The Student Room Group
Winter time, University of Kent
University of Kent
Canterbury
Visit website

Keynes self-catered...Flat or House?

So I got my unconditional today from to study History as of Sep. 2012.

Accommodation-wise I loved the look of Keynes new refurbished rooms and kitchens. There seem to be similar places where some are flats and some are smaller houses..am I right? I have yet to go to an open day.

Anyone who could shed some light regarding the flats and the houses (which appeal as they are half a grand cheaper and have less students per kitchen) I would be most grateful :smile:
Reply 1
I'm currently living in Keynes Block P in the flats, honestly and this is in no way biased, these flats are the best on Campus, the kitchen is absolutely huge, the rooms are a great size with lots of storage, the en-suite is small but you'll find this of all on campus Uni accommodation! The people make it really, as there are eight to a flat you may feel that it would be cramped but there is ample space for everybody and you make some great friends/drinking buddies. The kitchens are well equipped: 2 fridges, 2 ovens/hobs, 2 microwaves there's never a problem come dinner time. If you moved into the flats you would find that during Freshers they keep it more open so that everybody gets to know each other, here the entire block know one another and we have a brilliant time! It's never too noisy during work-times so you'd have no problem studying and is literally a minute from essentials/campus center and all the amenities, the only downside is the less than impressive laundry room which is almost always busy but doing your washing on a Friday around 5pm you'll have no problems. You should really come for an open day you'll find it nice and you could tour one of the flats to see yourself!
Winter time, University of Kent
University of Kent
Canterbury
Visit website
Thank you for the helpful info. I booked a UCAS visit day as I made Kent my firm choice yesterday. I think I'm gonna put the flats as a first choice, I was just considering the town houses as cheaper, are they in the same location as the flats?
Reply 3
Original post by under_the_radar
Thank you for the helpful info. I booked a UCAS visit day as I made Kent my firm choice yesterday. I think I'm gonna put the flats as a first choice, I was just considering the town houses as cheaper, are they in the same location as the flats?


The townhouses are in the same area, the living space in the houses suck though!
In that case Houses go as a back up choice, maybe number 4. Otherwise I'll just wait till my UCAS day to have a proper look at the flats. Im thinking Keynes, Tyler Court B & C and Parkwood Flats.
Reply 5
Keynes Flat are the best accomm on campus ...

I live in Keynes G block .... small room / catered at Dolce Vita ( BWEURKKKKKKKKK ) / Kitchen with only one micro-waves and one micro-fridge \o/.

Definitely go for Keynes flat.
Reply 6
I can't decide between Keynes self catering or parkwood flats :/
Reply 7
Keynes Self-catering :wink:

You'll regret to be so far away from campus if you're going to parkwood, at keynes you've everything closer.
Reply 8
Really? I quite like a walk. Then again I suppose when its raining.....
Original post by Tom_Sg
Keynes Self-catering :wink:

You'll regret to be so far away from campus if you're going to parkwood, at keynes you've everything closer.



Original post by sajerz
Really? I quite like a walk. Then again I suppose when its raining.....


I've never found it a problem, I live at the far end of Parkwood, and it only takes say 15 mins to get to the far end of campus.

Essentially, do you value the few hundred quid more than having a sofa in the kitchen? That is all it comes down to IMO.
Reply 10
Its not raining often here dont worry :smile:
Original post by AlexInWonderland
I've never found it a problem, I live at the far end of Parkwood, and it only takes say 15 mins to get to the far end of campus.

Essentially, do you value the few hundred quid more than having a sofa in the kitchen? That is all it comes down to IMO.


Walking ain't no thang...

Yeah I did wonder between house and flat though due to paying almost half a grand more for the flat which has a bigger kitchen. I'm not sure what else is different apart from the amount of people on each floor. Guess I'll find out on Wednesday UCAS day
Reply 12
I've also applied for Kent and I'm stuck on the same thing right about now, I'm torn between Keynes Flats and Parkwood Flats... I've heard that Parkwood is pretty cool for socialising reasons but everyone talks about how nice and awesome Keynes new refurbished flats are but how is it on the social side of things?
Reply 13
Original post by OG_Micky
I've also applied for Kent and I'm stuck on the same thing right about now, I'm torn between Keynes Flats and Parkwood Flats... I've heard that Parkwood is pretty cool for socialising reasons but everyone talks about how nice and awesome Keynes new refurbished flats are but how is it on the social side of things?


I live in parkwood flats(bossenden) and i have to say that i love it here, all my friends live in parkwood so we are not a distance apart. Great atmosphere in the flats, i know practically everyone in the part of my block (bossenden is spilt into 3 blocks) and also a lot from the ones adjacent to us. Really can't go wrong, en-suite rooms are amazing. Rooms are of a decent size, much better than any other accommodation ive seen on campus but i can't speak for keynes extension as i haven't actually been in there yet.
I went for Parkwood houses as my first choice in the end, mostly because of the price in comparison to some of the flats, i.e. Keynes and Tyler court. The only nerves I'm feeling about my choice is whether I'll get on with my housemates because I've heard some horror stories about not getting on. However, I've heard good things about Parkwood being very good for socialising, and as you don't mind the walking maybe go for that?
Reply 15
Original post by under_the_radar
So I got my unconditional today from to study History as of Sep. 2012.

Accommodation-wise I loved the look of Keynes new refurbished rooms and kitchens. There seem to be similar places where some are flats and some are smaller houses..am I right? I have yet to go to an open day.

Anyone who could shed some light regarding the flats and the houses (which appeal as they are half a grand cheaper and have less students per kitchen) I would be most grateful :smile:


I'm starting History September 2012 as well! I can't wait! although I can't decided on what accommodation! what did you decide on in the end?
I chose the Keynes Townhouses as my first! :biggrin: There's only 5 houses (so 45 rooms) so statistically there's a slim chance of getting a room here which is why I made it my first to maximise my chances :smile:

My other choices were Park Wood Houses (for 6 people), Park Wood Flats and Darwin College. Chose these because they were the only ones I could afford with my loan (and still have enough money to live). [Well, these plus Tyler Court A and Park Wood House for 5 but chose Darwin/House for 6 over them]
Original post by annaward
I'm starting History September 2012 as well! I can't wait! although I can't decided on what accommodation! what did you decide on in the end?


Apologies for not seeing this sooner, its been a busy year and I haven't been on here in a while!

From what I remember (yes I don't even fully remember) it was Keynes flat first, Tyler Court B&C second, Keynes town house third and something else...maybe Parkwood flat but I can't be certain. What did you decide on?

Quick Reply

Latest