Accommodation
What type of housing should I choose?
Choosing housing can be really stressful. I’ve stayed in a variety of types of accommodation, so here’s my list of advantages and disadvantages!
Advantages
Disadvantages
University accommodation – shared self-catered flat (My first year)
- Close to lectures
- I find Exeter campus really pretty and we had a nice view
- En-suite toilet
- Own space from others
- Hard to go shopping in town – it isn’t far but I do not want to carry my shopping up a hill that steep!
- Anxiety because you don’t know who you’ll be living with and what they’ll be like
Shared house with other students (My second year)
- Liked being in a house more than in a flat
- Closer to town
- Price was OK
- Many cats on our street
- Further from uni
- No heating – a common thing to save money on bills in housing where bills aren’t included is to go ‘no heating’ – not fun. 0/10 would not recommend.
- Student housing is quite cramped
- Living with people is more annoying in a house if you aren’t close
Living in private halls (My third year)
- You get your own space from others
- Close to the shops
- You can apply without a group of people
- Bills are included so no worrying about other people not wanting to pay for heating!
- Secure buildings
- On-site facilities like gyms and study space
- Staff on site if there are issues
- Printers
- Having a reception means you don’t need to be in when things are delivered
- Experience depends on who you get put with. I was really lucky with one flatmate but the other two had no hygiene standards whatsoever!
- Can feel quite cheap, quality-wise
- Traffic sound from outside
- You can hear sound from other flats / rooms
- Bed was less comfortable
- Further from the uni
Renting a room as a lodger – living with my landlady (My final year)
- No paperwork – gives me total freedom with length of stay. I can spend less money as I don’t pay for months where I’m not there.
- Being in a nice house
- Comfortable
- Nice neighbourhood and a quiet environment away from other students
- Close to shops
- Slightly cheaper rent
- Bills included
- Living in an actual house
- Get along well with those I live with
- No paperwork – this works two ways. My landlady also has total freedom, if she wanted to give me a month’s notice at any time there’s no contract protecting my stay.
- Further from the uni
Written by
Poppy
Poppy, MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical), Streatham Campus.
Adapted accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation available, including adapted housing for disabled students. You might like to consider the following if you have special requirements…
Written by
Ella
Ella, BA English and Creative Writing, Streatham Campus.
East Park, Streatham Campus.
Making friends at East Park
I stayed in East Park in my first year and loved the experience of living in halls. My favourite part was making close friends who could all support one another throughout your studies. Not only did I live next door to my best friend from home (the University allowed us to live together) – I became close friends with my roomie opposite me.
The sweetest memory I have of living in halls was when my friend opposite would leave little Post-Its on our doors with positive messages. She also left small cakes outside our rooms with cute notes on them sometimes too. Our flat was just like a family, especially when it came to Christmas time. It is true when everyone tells you that you make friends for life at university.
Written by
Caitlin
Caitlin, BA English and Communications, Streatham Campus.
Top 5 tips for bonding with your housemates
In my first year, not only did I not end up in the accommodation I had hoped for, but I also found out I’d be living with ten other people! Here’s how I made it work:
#01
First things first, know that it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to have different hobbies or interests; now you have something to share.
#02
Set up a group chat – you are going to need it.
#03
Get to know each other. Organise an outing, it doesn’t need to be anything big, even if it’s just popping round the corner to a café.
#04
Discuss your boundaries / rules (especially when it comes to cleaning).
#05
Plan some house activities. Your accommodation should be a fun, safe place for you to return to and trusting your housemates helps.
Written by
Beth
Beth, BMBS Medicine, St Luke’s Campus.
Everything’s close at Glasney Village
The great thing about living in Glasney Village in first year is how close it is to everything you need. Everyone’s accommodation is just a few minutes’ walk from the lecture theatres and library as well as some of the most beautiful places on campus – like the walled and Italian gardens, which are great places to work and spend time in warmer weather.
As well as this, there is an onsite gym and sports facilities and several cafés and places to eat across the campus, which means there is always somewhere to meet friends or go to between lectures.
Written by Lily, BSc Zoology, Penryn Campus.
Glasney Village, Penryn Campus.
Top 5 things I forgot to bring to uni
Coathangers
You don’t want to get here and not be able to hang up your clothes!
Pack of cards
A great way to get to know people and socialise is by playing a few classic card games!
Batteries
For all those fairy lights in your room, to keep it nice and cosy.
Power bank
To take around with you on campus when you’re out for the day.
Tupperware
For those leftovers that you’re going to be taking for your lunch!
Written by
Lydia
Lydia, BA Marketing and Management, Streatham Campus.
Shared kitchens and the Residence Life team
I enjoy living in self-catered halls in Birks Grange Village because it allows me to have the independence of cooking for myself while being surrounded by like-minded students. The shared kitchen is an ideal social space for film nights and dinner parties.
My favourite part of living in halls has been meeting a wide range of people with different degree subjects and who have diverse life experiences (such as travelling during their gap years). Whether you prefer nightlife or a quiet night in, you will usually find someone in your accommodation with shared interests. The option to add preferences on your application for alcohol-free or quiet flats is a plus.
The Residence Life team organises a range of events throughout the term and can support you with any accommodation-related issues. Their advice session about choosing second-year housing was particularly helpful for me.
Written by
Lucy
Lucy, BA English with Study Abroad, Streatham Campus.