[Skarm]

I'm trying to choose between King's and Sheffield uni. I prefer Kings slightly more, BUT I live within the M25, making me low priority for accomodation.
I live on the very border of the M25, and it would be an hour and a half commute in to the uni every day, which would put a massive dampener on the whole uni experience if I had to commute, and would make socialising pretty god damn hard.
So I'm just wondering what my chances are for getting accomodation, and whether anyone has had success with KCL accomodation while living inside the M25.



Just a demonstration of how far out I actually live, I'm 2 stations away from the termination of the met line, and Guy's campus is on the other side of the river. 54 minutes is in non peak time and not accounting for all the walking to the station and waiting around for crowded trains.

[GdotL]

A couple years ago it was common - but pretty much no chance this year mateyyy.

[i.am.lost]

My best friend did, but not immediately. After a few months someone left or something, and she was given a place then.

Edit: this was last year

[Skarm]

(Original post by GdotL)
A couple years ago it was common - but pretty much no chance this year mateyyy.

I would have thought that this year, with something like a 3% drop in applications to uni, I might have stood a better chance.

[GdotL]

(Original post by Skarm)
I would have thought that this year, with something like a 3% drop in applications to uni, I might have stood a better chance.

No, they tightened up the rules a lot last year. This also coincidentally meant that a lot of the 'London Asians' haven't got places and lots of the people who live in random English towns live in the accommodation

I know it sounds strange but your best bet is to try and get a flatshare with some other people (even through the internet!) - my younger brother did this and it worked out very well (stalk them on Facebook etc beforehand ) or else just live in a random flatshare/rent a room on your own. These things sound so scary pre-uni but trust, it's really fine to do them. Especially in a non-campus uni like King's where it's not very close-knit so everyone does their own thing anyway.

[Skarm]

(Original post by GdotL)
No, they tightened up the rules a lot last year. This also coincidentally meant that a lot of the 'London Asians' haven't got places and lots of the people who live in random English towns live in the accommodation

I know it sounds strange but your best bet is to try and get a flatshare with some other people (even through the internet!) - my younger brother did this and it worked out very well (stalk them on Facebook etc beforehand ) or else just live in a random flatshare/rent a room on your own. These things sound so scary pre-uni but trust, it's really fine to do them. Especially in a non-campus uni like King's where it's not very close-knit so everyone does their own thing anyway.

I'll probably end up firming sheffield then. Accomodation is something of a deal breaker.

[GdotL]

(Original post by Skarm)
I'll probably end up firming sheffield then. Accomodation is something of a deal breaker.

Cool yeah, that'll be a much better 'uni experience' - you don't get that really at a London university, it's just like going to school.

[catoswyn]

(Original post by Skarm)
I'm trying to choose between King's and Sheffield uni. I prefer Kings slightly more, BUT I live within the M25, making me low priority for accomodation.
I live on the very border of the M25, and it would be an hour and a half commute in to the uni every day, which would put a massive dampener on the whole uni experience if I had to commute, and would make socialising pretty god damn hard.
So I'm just wondering what my chances are for getting accomodation, and whether anyone has had success with KCL accomodation while living inside the M25.



Just a demonstration of how far out I actually live, I'm 2 stations away from the termination of the met line, and Guy's campus is on the other side of the river. 54 minutes is in non peak time and not accounting for all the walking to the station and waiting around for crowded trains.

On their site it seems to suggest that all accomodation will go to international and home students outside the zone you mention.

Rubbish for someone in your situation really!

[catoswyn]

(Original post by Skarm)
I would have thought that this year, with something like a 3% drop in applications to uni, I might have stood a better chance.

The good universities have actually seen a 6% rise as people want value for money. Also they have all gone for recruiting heavily overseas to make up their shortfalls.

[AngieBeBallin]

Anyone at King's College looking for a flatshare this September? Message me if interested - I'm looking for a group of girlies to go flat-hunting with!

[FinalMH]

(Original post by Skarm)
I'.

You can still get accommodation, i know few people who have. I understand why KCL has this policy most of its students are from London. So it is fair to say that you can travel 1 hour each way compare to someone who lives further away.

[Norfolk_Enchance]

I live inbetween kings cross and camden and ive lived in wolfson house for the past year.

how?

i gave my aunts house in barking.


also my flatmate lives in high wycombe/uxbridge and he moved in 19th sept a day after moving day

[<3 inbetweener =D]

(Original post by Norfolk_Enchance)
I live inbetween kings cross and camden and ive lived in wolfson house for the past year.

how?

i gave my aunts house in barking.


also my flatmate lives in high wycombe/uxbridge and he moved in 19th sept a day after moving day

how did you manage to give a different address to the one on your ucas form? did you just change it on the accomodation application?

[Beckiix]

The M25 rule is a bit unfair tbh. I live in Essex and it only takes me ~20 mins to get to Stratford and another 25 to get to Temple (Strand campus) which is probably a similar commute time to yours but I'll most likely get my accommodation. KCL should really consider the amount of time/inconvenience that comes from living in zones 6+ and getting into central everyday! At least you might be able to move in with people in the second year?

[FinalMH]

(Original post by Beckiix)
The M25 rule is a bit unfair tbh. I live in Essex and it only takes me ~20 mins to get to Stratford and another 25 to get to Temple (Strand campus) which is probably a similar commute time to yours but I'll most likely get my accommodation. KCL should really consider the amount of time/inconvenience that comes from living in zones 6+ and getting into central everyday! At least you might be able to move in with people in the second year?

How is it unfair? Most KCL students come from London, so to make it fair for people who don't live inside the M25. Someone commuting from Bristol compared to someone in Zones 6+....

[Beckiix]

(Original post by FinalMH)
How is it unfair? Most KCL students come from London, so to make it fair for people who don't live inside the M25. Someone commuting from Bristol compared to someone in Zones 6+....

It's unfair when you consider that it's actually easier/quicker/less stressful to get into central from surrounding counties than from the outer London zones!

[FinalMH]

(Original post by Beckiix)
It's unfair when you consider that it's actually easier/quicker/less stressful to get into central from surrounding counties than from the outer London zones!

Surely 'time' is the important factor... If it takes you hour and takes someone else 2 hours and half then you can obviously see where they will side.

I just don't understand why people in London can't understand this, you obviously won't like it but surely people will apply knowing this...

[Beckiix]

(Original post by FinalMH)
Surely 'time' is the important factor... If it takes you hour and takes someone else 2 hours and half then you can obviously see where they will side.

I just don't understand why people in London can't understand this, you obviously won't like it but surely people will apply knowing this...

I think I'm misunderstanding your post. I was just saying that I think it's unfair for someone like me, living in Essex and being eligible for accommodation, can get to the campuses potentially faster from home than someone living at the end of a tube line and within the M25.

Of course, someone living far away has more of a right to accommodation than someone within the M25 ring but I feel massively for the people that have to commute from the other side of London, especially during rush hour.

[Podcaster]

OP why didn't you pretend you live with a relative when doing UCAS? if that is too late try taking the tube or bus to harrow on the hill and then picking up an express british rail from there to Marylebone. Shoould speed things up a little.