Arcadia guarantees housing on all programs, provided that you meet all the necessary deadlines related to housing applications. Our priority is to provide a safe, clean, cost-effective, and convenient place for you to live while offering you every opportunity to explore the local culture and community. The information provided on this page is general; you should review the specific housing information for your chosen program and speak to your Program Advisor if you need more information.
Commonly Used Terms
- single = you will have your own bedroom
- twin = you will have a shared room with one other student
- en-suite = you will have your own bathroom in your bedroom
- self-catered = you will not have a meal plan
General Information
- Room Style: Most student residences in England and Wales feature apartment-style living with single or twin bedrooms and shared kitchens, living and bathroom facilities.
- Meal Plans: Most programs only have self-catered housing, which means they do not offer meal plans. You will be responsible for purchasing your own groceries and preparing your own meals.. Read our Estimate of Additional Expenses for each semester, under More Info for a guide on what you will need to budget for food and other costs.
- Roommates: If you are in Arcadia-managed housing and want to submit a roommate request, we will need one from both you and your requested roommate in writing. While we will do our best to accommodate your request, we cannot guarantee roommate requests and not every program allows for them. If you are in housing provided by your British host institution, you will usually be living with local and international students. In this case, Arcadia cannot assign your housing allocation and who you will be living with, since that will be determined by the British host institution.
- Gender Neutral Housing: Gender-neutral housing is very common in England and Wales, although it is commonly referred to as “mixed-gender housing.” Your room will be single-gender, though shared living spaces will be shared with those of other genders. If you would prefer single-gender housing, please note this on your Housing Preferences Form and speak with your Program Advisor.
- Internet: Access will vary according to your specific program accommodation.
- Linens: Your Program Advisor can provide specifics about whether sheets and towels are provided. If they are not, we recommend that you do not bring them with you and instead purchase them when you arrive in London—you will have time to do so during your Arcadia orientation.
- Breaks: You’ll have your accommodation throughout your term/semester, including breaks during the term/semester.* Depending on your program and housing assignment, accommodation may be available between semesters for academic year students; please check with your Program Advisor for further information.
*Housing availability between each of the three terms at University of Oxford varies by college. Please check with your Program Advisor for further information.
- Supplemental Fees: Please note that some residences may have supplemental fees. You can review these fees on the England Fees and Wales Fees pages.*Housing availability between each of the three terms at University of Oxford varies by college.
Independent Housing
Arcadia Abroad program participants are expected to live in the housing that is provided as it is part of the program design. If you have a documented medical or religious need that cannot be accommodated in program housing, you may explore independent housing. Independent housing means that you will opt out of program-provided housing and would become responsible for finding your own housing during your program.
Requests to opt out of program housing will only be reviewed when following our formal opt-out process, which is prompted by a request to your Program Advisor. You must have approval to opt out of program housing from your homeschool before it is reviewed by Arcadia Abroad. Requests to opt out of program housing are not guaranteed approval.
Students who are approved to opt out of program housing must sign and submit the independent housing waiver, which includes the address that you have secured in your program location, before your program-specific housing deadline or the deadlines listed in the Housing Refund Policy on our Refunds and Withdrawal Policies (whichever is earlier). Failure to properly complete this process may result in being charged the full program housing fee.
If you pursue Independent Housing, Arcadia Abroad will not be able to help you source housing prior to arrival or in order to meet our deadlines; vet contracts/leases; communicate with housing companies/landlords before or during your program; recommend locations or realtors; assist with paying rent; assist with facilities issues once you have moved in; or, source program housing after arrival if your are dissatisfied with your independent housing.
Once you decide to pursue Independent Housing, Arcadia Abroad cannot guarantee that you can return to housing managed by your host institution or Arcadia Abroad.
Special Needs
If you have any special needs regarding your accommodation – dietary, medical, physical – please let us know when applying. Any information received will be treated as confidential and only shared with individuals involved in your housing placement. Students with serious health concerns should notify their Program Advisor during the application process and indicate any specific needs on their housing preference form.
Very Important Additional Points
- We will do our best to honor your housing preferences, however, we cannot guarantee any specific housing assignments.
- Since housing considerations can vary, we reserve our right to change accommodation options at any time.
- Specific program housing details are outlined on each program page.
- Arcadia University Housing Policy is detailed in our Student Handbook.