Accommodation

So.. I have to choose my accommodation within the next couple of days (due to the deadline), I am stuck between either band C (shared bathroom, more flatmates and older facilities) or band D (ensuite, newer and nice facilities but mostly a trek from the campus). I was wondering what the general consensus recommendation would be if current students and to pick the accommodation again which they would pick and why?As everyone I spoke to that is also joining (large majority) in sept 2018 have chosen band d, while current students have said its better off getting band C. like.. is the ensuite worth the extra £40 per week? will it affect the type of people and friends I met etc. overall, I just want to have the best experience at Surrey as possible, and where I will live will have a large impact to that, so kinda need help. Many thanks!!

So.. I have to choose my accommodation within the next couple of days (due to the deadline), I am stuck between either band C (shared bathroom, more flatmates and older facilities) or band D (ensuite, newer and nice facilities but mostly a trek from the campus). I was wondering what the general consensus recommendation would be if current students and to pick the accommodation again which they would pick and why?As everyone I spoke to that is also joining (large majority) in sept 2018 have chosen band d, while current students have said its better off getting band C. like.. is the ensuite worth the extra £40 per week? will it affect the type of people and friends I met etc. overall, I just want to have the best experience at Surrey as possible, and where I will live will have a large impact to that, so kinda need help. Many thanks!!

Hi @Nikash

I hope you don't mind me dipping in here! This is obviously a really tough choice for you so I just wanted to share some advice and my experience.

As you said, there are benefits to both of your choices! If you go for a band D and get a room at Manor Park then you'll need to travel into campus a little bit - but this really isn't too far at all (a 5 min bus ride or a 15 min walk), but on the plus side you'll be nice and close to Tesco and the Sports Park (and of course have your own bathroom). On the other hand, the band C room will mean that you'll have to share a bathroom but you'll be located on Stag Hill campus, so closer to your lectures, the library etc. Remember, there are some band D rooms on Stag Hill as well so there is a (smaller) chance that you'll be allocated one of those.

When I was a student I lived on Stag Hill in a Band D room (one year in Stag Hill Court, and one year in Surrey Court) and like you I was hesitant about having to share bathrooms! But it really isn't that bad at all - because most people you'll live with will have different timetables there is very rarely a rush to use the shower at a certain time so you shouldn't need to worry about that. The cleaners come every other day to clean all the shared spaces so that is all sorted for you as well.

Overall the main thing that will make your time living in halls is the people that you share it with. I don't think that there is a particular 'type' of person who will be in each band, so it's really hard to tell who you'll end up with. But that's quite exciting too! Whichever one you decide to go for, just make sure that you make the effort to spend time with all your new flat mates when you move in and that will really help to make you feel at home in your new halls. And if you decide that it's not right for you, the accommodation team usually open up the opportunity to room swap a few weeks into term, so you'll have the option to change bands then.

I hope this is useful - feel free to ask any more questions you have!

Emma

Thank you very much, this was so helpful!1 it covered basically everything I was asking for and made my decision a whole lot easier.
lastly, if you had the choice to pick out of the two which would be your preference?
Thank you!!

Happy to help! I think that if I was applying again as an undergrad I'd go for a band C and save the £40 a week for something else

last question, I promise! Which accommodation did you enjoy the most and that you felt like you had the better experience? (I know obviously it depends on many factors such as how well you get along with your flatmates, but I'm asking just in general) Thank you!!!

Thank you and I appreciate all the advice!! can't wait for September.