New year, new Student Accommodation Office

Now independent of the Student Hub, the Student Accommodation Office operates as a singular, distinct entity.

Imperial has launched the Student Accommodation Office as a singular support service for halls of residence and private housing for students. The team – previously housed within the Student Hub – will now operate as a more visible, distinct entity.   

The Student Hub, having transitioned to Registry, will remain as a home to other key student services. 

Following on from the College being awarded the Sunday Times University of the Year 2022, the Student Accommodation team aims to provide a more accessible, simplified service for students' housing needs, ranging from the College’s nearly 3000 spaces in halls of residence to support for finding a home in the private sector. 

“Finding somewhere comfortable and enjoyable to live whilst at university is fundamental to the student experience. Halls of residence, in particular, are often our most formative memories of our time at university. We hope that the Student Accommodation Office will provide students with the highest quality support in finding a happy place to call home," Campus Services Director, Jane Neary, shares.  

Social Media  

The move will also see a refreshed social media presence for the new Student Accommodation Office.   

With a more student-led approach across its Instagram and Twitter  channels, the team will reflect and highlight the student experience in halls and living in London.   

“We hope that more student-generated content will allow for a true insight into the community that exists in our halls of residence and beyond” said Sue Mannion, Student Accommodation Office manager.  

Accommodation and COVID-19  

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant change to halls of residence. Laundry services, meal deliveries and live-stream exercise classes, among other amenities, were established to support students in their halls and their private accommodation. Comments and praise around the college’s collective efforts to deliver a pleasant experience to students managing positive COVID-19 cases while studying have highlighted the college’s devotion to its students and their learning. 

Private Housing  

The team’s extensive support for students’ transition to private housing will continue. Rent guarantor schemes and contract checking are among the services available to students journeying into the private housing sector. Their property search site, Imperial Home Solutions, showcases a wide range of student homes from landlords across London. Students can customise their search, build personalised alerts, and gain access to their message board.      

“Teamwork, strong social relationships and independence are a few of the character traits that students glean from their time in halls,” reports Sue, manager at the Student Accommodation Office. “International students are exposed to different environments, people and cultures, enriching their academic endeavours and guiding their self-discovery as they approach adulthood,” she added.  

Students with unique requirements or disabilities, will be supported by Imperial’s adapted accommodation, catering to their specific needs.   

For housing updates and events, join their Twitter and Instagram both: @ImperialAccomm