International Accommodation Award

Students sitting on the grass in front of Cwrt Mawr, enjoying the sunshine.

Free Accommodation and Affordable Living for International Students

At Aberystwyth University, we are proud to offer one of the UK’s most generous accommodation packages for international students.

Eligible students can receive free or discounted University accommodation (comparable to a £6,000 Scholarship or more), helping to significantly reduce the overall cost of studying in the UK.

Our International Accommodation Award is designed to help international students settle comfortably into university life while making UK study more affordable. The award is available across all study levels, including Foundation, Bachelors, Master’s and PhD study.

Students studying a programme with a foundation year or progressing from our International Foundation Programme into an Aberystwyth undergraduate degree, will receive additional accommodation support in their second year of study.

The Award is not restricted to one programme only, so if graduating students decide to return to study for another degree at Aberystwyth University, they will be eligible for the International Accommodation Award again if it is still available.

The accommodation award is usually provided in Cwrt Mawr, or an alternative University-managed residence if necessary. However, the University offers a wide range of accommodation options across campus, allowing students to choose the environment and room type that best suits their lifestyle and budget.

Whilst we can normally accommodate everyone, there is no guarantee of a place in Cwrt Mawr and rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage students to apply early to secure a place.

What Accommodation Support is Available?

Study Level / Pathway	Program Duration	Accommodation Support Offered
Undergraduate Bachelor’s Students	Standard 3 Years	FREE accommodation during your first year of study (39 weeks)
Undergraduate Transfer or Top-Up Programmes	1 or 2 Years	FREE accommodation during your first year of study (39 weeks)
Undergraduate Degrees with Integrated Foundation	4 Years	FREE accommodation during your foundation year and half price (50%) for the following year
International Foundation Programme (IFP)	1 Year	FREE accommodation during your foundation programme (39 weeks) and 50% discounted accommodation during your first undergraduate degree year (upon progressing to an undergraduate degree)
Master’s Students	1 Year (September or January Start)	FREE accommodation during your full year of study (50 weeks)
PhD Students	Multi-year	FREE accommodation during your first year of study, subject to additional eligibility requirements (50 weeks)
Pre-sessional English Courses	6 or 12 Weeks (Summer)	FREE accommodation during your pre-sessional course duration

Accommodation Options at Aberystwyth

A range of accommodation choices

Aberystwyth University offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different lifestyles, preferences, and budgets.

Students receiving the International Accommodation Award will normally be allocated accommodation in:

Cwrt Mawr, or
a similar University-managed accommodation residence where required.

Cwrt Mawr is especially popular with international students and offers a friendly, global student community.

Students can also explore a wider range of University accommodation options, including different room types, locations, and facilities across campus.

Please note: International students opting for accommodation options outside of Cwrt Mawr or a similar University-managed accommodation residence that has been allocated to them will be required to pay the accommodation fees.

All on-campus accommodation includes:

Utility bills
Wi-Fi
Free Platinum Sports Centre membership
Single occupancy rooms

Our accommodation options help international students enjoy affordable living costs while studying in the UK.

Useful Links:

Guaranteed accommodation

Overseas fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students, are guaranteed a place in University owned or managed accommodation, for the duration of their taught studies at Aberystwyth University, provided you apply by the appropriate deadline date in the year of entry:

Undergraduate students: 01 September
Postgraduate students: 01 September

To qualify for guaranteed University accommodation you must also respond to your offer of accommodation by the deadline date detailed in the Accommodation Offer.

A place in University owned or managed accommodation is guaranteed, but not a specific type of room or location.

Why live with us?

Living in University accommodation is the beginning of something very exciting, giving you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends for life in a supportive, fun and vibrant community!

There is no need to worry about fluctuating bills as the accommodation fees include utilities (e.g. water, heating, electricity), internet connection & Wi-Fi, a high level of personal contents insurance and free Sport Centre platinum membership! Additional benefits can be found on our Why live with us webpage.

Accommodation options

We offer a variety of accommodation options, with the majority of our residences only being a short walk away from campus.

We offer a range of self-catered residences with either en-suite rooms, flats with shared facilities, or our self-contained studios. Offering a variety of styles, budgets and locations to find the space that works for you.

When and how to apply for accommodation

Once you have selected Aberystwyth University as your Firm choice, from mid-March onwards, the Accommodation Office will contact you by e-mail and post inviting you to apply for accommodation.

Our How to Apply webpage provides a handy step-by-step guide on making an online application for University accommodation.

Meet and greet service

Aberystwyth University, on designated days in September and January, can offer international students a free coach transfer service from Birmingham Airport to your university-managed accommodation in Aberystwyth.

Further details about this service and other useful information can be found on the International Arrival page.

Alternative accommodation

If living in University accommodation is not for you, then alternatively you may prefer to live in Private Sector Accommodation.

Aber Students’ Union Advice Service provides information, advice and support on all aspects of housing in University accommodation and the private sector.