Ask a Student about Accommodation (University of Southampton)

Hi, i haven’t applied to Southampton but I’m just wondering when do students move into their accommodation? Do they move in a day or two before the course starts, or a week before etc?

Reply 3

Hellllpppp

20

How is accommodation paid, is it 3 equal instalments and when do you have to pay?

I’ve applied for glen eyre and Wessex lane en-suite and enhanced en-suite

Reply 4

OP

Original post by Hellllpppp

How is accommodation paid, is it 3 equal instalments and when do you have to pay?

I’ve applied for glen eyre and Wessex lane en-suite and enhanced en-suite

Hi @Hellllpppp :smile:

I paid my accommodation fees in 3 equal instalments, like you said. The first instalment is in October, the second in January and the third in April - the dates align with the start of each new term at the university of Southampton. Most contracts for student accommodation offered by the university last for the academic year so only have three instalments, but if your university halls contract is a 51 week extended contract then you will pay a fourth instalment in July too.

I lived in Wessex Lane halls in first year and absolutely loved it, it has some great social and study facilities. Some of my friends lived in Glen Eyre and they really enjoyed their time there, in particular they loved the big common room spaces where they could meet up with larger groups of people who lived in halls!

If you're looking for more information about contracts, fees and the different types of accommodation offered by the university of Southampton you can click here. You can also email [email protected] if you have any specific questions or need to discuss anything further with the university directly about halls :biggrin:

Are you planning on staying in self-catered or catered accommodation?

Anna
2nd Year English and History student

Reply 5

Hellllpppp

20

Original post by Uni of Southampton Students

Hi @Hellllpppp :smile:

I paid my accommodation fees in 3 equal instalments, like you said. The first instalment is in October, the second in January and the third in April - the dates align with the start of each new term at the university of Southampton. Most contracts for student accommodation offered by the university last for the academic year so only have three instalments, but if your university halls contract is a 51 week extended contract then you will pay a fourth instalment in July too.

I lived in Wessex Lane halls in first year and absolutely loved it, it has some great social and study facilities. Some of my friends lived in Glen Eyre and they really enjoyed their time there, in particular they loved the big common room spaces where they could meet up with larger groups of people who lived in halls!

If you're looking for more information about contracts, fees and the different types of accommodation offered by the university of Southampton you can click here. You can also email [email protected] if you have any specific questions or need to discuss anything further with the university directly about halls :biggrin:

Are you planning on staying in self-catered or catered accommodation?

Anna
2nd Year English and History student

Thank you, I’m planning on self catered but if I get into to Wessex I think I’ll take advantage of the canteen when I can’t be bothered to cook :laugh:

Reply 6

OP

Original post by Anonymous778

Hi, i haven’t applied to Southampton but I’m just wondering when do students move into their accommodation? Do they move in a day or two before the course starts, or a week before etc?

Hi

Students generally move in a week before their courses start for their induction week (& freshers!). Hope that helps.

Amy (4th year student ambassador)

Reply 7

OP

Original post by BrunoFerns

Hey Daisy! Would love to know your answer to the first question: Which Halls of Accommodation are your fav?

Hey @BrunoFerns
I stayed in Hartley Grove (Glen Eyre) so I'd probably say that was my fave, but I might be biased :smile:

. I only visited a couple of Halls due to COVID-19 or meeting friends elsewhere but the couple I went to were really nice. I especially liked Highfield Halls near Avenue Campus but I preferred self-catered accommodation (Highfield Halls was catered).
It depends what you're looking for though. I wanted en-suite, non-catered accommodation that was quite quiet so Hartley was great for me. However, if you wanted a shared bathroom or catered accommodation, for example, it is probably worth looking into other options. :smile:

It also depends on which campus you'll be using most too and how far you're willing to travel.

Are there any particular halls you are considering at the moment?

Daisy (an official University of Southampton rep) :smile:

Reply 8

BrunoFerns

9

Original post by Uni of Southampton Students

Hey @BrunoFerns
I stayed in Hartley Grove (Glen Eyre) so I'd probably say that was my fave, but I might be biased :smile:

. I only visited a couple of Halls due to COVID-19 or meeting friends elsewhere but the couple I went to were really nice. I especially liked Highfield Halls near Avenue Campus but I preferred self-catered accommodation (Highfield Halls was catered).
It depends what you're looking for though. I wanted en-suite, non-catered accommodation that was quite quiet so Hartley was great for me. However, if you wanted a shared bathroom or catered accommodation, for example, it is probably worth looking into other options. :smile:

It also depends on which campus you'll be using most too and how far you're willing to travel.

Are there any particular halls you are considering at the moment?

Daisy (an official University of Southampton rep) :smile:

Alrighty! Got it.

I do not have anything particular in mind as of yet. I've been exploring my options of late and that's about it :smile:

Thank you so much for your help tho!

Reply 9

claudiaa.s

8

hey I've been viewing accommodations and the prices are way too high as I want an en-suite however I think I will start looking for student houses

Reply 10

OP

Original post by claudiaa.s

hey I've been viewing accommodations and the prices are way too high as I want an en-suite however I think I will start looking for student houses

Hi @claudiaa.s

Hall prices tend to be slightly higher than private student houses due to all utilities being included, communal spaces being included and some level of cleaning that takes place across the halls.

I would highly recommend halls as they are great for making friends and all part of the university experience!

Which halls were you looking at?

Matt
M.Econ Student

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 11

Anonymous #1

What would you say are the key differences between Glen Eyre and Wessex Lane? I’ve already identified GE as being slightly more expensive and closer to Highfield but I’m interested in the perspectives of current students.

- Which halls are more modern? (Standard en-suite)
- How does the social life generally compare?
- What is the reputation like? I’ve seen many more reviews of Glen Eyre than of Wessex Lane.

Another question - how much interaction is there between different flats? Like organised events with people specifically living at my halls but not in my flat.

I hope the questions aren’t understandable and not too overwhelming.

TIA for the insight.

Reply 12

OP

Original post by Anonymous

What would you say are the key differences between Glen Eyre and Wessex Lane? I’ve already identified GE as being slightly more expensive and closer to Highfield but I’m interested in the perspectives of current students.

- Which halls are more modern? (Standard en-suite)
- How does the social life generally compare?
- What is the reputation like? I’ve seen many more reviews of Glen Eyre than of Wessex Lane.

Another question - how much interaction is there between different flats? Like organised events with people specifically living at my halls but not in my flat.

I hope the questions aren’t understandable and not too overwhelming.

TIA for the insight.

Hi,
That's a great question.
Though I don't have any experience of Wessex Lane so won't be able to compare the two (sorry!), I can definitely answer these questions in relation to Glen Eyre. I stayed at Hartley Grove, a quiet halls block in Glen Eyre in a standard en-suite room.

I really enjoyed my time there. On the outside, it didn't look as modern as some other Glen Eyre Halls but I found it had everything I needed and felt fairly modern on the inside. I also preferred the more traditional look of the building. My room was large with a big window and good-sized ensuite. It had a big desk with lots of storage space, shelves, under-bed storage and plenty of pinboard space on the walls to display pictures, posters and more! The kitchen felt the most modern. I loved the fact that one whole wall was a window so everything felt spacious and bright. Again, there was plenty of storage space and a big microwave and oven. The facilities on site were very modern. The Glen Eyre common room/study space was really bright, comfy and modern. With lots of colourful chairs and booths with a tv screen to watch films, practice presentations etc. Glen Eyre also has a squash court and fitness suite though I never got around to using those. The laundry facilities were also very modern.

Again I can only speak from my experience but I found that the social life at my halls was good. I'm not really into partying/drinking socialising (one reason I chose quiet halls) but I found my flatmates and other friends I had met through lessons, societies etc were up for meals out, cinema trips, pub outings etc and I really enjoyed that. Glen Eyre is the biggest student community too so there are always people to talk to. It's quite a social space too, with lots of grassy areas, picnic benches and even bbqs that are free to use!

I'd say the reputation of Hartley Grove and, more generally, Glen Eyre is very good. I really liked the fact it was so close to the campus and I really loved all the green spaces. There is also really great facilities, friendly reception staff and a bus stop nearby. I didn't really have any complaints about my halls of residence at all and any issues I did have (e.g. my shower broke), were resolved really quickly.

As for interaction between other flats, I think it depends on the people in your flat and those around you. Personally, I had a few conversations with people in the flat next to me but didn't do much more than that. However, I was involved in lots of society activities and my year in halls was cut short by COVID-19 so I didn't really get the chance to socialise with other flats. I know my friends in other areas of Hartley Grove or Glen Eyre got on really well with people in surrounding flats and some even moved in together in second/third year. As for organised social events, I'm honestly not 100% sure. Someone may have more experience with this than me as I was often out of the flat during evenings rehearsing with the musical theatre society. I'm pretty sure there were organised social events like BBQs though and I know that usually during Summer there were events like a petting zoo and more to celebrate the end of exams but unfortunately, I was unable to experience those things due to covid. Of course, some of these events may have changed since I was there and lots of my experiences come from third years as they had a full year in halls.

When choosing between the two halls though I'd keep a few things in mind. Of course, student experiences can be very useful but it's also good to think about what is important for you when it comes to halls. Would you prefer to be closer to the campus or city centre? Which halls better suits your price range? What facilities are most important to you? These are just some questions that could help you choose between the two :smile:

Overall though, I really enjoyed Glen Eyre. I'm sorry I wasn't able to give a comparison but I hope this information has been useful! Please feel free to ask any other questions you have about Glen Eyre Halls (or the uni in general) and I'll be happy to help! :smile:

Daisy (an Official University of Southampton Rep) :smile:

Reply 13

OP