Frequently asked questions
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If you have any difficulties and/or concerns relating to your financial circumstances, accessibility or general wellbeing; please do not hesitate to contact the Residential Life Office on 020 8223 4445 or residentiallife@uel.ac.uk to discuss further.
I can't log in or register on the accommodation portal, what should I do?
If you can't log in or register for the University of East London Accommodation Portal, please take a screenshot of the error message appearing and email this to ResidentialLife@uel.ac.uk.
Am I eligible to make an application?
If you are a new student, you are eligible to live in our Halls of Residence if:
- If you are over 18
- If you have an unconditional firm offer to study at the University of East London
If you are a returning student, you are eligible to live in our Halls of Residence if:
- You are over 18
- You are progressing in your studies at the University of East London
- You do not have rent arrears or previous disciplinary warnings
You can also check out our Eligibility criteria page for full details.
What are the local amenities?
There are various food outlets on site, including University canteens which serve hot food throughout the week. Starbucks, Papa Johns, The Edge and Costa Coffee are situated on campus and open Monday to Friday. 'The Shop' situated in the East building is open every day.
Asda is approximately 10 minutes' walk away and two stops on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Tesco is approximately 20-minute walk or a short bus ride. A small Co-op is a five-minute walk along the dockside from the East Village. There are other outlets, such as restaurants and a pharmacy, situated nearby to both supermarkets.
Stratford's Westfield shopping centre is approximately 20 minutes away by DLR/London Underground. Here you will find most stores and restaurants that Central London has to offer. Including a multiplex cinema and bowling lanes.
Are there any communal spaces on campus for students/residents?
Yes. Residential Life have three common rooms for residents, they are open from 8:15am till 11pm daily, including weekend. Two common rooms are located on the ground floor of Clare House, and the other is located opposite the Residential Life office on the ground floor of Longbridge House.
The University also has The Hub area (where board games can be hired and we have table football), the Students' Union in the North Building, as well as our on-campus bar.
There are also communal outdoor sports facilities, including basketball, table tennis and various exercise equipment.
Can I park a car on campus?
Other than for move in and move out, we’re unable to offer daytime car parking (8am to 5pm) at our Docklands campus. However, we do reserve a limited amount of spaces for Blue Badge holders. If you hold a Blue Badge and require a parking space, please contact ResidentialLife@uel.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)20 8223 4445.
Do I need to register for a GP near campus?
We strongly encourage all new students at the University of East London to register with our healthcare provider Royal Docks Medical Practice who are based less than 5 minutes away from our Docklands campus.
Are there sports facilities on campus?
Yes. Our SportsDock complex is at the Docklands campus. This facility includes a state-of-the-art gym, indoor and outdoor sports pitches, dance and aerobic studios, a martial arts studio and teaching rooms. East London Sport and Residential Life organise inter-halls tournaments throughout the year and there are clubs and societies for numerous sports.
Find out more about the SportsDock.
Can I smoke on campus?
All University buildings are non-smoking, including our Halls of Residence. However, designated smoking areas are located outside the halls.
I have a Stratford-based student, can I still apply to live in halls?
Yes, students across all campuses can apply to live in our halls of residence, with a free shuttle bus to transport you from Docklands to other campuses.
How can I report maintenance issues?
Maintenance issue must be reported via the Halls of Residence maintenance request form which is found on the University intranet.
What deposit is required to secure my room on campus?
£750 will be required once you have received your provisional room offer. This is made up of a £500 advanced rental payment, which is taken off the full cost of your tenancy, and a £250 security deposit that will be refunded once you move out, subject to you not being in rent arrears or any damages found on your move out inspection.
What do I do once I have made my application?
Once you have made your application, your next step is to wait for the Residential Life team to verify your application.
- If you applied before 27 July 2021, once verified, you will receive a provisional room offer, which can be viewed from your dashboard on the UEL Accommodation Portal, between 5-7 August 2021.
- Once you have received your provisional room offer you will have until 19 August 2021 to make your £750 payment via Epay.
- Within seven days of making your payment your room allocation will be confirmed.
If you apply after 27 July your room offer with be sent between 13 – 18 August and payment will be required by 1 September 2021.
If you are currently holding a conditional firm offer, your application will be held until you satisfy your entry requirements. When you satisfy your requirements, your application can be processed.
I am an international student; how do I pay my deposit?
The payment method for international students has not gone live yet. We will update this information once you can pay your deposit.
Can I be allocated to live with friends?
This year we are opening the 'Living with Friends' applications to all students. Once you have submitted your accommodation application you can make a separate living with friend's application. The process, terms and conditions and application form can be found on our living with friends intranet page. (Please note, you will need to be logged in to view this page).
I am an international student; how do I pay my deposit?
The payment method for international students has not gone live yet. We will update this information once you can pay your deposit.
I have received a provisional room offer but it is not my first choice, if I reject it will I receive another room offer?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working to allocate rooms filling hall by hall, this may result in your not being allocated to one of your top three preferences. If you reject your provisional allocation, there is no guarantee you will receive another. The team will work to fit your preferences as best we can in the current circumstances.
Are there any cancellation costs?
If you have not accepted your room offer then there is no cancellation cost. Please see below for more details:
- If your Visa was rejected and you inform us more than seven days of moving in, there is no charge.
- If you inform us more than seven days of the move in date, there will be no charge.
- If you inform us less than seven days of the move in date, you will incur a £50 change of contract fee.
- Once the tenancy has started, you will be charged a £50 change of contract fee and will be liable until the room is filled.
- If you must cancel your room booking at any point due to travel restrictions, VISA cancellations or medical reasons, these will be assessed on a case by case basis. Please contact residentiallife@uel.ac.uk as soon as possible if any of these circumstances relate to you.
How is my rent calculated?
If you have not accepted your room offer then there is no cancellation cost. Please see below for more details:
- If your Visa was rejected and you inform us more than seven days of moving in, there is no charge.
- If you inform us more than seven days of the move in date, there will be no charge.
- If you inform us less than seven days of the move in date, you will incur a £50 change of contract fee.
- Once the tenancy has started, you will be charged a £50 change of contract fee and will be liable until the room is filled.
- If you must cancel your room booking at any point due to travel restrictions, VISA cancellations or medical reasons, these will be assessed on a case by case basis. Please contact residentiallife@uel.ac.uk as soon as possible if any of these circumstances relate to you.
How do I pay my rent?
When setting up your payment plan, you will have the choice to set up a recurring card payment for the rent to be taken automatically on the due date from your nominated bank, or you can log in to UEL Epay to manually make your payment on or before the due date.
What's included in my rent?
All utility bills and up to 100 Mbps WiFi/Ethernet access within your flat.
Can I change my room if I don't like it?
In 2021-22 our room move policy will depend on the current Government Guidance on 'households' and 'bubbles'. This will be communicated with all residents in September and will be updated in line with Government advice as appropriate.
Do I need to get my own contents insurance?
Basic contents insurance (Endsleigh Insurance) is included in your rent. However, there are some high-value items not covered by this insurance for which you will need to purchase an upgrade. You can check your cover on the Endsleigh website.
What do I need to bring?
As a guide, you'll need to bring your own bedding, and items for cooking and dining. Please note that if you're a student attending the University's International Welcome Programme, Residential Life will provide your bedding pack on arrival. Further information will be provided via email and on our intranet closer to your arrival.
Can the aeroplanes be heard on campus?
You can sometimes hear the planes but all dock facing rooms are triple glazed and the airport is only permitted to operate flights between:
- 06.30 and 22.30 hours on weekdays
- 06.30 and 13.00 hours on Saturdays
- 12.30 and 22.30 on Sundays
- 09.00 and 22.30 hours on Public or Bank Holidays
- Full closure on 25 December
- The final 30 minutes of operation is solely for flights scheduled earlier which have been unavoidably delayed.
Can I bring my bicycle?
Yes, we actively encourage you to use green transport methods to get around London.
There are bike stations where you can lock your bike located around the campus. Please note that you'll need to bring your own bicycle lock.