Thread for accommodation questions for 09/10 entry - READ &amp; POST HERE FIRST :o)

has anyone else received the following email from Edinburgh university??

We are about to issue you, within the next 24 hours or so, with an offer of accommodation at the University of Edinburgh for the academic year 2009-10. But, before doing so, I thought it would be useful to explain why we are making you the offer we are, as it differs from any preferences you may have expressed on your application for accommodation.

The University has been extremely successful in its recruitment campaign for new Undergraduates this year but this has had the effect of creating a significant excess of demand over the normally available supply of accommodation. Quite simply, we have had no choice other than to source additional accommodation and indeed look at options such as having students share twin and bunk bedded rooms.

Your offer, when you receive it, will be for a room in accommodation operated by Jewel & Esk College; the college is used to managing student accommodation and we have been fortunate to source a number of rooms from them, better enabling us to manage this additional demand.

The accommodation you will be offered is based on single study bedrooms, sharing bathroom facilities, on a catered basis with 14 meals per week (breakfast and evening meal each day). There will be almost 50 other new UG's from the University in this accommodation which will include the majority of those services normally available in our own accommodation, including contents insurance, all utility costs and internet access. In addition, we shall be ensuring an appropriate welfare service in conjunction with colleagues from Jewel & Esk College and providing you with full and free membership of the health club (including pool and fitness rooms) which forms part of the complex.

The cost of this accommodation to you is actually the same as would have been the case had you been offered similar but older standard rooms at University owned sites. You should note the location of this campus on Milton Road East is 3-4 miles from the city centre and so we will be arranging for you to receive a free bus pass throughout your stay and which offers an effective service into the city and its attractions, as well as to the main teaching and support areas of the University at Old College and around George Square. Further information on the accommodation provided at Jewel and Esk can be found at:
http://jec.ac.uk/Pages/page.php?id=40&page=6

We hope you are able to accept this offer of accommodation when you receive it; more information on the specific location is provided as part of the offer process and you will receive specific arrival information by email in early September. Unfortunately, if you are not able to accept this offer, and because we really have no other options available, then we shall not be able to offer you any alternative.

Please look out for the email which will contain information on how to access and then accept your offer; it should be with you in the next 24-48 hours. And please do not reply directly to this email; if you have any issues with your offer when you receive it, you should contact our Allocations team at [email protected] or call them on 0131 651 2042.

Thank you

it's actually 4.5 miles away, and is predominantly used by highers students. However, it appears that there's nothing i can do to change it. anyone else in this dilemma??

Reply 784

is there ANYTHING i can do to change this??

We are about to issue you, within the next 24 hours or so, with an offer of accommodation at the University of Edinburgh for the academic year 2009-10. But, before doing so, I thought it would be useful to explain why we are making you the offer we are, as it differs from any preferences you may have expressed on your application for accommodation.

The University has been extremely successful in its recruitment campaign for new Undergraduates this year but this has had the effect of creating a significant excess of demand over the normally available supply of accommodation. Quite simply, we have had no choice other than to source additional accommodation and indeed look at options such as having students share twin and bunk bedded rooms.

Your offer, when you receive it, will be for a room in accommodation operated by Jewel & Esk College; the college is used to managing student accommodation and we have been fortunate to source a number of rooms from them, better enabling us to manage this additional demand.

The accommodation you will be offered is based on single study bedrooms, sharing bathroom facilities, on a catered basis with 14 meals per week (breakfast and evening meal each day). There will be almost 50 other new UG's from the University in this accommodation which will include the majority of those services normally available in our own accommodation, including contents insurance, all utility costs and internet access. In addition, we shall be ensuring an appropriate welfare service in conjunction with colleagues from Jewel & Esk College and providing you with full and free membership of the health club (including pool and fitness rooms) which forms part of the complex.

The cost of this accommodation to you is actually the same as would have been the case had you been offered similar but older standard rooms at University owned sites. You should note the location of this campus on Milton Road East is 3-4 miles from the city centre and so we will be arranging for you to receive a free bus pass throughout your stay and which offers an effective service into the city and its attractions, as well as to the main teaching and support areas of the University at Old College and around George Square. Further information on the accommodation provided at Jewel and Esk can be found at:
http://jec.ac.uk/Pages/page.php?id=40&page=6

We hope you are able to accept this offer of accommodation when you receive it; more information on the specific location is provided as part of the offer process and you will receive specific arrival information by email in early September. Unfortunately, if you are not able to accept this offer, and because we really have no other options available, then we shall not be able to offer you any alternative.

Please look out for the email which will contain information on how to access and then accept your offer; it should be with you in the next 24-48 hours. And please do not reply directly to this email; if you have any issues with your offer when you receive it, you should contact our Allocations team at [email protected] or call them on 0131 651 2042.

Thank you

I SERIOUSLY don't want to stay 4.5 miles out of town at a 6th form college, but it looks as though my hands are tied - either take this or find my own accommodation :s-smilie:

... anyone have any ideas??

Reply 785

nearlyheadlessian

15

john-milton

I SERIOUSLY don't want to stay 4.5 miles out of town at a 6th form college, but it looks as though my hands are tied - either take this or find my own accommodation :s-smilie:

... anyone have any ideas??

Personally I would probably take it. With about 50 other Edinburgh undergraduates, you won't be lonely (and whose to say that the Jewel & Esk students aren't lovely too?). The location is annoying, but buses run late so you can get home late. Equally, if you make yourself some friends elsewhere obviously you'll have somewhere to crash in central Edinburgh on late nights. It's not ideal, but I reckon that a free annual bus pass (unlimited trips to Ikea anyone?), free membership of their gym (all the stuff out at Jewel & Esk is practically brand new) and food and so on. Given you're at this late stage I would make the best of a poor situation. After all, the university are going to offer you good accommodation for their standard prices, so you're not being left in the lurch of having nowhere to live. If it's really bad, then look into an internal transfer to somewhere else within accommodation services after 5 or 6 weeks. But you might like it. Given it's August 24th, I would accept it, and make the best of it.

Reply 786

nearlyheadlessian

Personally I would probably take it. With about 50 other Edinburgh undergraduates, you won't be lonely (and whose to say that the Jewel & Esk students aren't lovely too?). The location is annoying, but buses run late so you can get home late. Equally, if you make yourself some friends elsewhere obviously you'll have somewhere to crash in central Edinburgh on late nights. It's not ideal, but I reckon that a free annual bus pass (unlimited trips to Ikea anyone?), free membership of their gym (all the stuff out at Jewel & Esk is practically brand new) and food and so on. Given you're at this late stage I would make the best of a poor situation. After all, the university are going to offer you good accommodation for their standard prices, so you're not being left in the lurch of having nowhere to live. If it's really bad, then look into an internal transfer to somewhere else within accommodation services after 5 or 6 weeks. But you might like it. Given it's August 24th, I would accept it, and make the best of it.

I've had a look and it doesn't look ideal, but it is workable. after calling the accommodation office i was told that if i put in a request for a transfer i, along with ay other jewel and esk students who apply, will egt 1st preference of a room at pollock if any students refuse accommodation and drop out. and as you said, there are a few quirks - the gym looks very good, as does the pool. the free bus pass will be handy for things other than getting to and from uni. the actual rooms are apparently much nicer and newer and it's not like I'll be all alone up there - 50 other students is quite a few, so I'm sure I'll get on fine - I reckon I'll put myself on the waiting list for pollock and hope for the best :o:

... and if not I'm sure this accommodation will still be fun for me.... still a bit annoyed though, as I've spent my whole life being a 45min bus journey from any sort of town centre and i thought that would change at uni :frown:

Reply 787

Rian1988

14

Why have Edinburgh allowed so many new under graduates this year and not have enough accommodation available? Just seems a bit strange.

Reply 788

Rian1988

14

john-milton

I've had a look and it doesn't look ideal, but it is workable. after calling the accommodation office i was told that if i put in a request for a transfer i, along with ay other jewel and esk students who apply, will egt 1st preference of a room at pollock if any students refuse accommodation and drop out. and as you said, there are a few quirks - the gym looks very good, as does the pool. the free bus pass will be handy for things other than getting to and from uni. the actual rooms are apparently much nicer and newer and it's not like I'll be all alone up there - 50 other students is quite a few, so I'm sure I'll get on fine - I reckon I'll put myself on the waiting list for pollock and hope for the best :o:

... and if not I'm sure this accommodation will still be fun for me.... still a bit annoyed though, as I've spent my whole life being a 45min bus journey from any sort of town centre and i thought that would change at uni :frown:

Do you still get to keep the bus pass if you get a transfer? :tongue:

Reply 789

Rian1988

Do you still get to keep the bus pass if you get a transfer? :tongue:

looks like it... I'm being issued a full years bus pass in my name at the beginning of term... it'll be prepaid, so i doubt they'd take it away....

oooh.... and the accommodation includes all of xmas and easter, so i can just leave my stuff there... come on new years in Edinburgh :woo:

Reply 790

Rian1988

Why have Edinburgh allowed so many new under graduates this year and not have enough accommodation available? Just seems a bit strange.

apparently nearly every applicant exceeded the grades they needed for entry and the Uni were counting on about 250 more failing to get in. they're putting bunk-beds in many pollock rooms and putting some students in other accommodation further out from the city center and university.

Reply 791

teaandcake-please

I just checked, haven't had any emails regarding accomodation. Just have this on MyEd:

"You have been allocated accommodation, a link to accept this accommodation will be posted shortly"

D'ya think that means I'm in normal university owned accomodation? :s-smilie:

Reply 792

Hazuki_Mar

teaandcake-please

I just checked, haven't had any emails regarding accomodation. Just have this on MyEd:

"You have been allocated accommodation, a link to accept this accommodation will be posted shortly"

D'ya think that means I'm in normal university owned accomodation? :s-smilie:

I have had this message for two weeks. A week ago they sent me an e-mail telling me I would receive an offer of accommodation for one property of UNITE in the next 24h. I'm still waiting for it. But today they send me exactly the same e-mail. I'm mad at them and I send an e-mail asking them whats wrong.

Anyway, the 31 is the last day to get accommodation right? let's wait a little bit longer.

Reply 793

Rian1988

Why have Edinburgh allowed so many new under graduates this year and not have enough accommodation available? Just seems a bit strange.

THANK YOU - what's all this rubbish they're spinning me about living 5 miles away from where my lectures are gonna be? I live in London, been to scotland to see the university and that's IT. Thank you for the free bus pass, but i'd really you know, if i'm gonna be honest, like to be with everyone else.

I think i'm going to look for privately owned accommodation nearer to George sq coz tbh i'd like to be able to walk everywhere - whether its for food, lectures, just to ask about someting coz im lazy - if its far i'm going to wait the longest possible time before i hav to go there!

Rian1988 - your post just spoke to my heart! lol

Reply 794

goldgirl

Im also in jewel & esk! i was confused at the beginning but it seems that there is nothing we can do?

Reply 795

Hi people who have also been disappointed by Edinburgh University. :smile:

If you, like me, have been allocated accommodation 5 miles away from the centre of town [I don't knw if there are others but most likely Jewel and Esk accom.] and are just not happy about it, I'm trying to come up with a solution.

Basically, I think for people who don't mind trying it, renting a flat with 2 or 3 others is a good alternative. My parents aren't really happy with the idea, because they wanted something more secure [which is why i signed up for pollock halls in the fist place] but I can tell you my mum is angry enough about me having to take a bus in everyday!

For those of you who live in London [sorry i really don't know any other examples] think going from criklewood/kilburn/lewisham to somewhere like London bridge everyday. By bus.

If you're at all interested in renting [this is a non commitment thing atm btw!!] Contact me on facebook - Edijana Obiakpani-Guest

I'm not too happy about having to rent with strangers in the first year either, but i'm sure most people in the same situation are just a 'normal' as i am lol!

xx :woo:

<- that's meant to be a panic face.....

Reply 796

hi guys
i made a new thread for basically anyone who is AT ALL interested in the prospect of renting.
not looking for commitments, just ideas and possibilities - maybe we can work something better out?
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=20849647#post20849647

Reply 797

nearlyheadlessian

15

Zelda91

THANK YOU - what's all this rubbish they're spinning me about living 5 miles away from where my lectures are gonna be? I live in London, been to scotland to see the university and that's IT. Thank you for the free bus pass, but i'd really you know, if i'm gonna be honest, like to be with everyone else.

While I don't think it's a great situation I do feel obliged to partially defend the university's accommodation services. They said they would guarantee you accommodation in Edinburgh and they have offered you accommodation in Edinburgh. Their end of the bargain has been held up. I agree Jewel & Esk isn't ideal, but they have gone out of their way to throw in bonuses (free gym, bus pass etc). You're going to be there with 50 other undergraduates, which is quite a lot really. You seem to have misunderstood Edinburgh accommodation, given that 1st years are scattered throughout the city. Pollock Halls is a 25 minute walk to George Square - JewelEsk is 20 minutes or so on the bus (with good night bus services). So it's not ideal, but you are going to struggle to find private accommodation before September 12th.

Reply 798