The Warwick Accommodation Thread (+Guide in Post#1)

Just like chubbycharms, I'd also like to know if it's possible to change our curtains, but mainly I'd be grateful if someone could tell me if I'm allowed to bring my own mattress? (and if so, what I'm supposed to do with the one already in the room - because I was thinking of swapping it and asking my parents to take that mattress back to my house) I'm sure the mattresses are fine but if I could bring my own, that would be better :smile:

I was also wondering if we're allowed TVs in our rooms and whether I would need a license? I would ring the university but I don't really know who to contact about this. If I had a TV in my room it would never be used to play live TV - it would be there purely for the use of a games console.

Reply 6001

Lethorio

11

Original post by AngelCrow

I was also wondering if we're allowed TVs in our rooms and whether I would need a license? I would ring the university but I don't really know who to contact about this. If I had a TV in my room it would never be used to play live TV - it would be there purely for the use of a games console.

TV licences are only required if you're watching or recording live television on a television, mobile device or laptop, etc.

Reply 6002

ttoby

15

Original post by AngelCrow

Just like chubbycharms, I'd also like to know if it's possible to change our curtains, but mainly I'd be grateful if someone could tell me if I'm allowed to bring my own mattress? (and if so, what I'm supposed to do with the one already in the room - because I was thinking of swapping it and asking my parents to take that mattress back to my house) I'm sure the mattresses are fine but if I could bring my own, that would be better :smile:

I was also wondering if we're allowed TVs in our rooms and whether I would need a license? I would ring the university but I don't really know who to contact about this. If I had a TV in my room it would never be used to play live TV - it would be there purely for the use of a games console.

I'm not sure about curtains - they don't allow posters in the windows apart from with special events so if your curtains look really obviously different from the outside then they might say something. It's best to ask your resident tutor or warden about that.

With mattresses, I can't think of any reason why they might complain. If you ask them about it then they might even be able to store your mattress themselves as they would probably have a stock of spares.

As for your tv, that would not require a licence for the reasons mentioned above.

Reply 6003

hmaker

Students are sleeping in bedrooms that contain asbestos- found it in Warwick news

anyone else know if this is correct?

Reply 6004

rekenik

Hi,

has any PG student got any offers for accommodation yet (not families)?

I am so pissed off with the accommodation office. I applied for on campus accommodation on the 7th august (i know, after deadline) I called them 2 weeks ago and they said they were going to have news for me by the end of the month. Called them today and they said that next week they will "do PG hours". I'm international and I start on the 23rd september and I need to make plans to travel. I need to know whether I will get a room on or off campus (i dont care at this point). What a joke of university to be honest!!! well at least the accommodation office is full of incompetent people! I thought allocations were done by algorithm/ computer software/ ballot these days! why taking so long?! it only creates uncertainty for everyone.

Reply 6005

asdfghj88

Hey! I was wondering whether there is a bus that goes from the uni campus to Central Six shopping centre in Coventry? Or is it easier to get a bus straight to Coventry city centre? (I'm looking for a job)

Reply 6006

peace12456

7

Original post by asdfghj88

Hey! I was wondering whether there is a bus that goes from the uni campus to Central Six shopping centre in Coventry? Or is it easier to get a bus straight to Coventry city centre? (I'm looking for a job)

Hey, i'm too looking for a job and i'm not too sure on coventry but i know you can take a bus to coventry train station and catch a 20 minute train to central birmingham to the main shopping centre which is even better for finding work! More variety and such

:biggrin:

Reply 6007

asdfghj88

Original post by peace12456

Hey, i'm too looking for a job and i'm not too sure on coventry but i know you can take a bus to coventry train station and catch a 20 minute train to central birmingham to the main shopping centre which is even better for finding work! More variety and such

:biggrin:

I think Central Six is a few minutes walk from the train station..(correct me if I'm wrong!). I just want to do as little traveling as possible!

Reply 6008

BlueSam3

17

Original post by AngelCrow

Just like chubbycharms, I'd also like to know if it's possible to change our curtains, but mainly I'd be grateful if someone could tell me if I'm allowed to bring my own mattress? (and if so, what I'm supposed to do with the one already in the room - because I was thinking of swapping it and asking my parents to take that mattress back to my house) I'm sure the mattresses are fine but if I could bring my own, that would be better :smile:

I was also wondering if we're allowed TVs in our rooms and whether I would need a license? I would ring the university but I don't really know who to contact about this. If I had a TV in my room it would never be used to play live TV - it would be there purely for the use of a games console.

No idea on the curtains or mattress, but as far as TV licenses go, you need one iff you are watching live TV, regardless of what you're watching it on (so watching it live on your computer, for example, still counts). You'll probably get a letter or several saying that you're being investigated early in the year, but you can just ignore them.

Original post by Pamphlet

So far, everything I've seen about the university, especially from this thread, makes it seem like an extremely extroverted environment, even moreso than it is for other universities. As someone who really doesn't want to have anything to do with that and only wants to study, this worries me greatly. How bad are things going to be for me?

Not bad at all. You'll be fine. I went to precisely zero of those events last year, and still had plenty to do. I'd suggest avoiding the accommodation blocks that are closest to the SU though, as it can get a bit loud when there are big events on.

Reply 6009

s_axo

8

Original post by hmaker

Students are sleeping in bedrooms that contain asbestos- found it in Warwick news

anyone else know if this is correct?

Lol, yes. It's correct as it was in the Guardian and in the Boar. But I wouldn't really worry or panic... the rooms are tested regularly to see if the abestos can cause any harm. Heres the article for some reassurance: http://theboar.org/2013/08/27/asbestos-anxieties-at-warwick/#.Uh0v1D_5_IU

Reply 6010

DavideC

hey!
I was wondering.. How much on average could second year accommodation cost? Is it likely to be more expensive than on campus?

Reply 6011

BlueSam3

17

Original post by DavideC

hey!
I was wondering.. How much on average could second year accommodation cost? Is it likely to be more expensive than on campus?

On campus second year accommodation (which is rare and pretty much always involves being put in with third years) is comparable in price to first year accommodation. Going off campus could be a lot cheaper, but could also work out more expensive.

Reply 6012

Mouse Potato

9

Original post by DavideC

hey!
I was wondering.. How much on average could second year accommodation cost? Is it likely to be more expensive than on campus?

This entirely depends on where you're living, who you're living with (some people are more economic about heating than others!) etc etc. My costs for 2nd year were higher than campus. I had to withdraw on medical grounds so I can't tell you exactly how much it came to all out, but I can give you a rough break down of how it all works.

I was in AV in first year and at the time that came to about £3900 a year. My second year I was living in central Leamington, and the rent was £80pw - which I'd say is about average - for 48 weeks, bringing it to £3840. However, keep in mind that internet, water, electricity and gas all had to be paid for on top of that - I wasn't there for most of the year so didn't pay most of the bills, but I think it came to about £70 a quarter, and my flatmates were REALLY tight on heating (they didn't even put it on in December, which I definitely would not recommend...) Also, there were 8 of us, which kept the costs down because everything was divided by 8 (our internet was only about £50 each for a year, including the installation fee, for 100MB Virgin fibre optic!) A bus pass to get to campus is about £100 a term. Most people have to pay a deposit and reservation fees too, which in my experience are usually upwards of about £350, and you're not guaranteed to get it back - some landlords seem particularly bad when it comes to trying to claim your deposit off them at the end of the year. You'll also need to pay extra if you want contents insurance.

In general I'd say that yesm it's going to be more expensive. If you seriously want to cut costs down, I'd recommend:
- Coventry rather than Leamington, it's not as nice but generally cheaper
- Try to go through Warwick Accommodation, they're brilliant and you don't have to pay out for a deposit or reservation fees which saves you some cash at the beginning of the year (though you do have to pay at the end of the year if you wreck stuff!) They also include the same contents insurance you got in first year.
- Be economic (but not mean!) when it comes to your heating.
- Look for relatively well insulated properties. All properties should have an energy certificate you can view. Better insulation will save some money on heating. Generally newer builds are better.

Hope that helps! :smile:

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 6013

Mouse Potato

9

Original post by Pamphlet

So far, everything I've seen about the university, especially from this thread, makes it seem like an extremely extroverted environment, even moreso than it is for other universities. As someone who really doesn't want to have anything to do with that and only wants to study, this worries me greatly. How bad are things going to be for me?

You'll be fine. I'd really recommend doing more than just studying (University is a great place to meet people, and you'll be missing out if you just stick to your course 24:7) but if you're not a party animal, don't worry about it. I'm super introverted (social anxiety) and can't really drink (up to the eyeballs with medication, fun times) but I really loved my first year. Try to go against your nature and throw yourself into things while you're on campus - join as many societies as you can, go for coffee after lectures, sign up to things and give them a go. But don't worry if you don't fancy clubbing / being ridiculously drunk all the time. There's plenty to do if you aren't that way inclined.

Reply 6014

AngelCrow

Can anyone tell me if it would be beneficial to buy a printer for your room in halls accommodation? I'll be studying English Lit and Creative Writing so I can guess I may have more sheets to print out than most, UNLESS work submissions are all done via email. I'm hoping to stay in Jack Martin but there's no certainty that I'll get in, and Sherbourne, my second choice, is, I know, further away from the library. Has anyone else here had a printer and found it beneficial? :smile:

Oh! And how much exactly does a print cost from the university library? So many questions...

Reply 6015

username219321

14

Original post by AngelCrow

Can anyone tell me if it would be beneficial to buy a printer for your room in halls accommodation? I'll be studying English Lit and Creative Writing so I can guess I may have more sheets to print out than most, UNLESS work submissions are all done via email. I'm hoping to stay in Jack Martin but there's no certainty that I'll get in, and Sherbourne, my second choice, is, I know, further away from the library. Has anyone else here had a printer and found it beneficial? :smile:

Oh! And how much exactly does a print cost from the university library? So many questions...

Printing from the library in black and white is 6p/sheet single sided, 10p/sheet double sided. My advice for buying printers would be not to do it unless you find out that you need one (which won't be an emergency situation as you're always <15 mins from the library printers).