Can university accommodation at Manchester be changed before term starts?

[Catlover3]

My daughter has just been allocated Weston Hall at Manchester University and is so disappointed. Has anyone ever successfully managed to change their accommodation before they started? Thanks

Does she already have her grades in hand then? I didn't think places were allocated until after results day

Yes she has had a year out and done a foundation course

It looks nice to me! What was her first choice?

Ah, Weston Hall. I was a sub-warden there as a post grad, back in the 90s, in the 3rd year it was open. It was the first hall that had all rooms en-suite and so much nicer than the other accommodation located near (what was then called) UMIST.

What doesn't your DD like about it?

She wants to be at Fallowfield and is worried because it seems to be an isolated hall of residence. Lots of reviews about very poor social life there which I appreciate depends on who else is there but you have a better chance if more people. Also very expensive for what you get in comparison to some of the FF accommodation

Ah, yes, I see the point. Fallowfield has quite a different vibe to it. Weston Hall is great for being near town (and great for walking home from nights out), but Fallowfield has an accommodation campus which is massive. In terms of social life, I don't thing WH would be isolating as there are 500+ students there, but also if you walk 5 mins to Oxford Road, there are literally hundreds of buses that go down past the Uni and onto Fallowfield. In the evening it would be about a 15 min bus ride, so definitely not a barrier for socialising with Fallowfield friends.

I was in Whitworth Park (the Toblerones) in my 1st year, which is halfway between WH and Fallowfield!

Do you have any idea how come she ended up being allocated WH? Presumably she requested Fallowfield halls and presumably they can't be full yet as it's before A level results.....

They allocate accommodation randomly and don’t guarantee your choice, only accommodation there. Definitely not full as only those with unconditional offers been allocated so far. She found out yesterday at 4 and has to accept by Tuesday and pay deposit or lose guarantee of accommodation. Can’t contact anyone as of course office shut over the weekend

There is major redevelopment starting at Fallowfield. I believe 3 lots of halls have now been handed over to the construction company so there aren't as many rooms there for the coming academic years.

Oh, that's a bit of a rubbish system. First come first served would be better! Is she going to call them on Monday?

If she does end up in WH, it honestly isn't bad, I think it depends whether she'll have constant FOMO though.

Thanks, not sure they will do anything about it. Just sad as for her as it potentially alters the whole experience for her and costs more. She just wants to be with other freshers and WH is run privately so very mixed who will be in there

If WH is private, and Fallowfield is having building work, it is possible that the university has booked out WH for freshers as replacement for the unavailable Fallowfield buildings, in which case there will probably be lots of freshers there, and it will turn out to have a strong freshers community. I think this happened a couple of years ago at Warwick - some of the campus halls were out of action, but they put a whole load of first years in a private hall not too far away.

we were in the same position two years ago - my daughter was devastated at getting Weston Hall. But ended up loving it. Really convenient for lectures, central
nights out. She will meet her tribe and be ok.

You can call the accommodation office and ask to be put on the waiting list for other halls; however, it's not that likely a place will become available. One of my children was allocated Piccadilly Point - 10k a year for a horrible little room😤- however, they made some great friends and had a lovely time. She will probably make Fallowfield friends and spend a lot of time there as that's where all the cheap nights out are, so get her some Uber credit so she can get home safely.

I don't think it is quite correct to say that they allocate accommodation randomly. Was Weston Hall one of her five choices? My DD has just finished her first year there and says that almost everyone she knew got one of their five choices. She has been advised by a friend in the year above that if she really wanted Fallowfield it was essential to prioritise that by only puting down the five halls in Fallowfield despite some of them being shared bathrooms and catered (which weren't her preference). Others put the three Fallowfield self-catering/en-suite options and two at other campuses and often seemed to have got the other campuses. There is movement in accommodation before term starts because others are unhappy with their allocation for various reasons so definitely worth her putting herself on the wait list for other accommodation and stress that she would take any of the halls in Fallowfield (assuming that is the case). Having said all that, I would echo what other posters have said in that I am sure she will make good friends whever she is staying and it is a great location for nights out etc. Buses to/from Fallowfield are frequent.

Thanks, unfortunately only 4 choices now at FF

I didn’t think any of the current five halls were closing/being renovated this year? My neighbour’s son has firmed Manchester and told us he had followed DD’s approach and listed all five Fallowfield. Anyway, I wish your DD the best and hope the accommodation office are helpful when she phones on Monday.

Sorry OP, you’re quite right. DD tells me that Uttley is “allocation only” and not available to apply to for 2026. Good luck again to your DD - it’s a great uni and DD told me to reassure you that your DD will have a great time wherever she ends up!