The University of Southampton Accommodation Thread

What University of Southampton accommodation is there to offer ?

Different halls, all slightly off-campus. All different but have their own things to offer students.
Southampton-based halls - you get a bus pass included with fees. The Southampton buses are very good and link up every campus to every hall to the city centre and Portswood. All halls have some common areas that are shared such as music rooms, common rooms, study rooms and sometimes gyms - check each hall website!
All bills etc. included in the price. You have the option to go into a mixed gender or single gender flat. You can choose a quiet area as well. This means that if you are put in a quiet flat you will be put with others who have selected the option.
Last year the University trialled "alcohol-free" flats and it has not been confirmed whether these will make a return.
New undergraduate students are often guaranteed an offer of accommodation if they apply before the 1st August 2020. (Not confirmed yet). Postgraduate and returning students can re-apply and can apply in a group application where all members of the group have to select the same accommodation preferences - group applications are not available to undergraduate students.

Halls:
Wessex Lane - 20 minute walk from Highfield Campus. 2 parts - Montefiore (self-catered), Connaught (part-catered)
Glen Eyre - 10 minute walk from Highfield Campus. Made up of lots of little blocks "student village".
Highfield Hall - 5 minute walk from Highfield Campus. Part-catered accommodation near to green areas and Avenue Campus.
Archers Road - 20 minute walk from Highfield Campus. 2 parts - Romero and Gately. Near to Southampton Common.
Mayflower Hall - 30 minute walk from Highfield Campus. In city centre, built in 2015. Near to NOCS.
City Gateway - 15 minute walk from Highfield Campus. Postgraduate only hall!
Erasmus Park (for WSA students) - Right next to Riverside Way, you can get a shuttle bus to Highfield Campus.
Riverside Way (for WSA students) - Built in 2017, next to Erasmus Park. Privately owned but has a partnership with the Uni.
Flats/Houses (for couples/families) - Scattered around the University site. There are very few of these.

The viewing gallery above the central common room at Connaught Hall (my photo)

What is the application process?

The process usually opens in March/April of the year (2020).

You will need the following to complete the application form:

•

your Student ID number for your application. This will have been supplied to you by your faculty when you were made your offer of study

•

an email address that you have access to. Email addresses that are likely to expire or terminated, for example school or college email addresses, are not suitable

•

your current personal details, including a current address

•

the dates that you wish to apply for (if you are a pre-sessional or visiting student, or if you wish to extend your halls contract, you may need to apply for the current academic year)

Please ensure that you read the Terms & Conditions for applying for halls before submitting your application.
[This is directly from the website here.]

You then will have to select 3-5 choices for accommodation for your application to go through. If you do not put at least 3 choices, your application will not go through (unless you are applying for Winchester accommodation, then it's 2 choices).

Offers of accommodation are made in batches up until mid-September from the Monday after A-level results day. If you submitted your application before 1st August 2020, you will be guaranteed an offer (usually).

How does allocation work and do I get much choice?

You can choose your contract length, type of room, hall and if you want your flat to be mixed or single gender, in a quiet area or a show flat.
Show flats are when your room can be used as an example for people to tour on open days (you get paid for it) :borat:

When you submit your application, the Team looks at it and tries their best to get you one of your top 3 choices. Allocation depends on availability and is done on a day by day basis. The Team allocate you a room according to what was specified on your application.
When you have met your offer conditions (you are unconditionally firmed as a student) we can offer you accommodation. You then have to log into your accommodation portal account and accept this.
Offers expire up to 4 days after being received, you should check your email and portal regularly (3 times a week) so you don't miss it!
You need to enter in bank details to accept your offer of accommodation. This sets up a recurring card payment plan for the rest of the fees which are paid in 3 instalments.

What is included in University accommodation?
see website information below:
Your accommodation fees include:

•

All your bills (gas, electric, water)

•

Wi-Fi and high speed internet connection

•

Unilink bus pass*

•

24 hour support and services

•

24 hour security

•

Variety of on-site facilities (e.g. common rooms and communal computers)

•

Contents insurance (depending on possessions you wish to insure you may need to purchase additional cover)

*Excluding Erasmus Park and Riverside Way.

Do they cater for special requirements?
Yes - tell enabling. [email protected] with medical evidence, forward it to accommodation. They can look into your requirements and ensure the room you are allocated is suited for you!
Before you start your application for accommodation please contact Enabling Services who will be able provide guidance and who will work closely with us to meet your needs. (from Uni website)

How much is it and when/how do I pay?
See the fees table on the website here or on the pdf you can download here.

You pay for accommodation in 3 instalments.
For example for the 2019/20 academic year:
7 October 2019
6 January 2020
20 April 2020
1 July 2020*
*51 week contract only

Trouble accepting offer? Email the team.
Trouble with SFE? Get it sorted with them before contacting accommodation. Try their facebook.
Anything else (after accepting offer) - contact the SSC Fees department for more information on options.

FAQ
bed sizes etc. see here

If you visit the area - there is a walking tour of the halls here that you can do yourself.
You can find the Halls Guide for residents here.

DISCLAIMER - All of this is Student perspective and Student-based advice. This is NOT directly from the University and is no way official.

Accommodation Website.
Accommodation Portal.

General University of Southampton Contact details:
Phone: +44(0)23 8059 5000

University of SouthamptonUniversity RoadSouthamptonSO17 1BJUnited Kingdom

Student Service Centre Contact Details:

To help you get the support you need quickly, there is an online chat service. We will be online 10:00 - 16:00 Monday - Friday. Just click here to speak to us during these times. You need your University of Southampton ID number for this!
If you have a more complicated query or would like to speak to us outside of our chat hours, we are still available by phone on +44(0)23 8059 9599 or email at [email protected] or in person in Building 37 on Highfield Campus (opposite the Jubilee Sports Centre) between 08:30 to 18:00 Monday - Friday.

When to contact Your Faculty and Accommodation
If you have not yet had your accommodation confirmed (and it's after mid August/mid-September) please contact accommodation to see if your application is alright.
If you've not received a confirmation email that your place at the University of Southampton has been confirmed, you need to first contact the admissions team of your faculty. You can find phone numbers for them here. Please ensure you've sent the relevant documents your faculty has requested in order for your place to be confirmed swiftly.
Then you can always inform accommodation of the steps taken and for example if you are waiting for a DBS check it ensures they know everything is on track!

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 180

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Original post

by neoj

Hey cheese, when in the year do people start looking for second year accommodation? I've heard people get it before Christmas which seems very early...

Hey

yeah people tend to get all excited and look too early :tongue:

I would say definitely start looking if you have a bunch of friends you wanna share somewhere with around nov/dec time
you'll want to be signing something around or before February as good places will start to disappear after then
don't worry if you lag behind though, Southampton has a large surplus of student accommodaton!
:smile:

Cheese
P.S
Top Tip
- Go to the Student's Union Advice Centre bit on housing
get in touch with them as well
they check contracts, check the landlord you are with isn't a well known nasty one
they can give you a check list of what to look out for when renting
generally are super helpful! Been to them at least 3 times now, highly recommend!

Reply 181

Anonymous #8

Hey I was wondering if there were mirrors in the Wessex hall monte rooms and if so whereas I'm unsure whether to buy a mirror or not as I couldn't spot one in the picture

Reply 182

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Original post

by Anonymous

Hey I was wondering if there were mirrors in the Wessex hall monte rooms and if so whereas I'm unsure whether to buy a mirror or not as I couldn't spot one in the picture

don't buy a mirror. It will be a pain to move in and out and you might not be allowed it if it's massive + a h/s risk or whatever
most rooms have them!
Which picture are you referring to?

Reply 183

neoj

5

Original post

by CheeseIsVeg

Hey

yeah people tend to get all excited and look too early :tongue:

I would say definitely start looking if you have a bunch of friends you wanna share somewhere with around nov/dec time
you'll want to be signing something around or before February as good places will start to disappear after then
don't worry if you lag behind though, Southampton has a large surplus of student accommodaton!
:smile:

Cheese
P.S
Top Tip
- Go to the Student's Union Advice Centre bit on housing
get in touch with them as well
they check contracts, check the landlord you are with isn't a well known nasty one
they can give you a check list of what to look out for when renting
generally are super helpful! Been to them at least 3 times now, highly recommend!

Awesome, thanks!! February sounds more reasonable. And I'll bear your advice about the SU in mind :smile:

Reply 184

Claydelas

5

Has anyone else been asked to quarantine in Winchester for extra 300 quid (2 weeks), whilst studying in Southampton? Recently got a 2nd offer for accommodation in addition to my main contract with no context whatsoever. In the email accompanying the offer it says I have to accept it before arriving, but surely they can't make me do that - it's an OFFER ffs? I've already signed a contract for halls that covers the dates I'm quarantining, so I don't see how paying extra to be in a different city for 2 weeks makes any sense... What do you guys reckon will happen if I don't accept this offer and show up at Glen Eyre on the date and time I booked for my arrival during check-in? I've been sending emails left and right about this but they are apparently all too busy to answer me, so I'm hoping someone here knows what's up.

Reply 185

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Original post

by Claydelas

Has anyone else been asked to quarantine in Winchester for extra 300 quid (2 weeks), whilst studying in Southampton? Recently got a 2nd offer for accommodation in addition to my main contract with no context whatsoever. In the email accompanying the offer it says I have to accept it before arriving, but surely they can't make me do that - it's an OFFER ffs? I've already signed a contract for halls that covers the dates I'm quarantining, so I don't see how paying extra to be in a different city for 2 weeks makes any sense... What do you guys reckon will happen if I don't accept this offer and show up at Glen Eyre on the date and time I booked for my arrival during check-in? I've been sending emails left and right about this but they are apparently all too busy to answer me, so I'm hoping someone here knows what's up.

If you need to quarantine when you arrive and this period starts on main intake, you should have been offered temporary accommodation for these dates I think
I think you are going to have to wait for an email response and they will have to rectify this probably
It's a bit strange they didn't take your email information into account :beard:

I wouldn't accept it until you get an email response

Reply 186

Anonymous #5

Does content insurance include electronics like my laptop and phone? Or just other basic appliances

Reply 187

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Original post

by Anonymous

Does content insurance include electronics like my laptop and phone? Or just other basic appliances

You can check what is covered here: https://www.endsleigh.co.uk/student/confirm-your-student-cover/

Reply 188

negRm777

1

Hi, is it normal for them to still be sending out offers at this point, since I've received no communication yet after applying?

Reply 189

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Original post

by negRm777

Hi, is it normal for them to still be sending out offers at this point, since I've received no communication yet after applying?

To be honest no, but due to pandemic I bet they are running late.
If you applied before mid-August, I would contact them and check everything is alright
Best thing to always check is--->
- Are you awaiting anything to confirm your student status at University?
- Do you have any UCAS offer conditions still to meet?
--> this can include: DBS, Occupational Health checks, submission of relevant documents to admissions, errors or delays in processing applications on admissions side
- If any of the above apply this could be what is delaying your offer of accommodation.
Contact your faculty./department/student office/admissions and then also contact accommodation
Let both parties know that you need info asap and if you find out anything, let accommodation know

Hope this helps,
Cheese

P.S If you've received the "welcome to Southampton" email with your Student ID number + UCAS shows you as Unconditionally Firmed, you're fine. Don't worry about the above :smile:

Reply 190

Anonymous #2

Original post

by Claydelas

Has anyone else been asked to quarantine in Winchester for extra 300 quid (2 weeks), whilst studying in Southampton? Recently got a 2nd offer for accommodation in addition to my main contract with no context whatsoever. In the email accompanying the offer it says I have to accept it before arriving, but surely they can't make me do that - it's an OFFER ffs? I've already signed a contract for halls that covers the dates I'm quarantining, so I don't see how paying extra to be in a different city for 2 weeks makes any sense... What do you guys reckon will happen if I don't accept this offer and show up at Glen Eyre on the date and time I booked for my arrival during check-in? I've been sending emails left and right about this but they are apparently all too busy to answer me, so I'm hoping someone here knows what's up.

From halls website : "From the date you arrive in halls you will be charged a quarantine rate of £21.42 per night. If your 14 days extends beyond 26th September, your main year contract will be adjusted and will start on the day that you move from quarantine accommodation into your permanent room. In some cases, this may be longer than 14 days and therefore if your main year rate is less than the quarantine rate, we will credit your finance account with the difference and this will be deducted from your first accommodation instalment."

Reply 191

Henzag

3

What's the drink culture/nightlife at Southampton compared to other university's

Reply 192

Anonymous #10

what’s the difference between standard and enhanced rooms? I understand that enhanced are a bit larger but are they any newer or anything? or is the difference literally just the size? I went to see some really nice new halls in glen eyre which were “category 1” but i don’t know if this was just for show and the other category 1 rooms are older or a bit worse for wear

Reply 193

Anonymous #2

Hi, we're looking at houses in Portswood area but have just read that Portswood is the most dangerous student area to live in the UK (excluding london, greater manchester, scotland according to this article in thetab).

Is this article accurate? Thanks for any replies (especially from those who lives/lived in Portswood).

Reply 194

Tori121901

3

I have a quick question. I'm a new postgraduate student and I've just submitted my application for accommodation. Do postgrads normally get housed with other postgrads or is it more mixed?

Reply 195

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Hi everyone :hi:

Sorry for the late replies, been busy :redface:

Original post

by Henzag

What's the drink culture/nightlife at Southampton compared to other university's

It has nightlife. It is a city. I hope this helps :rofl:

Right now a lot is different though :emo:

I would post this question in the general university of southampton forum as I am not much of a partyer myself! :tongue:

Original post

by Anonymous

what’s the difference between standard and enhanced rooms? I understand that enhanced are a bit larger but are they any newer or anything? or is the difference literally just the size? I went to see some really nice new halls in glen eyre which were “category 1” but i don’t know if this was just for show and the other category 1 rooms are older or a bit worse for wear

So it depends.
Recently accommodation have changed how they classify rooms (to standard and enhanced) so I can't be 100% certain but previously the categories were higher for these reasons:
-newer rooms
-larger rooms (some have small double beds for example)
-recently upgraded furniture
-more storage/space
-nicer room location

Yeah so category 1 was the old classification!
Most category 1's are the same in glen eyre but I can't for sure tell if category 1 is enhanced or not :dontknow:

can't be sure with the new system unfortunately.

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi, we're looking at houses in Portswood area but have just read that Portswood is the most dangerous student area to live in the UK (excluding london, greater manchester, scotland according to this article in thetab).

Is this article accurate? Thanks for any replies (especially from those who lives/lived in Portswood).

Hiya

I would say the article is exaggerated but let me put it this way, throughout my time in Southampton I have avoided Portswood and been quite successful with it. There are plenty of other areas in Southampton.
If you really like the house I would say no reason not to go for it, just be careful about wandering around on your own at night in Portswood. Otherwise you are going to be absolutely fine.
Unfortunately Southampton is a city and like most cities there are rougher parts. The best indication of areas to live in Southampton is by checking the crime rates.
In my experience around the uni and uni hospital (bassett/burgess road) and down near Wessex lane (Swaythling) you're fine.

Original post

by Tori121901

I have a quick question. I'm a new postgraduate student and I've just submitted my application for accommodation. Do postgrads normally get housed with other postgrads or is it more mixed?

Hi there

Nice, best wishes for your application!

Yes they do, don't worry. Unless you stated a preference to be with Undergraduates, you are much more likely to be placed with other postgraduates in a postgraduate flat. Undergraduates are typically put together and postgraduates with other postgraduates.
Don't worry :tongue:

Have a great evening,
Cheese

Reply 196

Blueside07

6

Heyy so I’ve got a question regarding about accommodations. I’ve put Southampton as my insurance and for my firm uni I’m planning on going from my home. So I was wondering if I had to book an accommodation for my insurance or do I wait till results day?

Reply 197

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Original post

by Blueside07

Heyy so I’ve got a question regarding about accommodations. I’ve put Southampton as my insurance and for my firm uni I’m planning on going from my home. So I was wondering if I had to book an accommodation for my insurance or do I wait till results day?

Yes. Fill in the application form for Southampton.
Usually if you do it before 1st August (depending on the year) even insurance choices for your first year you are guaranteed accommodation.
If you end up going to your firm you aren't charged anything anyway. Either cancel the booking after results day or phone/email accommodation and they will cancel it for you after they know you are going to your firm uni choice.
Definitely do it :yes:

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 198

Anonymous #11

Do you have a higher chance of getting your first choice accommodation / an earlier reply if you have an unconditional offer?

Reply 199

CheeseIsVeg

OP

Volunteer Team

22

Original post

by Anonymous

Do you have a higher chance of getting your first choice accommodation / an earlier reply if you have an unconditional offer?

No to first choice. Same chance as anyone. The Uni doesn't discriminate against firm, insurance or clearing choices (depending on the year).
If you apply before 1st August you are usually guaranteed accommodation and the Uni had over 90% of people getting one of their top 3 choices previously.
Previously they have been able to tell you what accommodation you get offered earlier (e.g on or around results day) however this policy may change.

Do note that they will not ever give you your room number until you arrive as they often have to do last minute room changes due to late students arriving with special room requirements etc.

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