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)

Scroll to see replies

Reply 620

MudMarsh

Hi,
I've firmed Southampton already and applied for student finance but I was wondering about numbers to a shared bathroom flat? I can't see any obvious answer on the accomodation website and just wanted to know how many people I would be sharing a toilet/shower with? Also what are the options for having/not having a wash basin? I can see the choices on the website but not on the actual application page! Thanks in advance :smile:

Reply 621

MOBUoS

Official Rep

Original post

by MudMarsh

Hi @MudMarsh,
Thanks for your questions. Shared bathroom flats normally have a ratio 3 or 4 people to a bathroom, However, it is at the discression of you and your flatmates in how you split yourselves between the bathrooms in the flat. In terms of wash basins in your room, this is specified by the room type you choose. There are versions of most room types with and without wash basins, but it may be that they are at different halls sites. Our room types with wash basins are only at Glen Eyre, Highfield Halls (which is our part-catered accommodation) and Wessex Lane with basins being in standard shared bathroom rooms at all three locations and in enhanced shared bathroom rooms at Glen Eyre.

Hope this helps
Matthew
Student Ambassador

Reply 622

userCW200

Hi, I'm looking at the accommodation at Southampton and Glen Eyre, Archers Road and Wessex Lane are the ones that I'm considering but I've got a few questions so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Which of those 3 places has the nicest facilities?

What does the enhanced versions of thee accommodations mean?

How regularly are the shared toilets/ bathrooms cleaned or do we have to clean them ourselves?

Any help on these and I would be very grateful. Thanks

Reply 623

MOBUoS

Official Rep

Original post

by userCW200

Which of those 3 places has the nicest facilities?

What does the enhanced versions of thee accommodations mean?

How regularly are the shared toilets/ bathrooms cleaned or do we have to clean them ourselves?

Any help on these and I would be very grateful. Thanks

Hi @userCW200,
All three of those sites are quite nice to live at. Glen Eyre is our largest halls site so can be a bit busy and depending on where you are based, it can take a couple of minutes to walk to places like the common room or postal facilities. Wessex Lane is slightly smaller, but still quite large. This site is more enclosed so everything is slightly closer together. Archers Road is a much smaller site, being only 2 buildings. It is much closer to the city centre then either Glen Eyre or Wessex Lane. However there is not the variety of room types at Archers Road that ypu have at either of the other two sites.

The enhanced and enhanced plus room types differ from basic and standard by size, you can expect a larger amount of space from enhanced rooms compared to stndard rooms, both in the room itself and in communal spaces as well. The quality of the facilities in the flat may also be slightly better. This is reflected in the increased price of the room.

In terms of cleaning, we do have a cleaning service that will do a surface clean of communal spaces every two weeks I believe. This will include the bathrooms if they are shared, but not if you have an en-suite room. However, you are also expected to maintain clenliness as well. There are inspections of communal spaces (particularly the kitchen) each month to make sure the spaces are being kept clean. However, as long as you clean-up after yourself, there should be no cause for concern.

I hope this answered your questions. Please let us know if you have any more
Matthew
Student Ambassador

Reply 624

Anonymous #35

Hi, I'm trying to apply for accommodation at Southampton, but when I pick new LGBTQ+, I get only 2 rooms total, from 2 buildings whereas when I pick 'new undergrad' I'm shown many rooms from 7 buildings each. I'd just like to know if this is right, and if the only way to apply is to apply with both of those rooms when there are better rooms with better prices, and only 2 are available. When picking both of the rooms, I'm allowed to submit the application.

Reply 625

MOBUoS

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi,

What you are seeing on the accommodation portal at the stage you are describing is the halls sites. Once you select one, you will be able to then choose the room type you want. There is the option to select between 5 and 7 diffrent room type/ locations and rank them in oreder of preference. Unfortunatley, due to the lower demand of LGBTQ+ rooms, we only offer them for Standard en-suite rooms at Wessex Lane halls and Standard shared bathroom rooms at Glen Eyre Halls. We prioritise the fact that you want to be in an LGBTQ+ flat over in you prefferences, so the system will allow you submit an application despite not having at least 5 choices in this case.

Hope this clears things up. Feel free to ask if you have anymore questions
Matthew
Student Ambassador

Reply 626

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

hi was wondering if anyone had a pic inside the bathroom of the archers ensuite? and if anyone has any negatives on archers they can share i know about its positives

Hi there @anonymous 34 ,

As someone who lived in Archers Road Halls (specifically Gateley Halls) for my first year, and will be living there again for my second year, the first negative that came to mind was the fact that there is no lift 😭. Gateley only has 3 floors (ground floor, first floor, second floor) but living on the second floor and having to walk up and down those stairs every time you leave/come back was just not very fun. It makes it very difficult when moving out/moving in or when going somewhere with a lot of luggage and having to do multiple trips up and down the 5 flights of stairs carrying an extremely heavy suitcase 😭😭.

In terms of the ensuite bathroom, it is not very big but it does the job. It comes with the toilet, sink, mirror above the sink with lighting, shower, toilet brush, a hook, a bar railing and a toilet paper holder (*does not come with a bin in the bathroom, just 1 in the room!). The shower pressure is quite low and you are not allowed to put your own shower head on it 😪.

A positive about Gateley, however, is that I have heard that the kitchens are much bigger than the ones in Romero. Although, the laundry room is in Romero and so, living at Gateley, you have to walk about 3 minutes down the road and cross the road to do your laundry. Also, there are 6 washing machines and dryers in the laundry room between everyone living at Archers Road Halls, but only one of the washing machines requires you to use your own detergent 👍️. And the reception is in Gateley, so people living in Romero have to come to Gateley to get their mail or speak to the reception.

The room itself is actually decently sized. It keeps quite warm in the winter, but does get very hot in the summer. It has a notice board, where you can pin things, a desk with lighting and many drawers. Each flat gets a hoover and an ironing board (**no iron**), a microwave, we had 2 ovens, 2 cupboards, a fridge and a freezer shelf each. Though, only having 2 sinks was never a massive issue, sometimes more than 2 people wanted to wash their dishes but couldn't 🤷*♂️.

The bus stops are about a 7-10 minutes walk from Gateley, and lots of bus routes have a stop at Archers Road, which is great.

I hope that wasn't a ton of information or irrelevant, and hope you found that all useful!

Rehman, 1st Year Accounting and Finance
Student Ambassador

Reply 627

Frxnwoods

Original post

by CheeseIsVeg

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!

(Student ONLY)
Hello! I’m looking to transfer my studio at Austen House to a student who wants it. I have other housing plans for my third year that I want to do.

🏡 Yugo: Austen House - Private Halls
💵 £215 per week (51 weeks) or £250 per week (44 weeks)
📍 Central Southampton (5 minutes from Lidl/Tesco)
Close to University of Southampton bus stops and a 15-minute walk from Solent University

Reply 628

adeliee

Hi i have a very much last minute query!
I got into southampton on results day as my insurance choice. I completed my accommodation on the same day (14th Aug).
But since, my student finance has changed meaning that i cannot afford my top 2 choices by £2,000.
So i would just like to switch my top 2 choices with my 3rd and 4th choice.
I have, however, unfortunately only discovered this just now, less than 24 hours before my accommodation will be released. If i were to remove my application ASAP and replace it with these changes, would everything be ok? Considering i will be told at 5pm 26th August (tmrw sadly).

ps. i tried editing my preferences but it wasnt going through ig as my application has been properly submitted????
Many thanks <3

Reply 629

hera5

Original post

by adeliee

Hi i have a very much last minute query!
I got into southampton on results day as my insurance choice. I completed my accommodation on the same day (14th Aug).
But since, my student finance has changed meaning that i cannot afford my top 2 choices by £2,000.
So i would just like to switch my top 2 choices with my 3rd and 4th choice.
I have, however, unfortunately only discovered this just now, less than 24 hours before my accommodation will be released. If i were to remove my application ASAP and replace it with these changes, would everything be ok? Considering i will be told at 5pm 26th August (tmrw sadly).
ps. i tried editing my preferences but it wasnt going through ig as my application has been properly submitted????
Many thanks <3

Don't withdraw your application as you won't be able to submit another one. Also if Southampton was your insurance and not clearing you missed the deadline for guaranteed accommodation which was in July, so it's possible you won't be offered anything. Perhaps call today and see what the position is.

Reply 630

adeliee

Original post

by hera5

okay thank you! I wont remove it i guess i'll just have to grind at work if i get my 2 top choices :frown:

And fear not the insurance accommodation was deffo in august because you can only apply for it before results day if it us ur firm choice

Reply 631

hera5

Original post

by adeliee

okay thank you! I wont remove it i guess i'll just have to grind at work if i get my 2 top choices :frown:

And fear not the insurance accommodation was deffo in august because you can only apply for it before results day if it us ur firm choice

It is only clearing applicants that are guaranteed if you apply after results day. If you were insurance and applied on the 14th it would be a good idea to call them. Taken from FAQs below. Every year there are people who miss this.
If you are a first-year student and apply before 11:59pm UK time on 1 July in the year that you will start study, then you will be covered by our Accommodation Guarantee. This means that you are guaranteed to receive an offer of accommodation in a single-occupancy room.

Our Accommodation Guarantee extends to students who select the University of Southampton as their firm or insurance choice.

Reply 632

adeliee

Original post

by hera5

It is only clearing applicants that are guaranteed if you apply after results day. If you were insurance and applied on the 14th it would be a good idea to call them. Taken from FAQs below. Every year there are people who miss this.
If you are a first-year student and apply before 11:59pm UK time on 1 July in the year that you will start study, then you will be covered by our Accommodation Guarantee. This means that you are guaranteed to receive an offer of accommodation in a single-occupancy room.
Our Accommodation Guarantee extends to students who select the University of Southampton as their firm or insurance choice.

No i am deffo guaranteed a place in the same way clearing student are. But if at 5pm u do turn out to be right i will call them up so so quickly

Reply 633

donsterman13

Does staying in private student accommodation affect your social life at university? Bit worried that it will ☹️

Reply 634

Zach12312

anyone know if the mayflower 10 room flats have a bigger kitchen area/more appliances than the 8 room flats? thank you!

Reply 635

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post

by donsterman13

Does staying in private student accommodation affect your social life at university? Bit worried that it will ☹️

Hey there

Don’t worry staying in private student accommodation doesn’t mean your social life will be limited. Lots of students end up in private halls or houses, and you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to meet people. Universities offer so many societies, clubs, and events where you can make friends who share your interests, and those connections often end up being just as strong as those made in accommodation. As long as you get involved and put yourself out there a little, you’ll build a great social circle no matter where you live. You definitely won’t be missing out

Best wishes
Junfan student ambassador

Reply 636

AiméeRose

Hi, I think I’m in a flat with a studio apartment in it (I’m in MO3-P116) because the halls life website says “flat 1… has 5 ensuites and one studio”. I wondered if anyone knew how this differs from a typical flat, such as will the kitchens be smaller or will the rooms be laid out in a different way?