How late is too late to book student accommodation?

If you’re reading this while frantically googling "student accommodation available RIGHT NOW", take a deep breath and don’t panic. Booking late isn’t ideal, but it’s definitely not the end of the world. You still have options.

So, how late is too late to book student accommodation? And what can you do if you've left it to the last minute? Let’s break it down and get you back on track.

You should’ve booked ages ago

We’re not here to rub it in, but there's a reason everyone keeps harping on about booking early. There’s huge demand for student accommodation in cities like London and Leeds, so booking early can save you a ton of stress. Now you know for next time, here’s why the early birds who sorted their uni accommodation back in January are probably feeling pretty smug right now.

You get the best options. Want that Studio with the massive windows? Or the cosy En Suite right next to all your mates? Probably the biggest perk of booking early is getting first dibs on all the best rooms and locations in the city. 

It's way cheaper. Booking student accommodation is like booking festival or flight tickets. The closer you get to the date, the more you're going to pay. By booking early, you can dodge the peak season price surge and get the best rates. You can also make the most of early bird and rebooker discounts, which run for a limited time only.

No last-minute panic. Worrying about where to live is so last year. Having your university accommodation sorted early means you can focus on the fun stuff, like styling your student room, and deciding what to wear for Fresher's week.

You can change your mind. Most places, including Scape, let you cancel for free up until a certain date. So, if you don't get the grades you need, or you suddenly decide you want to study somewhere else, you're not stuck. And that’s always nice to know.

The downside to leaving it late. Spoiler alert: it sucks

When it comes to booking uni accommodation, timing is everything. Leaving it late is a lot like trying to buy concert tickets the night of the gig. Not impossible, but you're probably not going to get the best seats. Unless of course you’re looking at a place like Scape. Voted Student Accommodation of the Year 2025 (for the second year in a row!) and awarded for Outstanding Residential Design, there are literally no bad rooms – just great ones that go fast!

Everything good is gone. The top accommodation providers book up quickly as everyone can see they’re a no-brainer. By the time you're looking in August, the best rooms and locations close to campus are probably long gone. That’s not to say you won’t still get lucky, so keep looking.

Prices are higher. The room that was £250 a week in February is probably £325 now, if it’s even still available. The way dynamic pricing works means late bookers often pay higher rates for whatever's left. You live and you learn!

It’s seriously stressful. Deciding where to live at uni is supposed to be fun. On the flip, leaving it late is a complete buzzkill. It means spending the last few weeks of summer desperately looking for a place to stay instead of soaking it all up. Or worse, settling for something that’s far from what you actually wanted.

You'll have to compromise. Had your sights set on private student accommodation? You might have to settle for uni halls or private rentals where late-night parties, noisy flatmates and minimal amenities can make it tough to enjoy any privacy or keep your space tidy space. Wanted to be walking distance to campus? Hope you like long walks. Sometimes late bookers have to take what they can get.

Read more: Private or uni halls, which one is better?

The best time to book student accommodation

So, when is actually the best time to book student accommodation in the UK? Timing it right with the key booking windows can make a huge difference.

The Sweet Spot: December to March. This is when you should be booking, no doubt about it. Most room types are available, prices are the lowest they’ll be (fact), and you can actually take your time to choose.

Availability: Excellent

Price: Lowest rates, often discounts

Stress level: Minimal

Best for: First year uni applicants and rebookers

Peak Season Pressure: April to July. Here’s where it starts to get serious. By now, most of the top accommodation options are already close to full, but a few good spots can still be found. You just have to move fast. If you see something you like, book it immediately. The time for hesitation is over, if you wait any longer you will miss out. Rooms are getting filled up every day and rates are only going to go up.

Availability: Good

Price: Moderate, but increasing

Stress level: Some pressure

Best for: Confirmed students and rebookers

Panic Mode: August to September. This is officially "what have I done" territory. Most students have already sorted their accommodation, and what's left is either pricey or not exactly prime real estate. That’s not to say you won’t still find something, you just need to be ready to compromise and make quick decisions.

Availability: Extremely limited

Price: Highest rates

Stress level: Through the roof

Best for: Last minute placements

What to do if you left it too late?

If you’re starting university soon and you’re worried you still don’t have a student room to stay, it’s not hopeless. Here's what you can do right now to try find a place.

Find out your options. Choices will be limited, but you need to make a start and move fast. Private student accommodation is usually the preferred choice, and popular providers like Scape might be fully booked. But it’s definitely still worth a look if you can get lucky. See available rooms here. You can also explore flat shares or short-term lets while you look for something more permanent. Or reach out to your university accommodation office to see if they can help with housing.

Get yourself on waiting lists. This is your best bet for the big-name accommodation spots. Loads of students change plans last minute, and when they cancel, those rooms go to the next in line. Nothing’s guaranteed, but it’s worth a shot.

Keep an open mind. Maybe you wanted a studio room with city views. We want that for you too, but right now it’s about finding somewhere to live, not searching for the one. Be flexible on stuff like room type, location, or contract length to up your odds of actually getting a place. Even if it’s not your first choice, you might be pleasantly surprised. You just need to take the plunge.

Check out private rentals. It’s not for everyone, but worth looking into as a backup. You’ll have to research neighbourhood safety and cost of utilities to stay within budget. And you won’t get the same community vibe or support as private student accommodation, but it’s an option if you’re stuck. Just make sure you go see the place in person as photos can be deceiving and you don’t have student reviews you can turn to for reassurance.

Slide into some DMs. Get in touch with accommodation providers directly and ask what’s left. Worst case, they say nothing. Best case, you find a hidden gem. A quick email, call, or message on live chat can make all the difference when it comes to finding a student room.

How likely are you to get a room, honestly?

The likelihood of you finding student accommodation depends on a bunch of factors: your timing, flexibility, and the specific provider you're interested in. Scape was voted Student Accommodation of the Year in 2025, 2024, 2021 and 2019 so it’s no surprise that rooms get booked up really quickly. The best way to guarantee your spot is by booking early.

If it’s your first year, the best time to book your room is when you’re applying for uni. If you don’t meet your grade requirements (or you exceed them and decide to study elsewhere), you can usually cancel your booking free of charge.

If you’re already at university, we suggest locking down your room as early as possible. Our current residents are given a chance to book a room before it’s open to anyone else, so booking ASAP means you won’t miss out. 

The bottom line

The later you leave it, the fewer options you’ll have. Save yourself the stress and book your student accommodation between December and March when everything’s still available and prices haven’t started skyrocketing.