Have you missed out on the Campus Accommodation lottery so far? Are all the privately owned student apartments full? Can't find a house? Don't know what to do next?

Follow the steps below in the 'What's Next' guide to securing student accommodation.

Step 1 - Don't panic

Please remember that beds will still become available in the coming weeks and months.

• Campus Accommodation will run subsequent lotteries, for those who have already applied, as students change their minds or accept offers elsewhere.
• The majority of privately owned student apartment complexes will get cancellations in the coming weeks and months.
• Private rentals can still be found throughout this period.
• The First Year Accommodation Placement Service will open once the CAO offers have been issued.

Step 2 - Remain proactive

It is important to remain proactive in your search for accommodation.

As you do not know when a bed may become available, keeping in touch with the privately owned apartment complexes within your budget is always a good idea. 

• When searching for private rental properties, students can create alerts on the UCC StudentPad site so that you are contacted when something new is posted. If you have difficulty accessing StudentPad, please contact their suppport team. 
• Search the student specific section of Daft.ie.
• You should be familiar with your rights and responsibilities as tenants as they are laid out in the Residential Tenancies act.
• Digs, in an owner occupied home, should also be considered. You should take time to familiarise yourself with the differences between a tenant and a licensee in this context.

You may start to see more of these types of rentals appear around the end of the academic year around April/May and over the summer period. Please note that you should always meet the person offering the rental and view the property before making any payment.

Step 3 - Be prepared

You must be prepared to secure a late place in safe accommodation. Knowing the city, the student apartment complexes and correct websites is vital.

We recommend that students visit Cork and the area surrounding the University in the lead up to securing accommodation.

• Review the full list of Privately owned student apartment complexes. 
• UCC StudentPad may also have listings for Digs as well as private rentals with other students.
• If you make contact with a landlord or owner occupier, be prepared to come to Cork as soon as possible to secure the room.
• Consider all options. Do not discount safe and secure accommodation because it is not ideal for your first year. Digs can be a great alternative for many students if you are stuck. It is only for one academic year.

Step 4 - UCC service

UCC will open its 'CAO Accommodation Expression of Interest' form once the CAO offers have been issued.

Once available you can access this service through an online form via the Accommodation & Community Life home page.

Our office aims to assist incoming UCC First-Year students in their search for accommodation. Please read the following guidelines carefully.

Important Information:

• No Guarantee: Please be aware that submitting this form does not guarantee you accommodation.
• Eligibility: This support is available exclusively to first-year undergraduate CAO students who have accepted a CAO offer to attend UCC and have not yet secured accommodation.
• Contacting You: As vacancies become available, we may reach out to you with relevant accommodation options.
• Eligibility Criteria: This service is only available to students who will be living at least 30 km away from UCC. Priority will be given to students who live the furthest away.
• Data Sharing: UCC may need to share the details you provide with accommodation providers, should you agree in the below form. If you agree to this, your information will not be shared with any other third parties.
• Accuracy: Ensure that all information provided is accurate. Please do not submit the form more than once.

Step 5 - Keep in contact

If you don't tell us, we cannot help.

Our service will remain in contact with students through this website, our Facebook page and through email. If students do not keep in contact with us, we must presume that they have secured their own accommodation.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

T: +353 (0)21 490 3849

E: resservices@ucc.ie