre-planned activity, you will always be given a minimum of 7 days’ notice and if access is needed to your room, the team will knock before entering.
Some larger apartments have communal cleaners who will access the kitchen/living space on set days. You can find out more by emailing residences@lincoln.ac.uk.
How do I contact Accommodation Services?
You can contact the team through any of the below methods Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm:
T: 01522 886300
E: lncn.ac/queryform
W: accommodation.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/
Or by visiting the team in one of our 5 receptions:
- St Marks (Monday to Saturday 9am – 5:30pm, 5pm on a Saturday)
- Valentine Court (Monday to Saturday 9am – 5:30pm, 5pm on a Saturday)
- Cygnet Wharf (Monday to Saturday 9am – 5:30pm, 5pm on a Saturday)
- Viking House Monday to Friday 9am – 5:30pm)
- 179 High Street (Monday to Friday 9am – 5:30pm)
The Gateway
Why are you moving students out of The Gateway?
The Gateway is leased by the University of Lincoln but owned by a private landlord. A new independent fire safety assessment commissioned by the University has made a number of recommendations to improve fire safety at The Gateway, notably the need to make improvements to fire stopping and stairwells to enhance internal fire compartmentation. The work would create substantial disruption to tenants if carried out while the building is occupied.
The University’s highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students and, while other mitigation measures can manage fire safety risks in the interim, having consulted with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, we have concluded it is in the best interests of our students to vacate the building while we liaise with the building owner to make the necessary improvements.
What is the issue at The Gateway?
A new independent fire safety assessment commissioned by the University has made a number of recommendations to improve fire safety at The Gateway, notably the need to make improvements to fire stopping and stairwells to enhance internal fire compartmentation. The work would create substantial disruption to tenants if carried out while the building is occupied.
When did the University know of the issues?
The University regularly reviews fire safety measures and evacuation procedures in all our academic and residential buildings to ensure they are of the highest standard. As a matter of course we routinely test fire alarms, conduct evacuation drills and provide fire safety guidance, with a fire marshal system in place across the University. We also liaise with landlords where buildings are leased by the University, as is the case with The Gateway.
We asked an independent fire safety engineer to review safety measures within The Gateway. The report was received on Monday 10 October and the University took immediate action on the recommendations, including adding additional fire safety inspections and marshals. This is not a long-term solution, and in the interests of student safety and wellbeing, and also to minimise further disruption to students as much as possible, the University is relocating students to enable remedial works to be carried out by the landlord.
How long will the work take – and will students be able to move back in afterwards?
The remedial works will take several months and have not yet been scheduled by the landlord. We do not anticipate the Gateway will be ready for tenants to occupy again this academic year once the works begin.
Where are the students going to live?
The University has identified a range of alternative student accommodation from within its portfolio and with third party student accommodation providers in the City. The specific needs of students will be taken into account to ensure new accommodation is appropriate for their needs.
How are you supporting students affected?
The University’s Accommodation team will be able to provide support and advice on options available and the practicalities of moving. The University’s Student Support and Advice Team can also offer specialist support, advice and guidance. The University’s Accommodation Services team will be in contact with all Gateway tenants to advise students of their options and next steps. Students can book a one-to-one appointment to speak to an advisor in an Enquiries Centre at the tepee (next to the Library) from Monday 17 October. The University will arrange removals at no cost to students when they move to their new residence with help available for packing and unpacking.
Will the University be making a disruption payment to students?
Students who wish to be released from their tenancy agreements with the University can request to do so and will pay rent only or the period up to the date they serve notice.
If there is any difference in cost between The Gateway and the new accommodation provided by the University, tenants will be pay the lower amount. The University will also be giving all Gateway tenants a one-off disruption payment of £500. This will be paid by BACS transfer to the bank account nominated by the student tenant (not automatically to the account used for rental instalments). The Accommodation team will be in contact with Gateway residents to confirm this. In the case of dual occupancy studios, the payment will be paid per studio to the main tenant.
Students may have made friends within accommodation – will they now be separated?
We appreciate some students will want to relocate with friends they have made in their accommodation. The University Accommodation Services team will help students to consider available options.
What if students are not happy with their alternative accommodation?
If students are not content with their new student accommodation, students can request an alternative is found by contacting the University Accommodation Services team, who will help students to consider other available options. If you are unhappy with the alternative accommodation we are able to offer you, and wish to be released from your tenancy agreement with the University, please contact the Accommodation team as soon as possible.
How many students are affected?
There are around 500 student tenants in The Gateway.
There are still commercial tenants on the ground floor. Why has the whole building not been evacuated?
The fire safety recommendations relate specifically to use of The Gateway as a high-rise residential building, where people cook and sleep. They do not affect use of the ground floor, non-residential space.
Why are students still resident in Gateway while relocation is being organised?
The University and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have agreed additional measures which have been put in place whilst arrangements are made to relocate student tenants. However, we ask all student tenants to be vigilant about fire safety. In particular, please do not attempt to cover or disable smoke alarms. Do familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures and follow instruction from fire marshals.
When will students need to move out by?
Following discussion with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, residents living on the top two floors (floors 6 and 7) and in Block C will need to vacate by Friday 21 October. All other floors will need to move out by 28 October. Residents will be able to return to the building under supervision to collect possessions after this date if necessary. The University will arrange and pay for removals, including boxes for packing, and there will be help available to pack and unpack at your new accommodation in Lincoln if needed.
Do residents have the option to stay at Gateway?
People will not have the option of residing in The Gateway after 28 October (or 21 October for those on the top two floors and Block C). It will be possible to arrange collection of possessions beyond this date, under supervision.
Can students move out immediately?
If you would like to move out of the building immediately, you can return another time, under supervision to pack your belongings. The University will arrange removals for you.
What if I can’t get to teaching sessions because I need to pack/move?
Students who are unable to attend teaching sessions will be able to obtain an authorised absence.
If I move to alternative accommodation provided by the University, how will my rent be adjusted so I don’t pay more?
Each student’s circumstances will be accounted for in adjusting rent payments (for example, if you are on a February to February contract) with any reduction calculated from the day you move. If you are on a reduced rate rent (e.g. a percentage discount) you will continue to have a reduced rate at the same percentage. October’s scheduled rental instalment will be delayed from 26th October to 15th November.
I live in a dual occupancy apartment and want to stay with my partner – how will that happen?
The University will make every effort so people sharing dual occupancy apartments, including couples, can remain together in alternative accommodation.
What if the accommodation I’m offered isn’t managed by the University?
The University is seeking to agree contracts directly with external providers, so that if the alternative accommodation you are offered by the University is not managed by us, your agreement will remain with the University, but this cannot be guaranteed.