ESA letter for university accommodation
A letter from a GMC-registered UK doctor to send with a request to keep an emotional support animal in university halls. Universities decide under their own policies, and some say no.
- Written and signed by a GMC-registered UK doctor
- Can go with a request to university accommodation or halls
- Confirms the animal supports your mental health
- Delivered as a signed PDF to your inbox
- Full refund if a doctor cannot issue a letter on clinical grounds
£49 · No appointment needed · UK-registered doctors
£49
What your letter contains
- Your name and the animal it relates to
- Confirmation that the animal supports your mental health
- Doctor’s name, GMC number, signature and date
- Issued on headed paper as a PDF
MedicalCert reviews across all its services, not only ESA letters.
The short answer. An ESA letter for university is a letter from a doctor confirming that your animal supports your mental health, sent with a request to your university’s accommodation or disability service. Some universities consider these requests case by case and ask for medical evidence; others do not allow emotional support animals in halls. Check your university’s policy first.
How universities handle emotional support animals
There is no national rule. Emotional support animals are not defined in the Equality Act 2010, so each university sets its own policy, usually through its disability or accommodation service. The published policies we have read show how much they vary.
- University of Nottingham. Decides requests for its own accommodation case by case. Its guidelines ask for medical evidence of the condition and the need for the animal, public liability insurance, an up-to-date vaccination record and flea and worm treatment. A panel decides.
- Loughborough University. Considers emotional support animals case by case, and asks for a signed letter on headed paper from a health professional, diagnostic evidence, details of the animal and a local vet plan, and personal liability insurance.
- King’s College London. Has a policy treating emotional support animals as a reasonable adjustment on university premises, with public liability insurance required.
- University of Bristol. Says emotional support dogs that are not accredited assistance dogs are not allowed in its accommodation.
These are examples, not a picture of every university. Read your own university’s policy before you apply, and ask the service what evidence it wants.
Where the letter fits
Where a university asks for evidence from a doctor or health professional, a letter from us can be part of it. It confirms that a GMC-registered doctor has reviewed your health and that the animal supports your mental health. It will not cover the other things a policy may ask for, such as insurance or vet records, and some policies ask for evidence of a diagnosis as well.
The letter covers up to two pets, is valid for 12 months and costs £49. If the doctor cannot issue one on clinical grounds, you get a full refund. How the letter works.
Private student housing
If you rent from a private landlord rather than the university, the university policy usually does not apply. Nottingham’s guidelines, for example, send private accommodation requests to the landlord. In England, a private assured tenancy falls under the Renters’ Rights Act pet rule: ask in writing, and the landlord must answer within 28 days and not unreasonably refuse. ESA letters for housing.
Related: emotional support animals at work · who qualifies.
Common questions
Can I have an emotional support animal in university halls?
It depends on the university. Some consider requests case by case, for example Nottingham, Loughborough and King’s College London. Others do not allow them: the University of Bristol says emotional support dogs that are not accredited assistance dogs are not allowed in its accommodation.
Does a university have to accept my ESA letter?
No. A university decides each request under its own policy. The Equality and Human Rights Commission says that, depending on the facts, allowing an emotional support animal may be a reasonable adjustment. That is a decision for them, case by case.
What else will the university ask for?
Each policy differs. Examples we have read ask for medical evidence of the need for the animal, insurance, vaccination records, flea and worm treatment, or a vet plan. Check your own university’s policy before you apply.
I live in private student housing. Does the university policy apply?
Usually not. Nottingham’s guidelines, for example, cover university-owned accommodation only and send private accommodation requests to the landlord. In England, a private tenancy may fall under the Renters’ Rights Act pet rule. How that works.
Sources. The legal and clinical facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 25 September 2026. Law and landlord, university and airline policies change, so check the source before you rely on it.
Get your ESA letter for university
A GMC-registered UK doctor reviews your request online and, where appropriate, writes a letter for your accommodation request. £49, paid once.
Start your requestReviewed by a GMC-registered doctor. Full refund if a letter cannot be issued on clinical grounds.