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. 

      Benefits of the International Accommodation Award

      • FREE accommodation during eligible years of study.
      • All University accommodation includes utility bills, Wi-Fi, and free Platinum Sports Centre membership. 
      • Additional accommodation support for foundation pathways.
      • Reduced living costs in the UK.
      • Access to safe, supportive on-campus accommodation.
      • Depending on accommodation type and study pathway, the total value of this support may be comparable to a scholarship worth £6,000–£9,000. 

      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.

      Who is Eligible?

      • You must be classified as a new student paying international tuition fees. 
      • You must be admitted to an eligible programme of study at Aberystwyth University. 
      • You must have applied for a relevant course by the 1st of August.  
      • You must meet standard academic entry requirements for your chosen programme of study.  
      • Open to new international fee-paying students across all study levels, including Foundation, Bachelors, Master’s, and PhD programmes.
      • Please note:
        • BSc Nursing students are not eligible
        • Students paying home tuition fees are not eligible
        • Students travelling with dependants will need to arrange private accommodation independently and are not eligible for any discounts
      • Some postgraduate students may need to meet additional eligibility conditions.

      How to Apply

      Securing your accommodation

      1. Accept your offer to study at Aberystwyth University
      2. Pay your tuition fee deposit if required
      3. Register for the Accommodation Portal
      4. Apply for accommodation as early as possible

      Accommodation is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

      Applications normally open:

      • April for September entry
      • November for January entry

      Application deadlines:

      • 1 September for September-entry students
      • 1 January for January-entry students

      Applying early gives students the best opportunity to secure their preferred accommodation option.

      Important Information

      Before you apply

      • Accommodation is subject to availability.
      • Students must reapply for accommodation each academic year.
      • Returning students are not guaranteed the same room or building.
      • Undergraduate accommodation contracts are normally 39–40 weeks.
      • Postgraduate accommodation contracts are normally 50 weeks.
      • Summer accommodation is not included within the award for undergraduate students.
      • Students moving to alternative accommodation may become liable for standard accommodation charges.

      Full Terms & Conditions

       

      1. The International Accommodation Award is only available for the first academic year (or first 1.5 years) of study on that particular degree programme. Students studying for a degree which lasts longer, or students who are returning to re-sit their study or examinations will be required to pay the standard rate if they wish to remain in university housing. 
      2. BSc Nursing students are not eligible to receive the International Accommodation Award. 
      3. Students must be admitted to an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate course at Aberystwyth University. 
      4. Students must meet standard academic entry requirements for their chosen programme of study. 
      5. Students must have applied for a relevant course by the specified deadline. 
      6. The International Accommodation Award can be combined with one of the following: Global Citizens Scholarship, AberGrad International Award, Caru Aber International Award, or International Family Award. 
      7. Eligibility applies to standard years of study as outlined by the specific award terms. 
      8. The award is specific to university accommodation costs and cannot be exchanged for cash or used to cover tuition fees, living expenses, or other miscellaneous items. 
      9. You must be classed as an international fee-payer to be eligible for the International Accommodation Award 
      10. Whilst we will make every effort to accommodate all international students, room allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis and rooms on campus are not guaranteed. 
      11. Bachelors students will be able to live in their allocated room for 39 or 40 weeks per year. If staying in Aberystwyth between academic years, alternative accommodation on campus, or in private accommodation elsewhere, is necessary over the summer months between June and September when the next term begins.  
      12. Masters students will be able to live in their allocated room for 50 weeks. If they wish to stay in Aberystwyth for longer, they must find alternative accommodation on campus or in private accommodation elsewhere.  
      13. Eligible PhD students will be able to live in their allocated room for 50 weeks.
      14. In order to choose and secure a room through the Accommodation Portal, students must have accepted their offer of study, and paid their tuition fee deposit if asked to do so. Students must familiarise themselves with the University’s deposit policy before making a payment. This deposit makes up part of the tuition fees.  
      15. There is no housing on campus for students with dependants (family members). All rooms on campus are single occupancy only. Therefore, students planning to travel with dependants will need to find private accommodation in Aberystwyth town and will not be eligible for the International Accommodation Award. Find out more about private accommodation available.  
      16. PhD students will only be eligible for the International Accommodation Award if they meet all the conditions below:  
        • The student is self-funding at least 50% of their tuition fees i.e. they are not in receipt of another scholarship covering more than 50% of their tuition fees. 
        • The student will be paying for their own living costs i.e. they are not receiving any stipend for their living expenses. 
        • The student is not bringing any family or dependants with them. 
      17. If a postgraduate PhD student meets all the conditions above, they must email international@aber.ac.uk with their name, applicant ID number, and confirmation that they meet the conditions above. The international team will check that the student is eligible and, if so, will give them access to the International Accommodation Award.   
      18. Students whose degree programmes last more than one year must reapply for accommodation on an annual basis, and a first-come, first-served policy will apply. Returning international students may apply for University accommodation; however, the International Accommodation Award is available only in the first year of study. For any subsequent years, students will be required to pay the standard rate for accommodation, and there is no guarantee that they will remain in the same room, building, or secure University accommodation. 
      19. No discounts can be provided for accommodation that is not managed by the University.  
      20. All normal regulations concerning accommodation contracts and application deadlines apply.  
      21. Students on exchange programmes who do not pay tuition fees do not have access to the International Accommodation Award (discounted or inclusive accommodation), but can access on-campus accommodation in the same way as home tuition fee paying students.  
      22. Students who choose to take up the International Accommodation Award but then decide to move into private accommodation elsewhere must notify the accommodation office and return their key. At this point they will no longer have access to the International Accommodation Award.  
      23. Students who initially move into Cwrt Mawr for their first year but later decide to move to a different university-managed building, will be required to pay full price for the new accommodation, calculated on a pro-rata basis (at a nightly rate, minus any time lived in Cwrt Mawr).   
      24. Moving accommodation is subject to availability and requires you to complete a Transfer Request.  
      25. Students initially eligible for the International Accommodation Award whose status subsequently changes and are no longer paying international tuition fees will have the International Accommodation Award withdrawn and will be liable for the full accommodation fees for the contracted period. 
      26. Please note that Cwrt Mawr is mainly open to international students. Students who choose this accommodation building, will likely be living with other international students from a mixture of countries all over the globe.   
        • The University reserves the right to vary all or any award offerings, discounts, and regulations at its sole discretion. 

           

        *Students must meet the terms and conditions to be eligible for the offer.