Bristol accomodation for insurance offers - recent experiences?

[bristolasinsurance]

DD is applying to Maths at Cambridge and is planning to firm there if she is fortunate enough to get an offer. But the situation with STEP (only 1 in 2 offer holders will actually make their offer, even if they make the A Level part of it) means that having a solid insurance is essential, because there's a high likelihood of needing it.

She loved Bristol and I think would be really happy there. She's also eligible for a contextual offer which would potentially make it a great insurance choice.

But the big worry is accomodation. Obviously if she missed a Cambridge offer she would be disappointed, but I think she'd get over it quickly if she was able to have the full first year experience in halls at Bristol. But if she misses her offer AND then ends up in crap accomodation at Bristol (either privately renting and/or not with other freshers) I think it will really take the shine off what should be an exciting time.

I've heard that most universities prioritise firm and then clearing applicants, with insurance applicants often struggling. But I've just seen this on the Bristol website, which seems to suggest they actually do guarantee accomodation for insurance offers holders.

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/accommodation/apply/guarantee/

I was wondering if anyone has any experiences from this year they could share?

I think Goldney was always popular as it’s close to the university but SB halls are always popular as they provide something different - catered options.

I believe that Bristol recently got into a situation where there were more student rooms than students. I’d just carry on and do it if that’s what she wants to do.

York may appear to prioritize clearing over insurance but they changed their tune this year around May and started putting on Instagram that they'd prioritize insurance places if they applied for accommodation before the July deadline.

Not unlikely to recur this year.

Sorry @Tumblert just seen you posted the same.

York has a big new student village so they have much more accomodation to offer

@WaitingforPoodles How can you apoly for accommodation in July at York if you are holding a firm for (eg) Oxbridge? Dc don’t know it’s needed in July.

You get an offer, you make it your insurance on UCAS, the university contacts you to invite you to apply for accommodation by a deadline and makes you an accommodation offer (that only becomes binding if you end up going to that university). So exactly the same as firm choice accommodation offers made ahead of results day - they only become binding if you end up going to that university.

No they really don't. They have incorporated 2 external accommodation providers, Student Castle and Fusion to help make sure all 1st years get a room.

You don't pay for it, or put a deposit down, you don't even have your room allocated until after August 14th at which point you can withdraw.

@Newlittlerescue Ah. So uni contacts all offer holders who have insured? This is fairer than prioritising clearing students. I didn’t suggest you did pay did it @WaitingforPoodles. I asked how it worked when you didn’t know if you needed it or not.

(duplicate post)

I wonder if the PP is referring to the new East campus which includes quite a lot of accommodation.

That's interesting! Looking at their accommodation guarantee for last year I can see it includes people choosing York as their insurance choices, whereas the year before was only for firms.

How does what "work"? I think given the lack of specificity in your question, I did a fair job of answering what you might well have meant. Very sorry if that has rubbed you the wrong way somehow.