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Student Accommodation

2010 Student Accommodation Frequently Asked Questions

- with answers (simply click the question)

1. Am I guaranteed a place in university residence?
   • First Year Undergraduates
     Accommodation is guaranteed to all new single first year full-time degree students who have not previously lived in University accommodation, and who have accepted their course offer and applied for accommodation by 13th August.
   • Foundation Year
     Foundation Year students based at City of Bath College will be guaranteed University accommodation providing the apply by 13th August. Foundation Year students studying at Wiltshire College are not eligible for University Accommodation.
   • Postgraduates
     Postgraduates, classified as "overseas" for fees purposes, who have not previously studied at Bath, will be offered single study accommodation in University residence for up to one academic session if applied for before 13th August. The majority of senior students live in our off-site complexes in the city centre.
     New postgraduate students, classified as 'Home' or 'EU' students for fees purposes, are not guaranteed University Residence but we will place applicants on a waiting list, we hope to house between 100-150 such students in 2010/11. 'Home/EU' applicants on the waiting list will be notified within 1 month of their application as to whether we can offer a place in University Residence.
   • Euromasters (MA Contemporary European Studies)
     Due to the rather individual nature of the MA Contemporary European Studies (Euromasters) course, which can involve periods of study abroad, we will offer you University accommodation in one of our off-site complexes providing we receive your application by 3rd September. For Euromasters students 2010/11 we will offer either a Semester 1 contract, Semester 2 contract or a Whole year contract, depending on your study plans. Semester 1 contracts will run from September 2010 - February 2011. Whole year contracts will run from September 2010 - June 2011. Semester 2 contracts will run from February 2011 - June 2011
   • Visiting/exchange students
     University accommodation for visiting/exchange students is strictly limited and mainly off-site in the City centre. Priority will be given to full year students and those coming under exchange agreements where provision of university accommodation is guaranteed to our students on their placement abroad on a "quid pro quo" basis. Names of applicants must be submitted to our Admissions Dept by 1 June, for accommodation for September entry or by end of December for second semester entry. If you are an exchange student who is not eligible for university residence, then assistance will be given to help you find somewhere suitable to live in the private sector.
2. How do I apply?
   • First Years
     Please note that all prospective first year undergraduates with an unconditional firm or conditional firm offer were able to apply online from middle March 2010. Please note that rooms are allocated according to a students' status (i.e those already holding an unconditional offer can be allocated a room before those still holding a conditional offer). For those with an insurance offer for Bath, you will be able to apply for your accommodation preferences when your offer at Bath is confirmed.
   • Postgraduates
     After you have returned the acceptance of your course offer please wait for confirmation from the Graduate Office that they have received and processed the acceptance, you will then be able to apply for University Accommodation. Until you have returned your acceptance you cannot apply for accommodation, as our accommodation database will not recognise your details. You can then use the on line application form which you can access through the relevant page for your particular student type.
     
   MA Contemporary Studies (Euromasters)
   After you have returned the acceptance of your course offer please wait for confirmation from the Graduate Office that they have received and processed the acceptance, you will then be able to apply for University Accommodation. Until you have returned your acceptance you cannot apply for accommodation, as our accommodation database will not recognise your details. You can then use the on line application form which you can access through the relevant page for your particular student type
   • Exchange/Visiting Students
     The Exchange Co-ordinator, Sarah Crampin, (S.J.Crampin@bath.ac.uk) will notify you as to whether or not you are eligible for university residence. If you are eligible, you will be told how to apply on-line. If you are not eligible then we will give you details of how to access our private sector lettings database.
3. What choice do I have?
   • On the application form you may express one preference via the dropdown menu for the type of room and complex you would like. If we are unable to meet your first choice we will try to offer you the nearest available alternative. Due to demand, we are unable to guarantee that a particular type of residence will be offered to you and all offers of University accommodation are made strictly subject to availability. You can be assured, however, that your preferences will be taken into consideration as far as possible. Where alternatives are offered, every effort will be made to ensure that the fee level and where possible the type of accommodation are comparable to those of your preferred options. With this in mind, please avoid contacting the University to request a change unless there are exceptional circumstances of which we have been previously unaware.
4. When will I receive my offer of accommodation?
   • The majority of accommodation contracts for September intake will be dispatched during August and early September, therefore please do not query your allocation until after 10 September. If you arriving midway through the academic year you can expect to hear from us 1-2 weeks before your arrival date. Full arrival details will be given with your accommodation contract. .
5. Where do I collect my keys from?
   Please visit key collection pages. Full instructions for arrival in intake days (25th Sept-27th Sept) will be available soon.
6. What if I need to arrive early?
   • Contracts start from 25th September for most students (except Foundation Year) so please try to arrange your travel plans fit to this, but if you absolutely have to move into your room earlier than the start date of your contract please contact the Accommodation Department for availability and prices - although we cannot guarantee availability before 25th September. Due to refurbishment of some areas during the summer months early arrivals may not be permitted at all.
7. What is provided?
   • On campus:
     Bed linen - comprising cotton sheet, pillow, pillow case, 1 underblanket, 1 duvet and 1 duvet cover - is provided on loan for all rooms, except Eastwood 1-19. The kitchens, which include dining areas, are equipped with a cooker, one or two large fridge/freezer(s), food cupboards, electric kettle, an iron, ironing board, chairs, tables and a sink unit. Vacuum cleaners are available from the Housekeepers.
   • Off campus:
     Duvet and pillow are provided but we do not provide bed linen free of charge but you can purchase a bed linen pack or bring your own. The bed linen pack costs £7 and consists of a duvet, pillow, duvet cover, sheet and pillow case. The kitchen equipment is similar to that on campus. Central Heating is provided in the Autumn and Spring letting periods and is included in the residence fee.
8. What do I need to bring?
   • Bedding and bed linen is provided for on campus residences (except Eastwood 1-19 and Osborne House). Those allocated to an off-site residence please note bed linen is not provided free of charge. Off campus students can purchase a bed linen pack or bring their own. The off campus bed linen pack costs £7 for a single and £12 for a double and consists of a duvet, pillow, duvet cover, sheet and pillow case. Students need to bring their own hand and bath towels and either bring or purchase once here their own cookware, crockery and cutlery. Other useful items are coat hangers, tea towels, dishcloths and washing up liquid. The Students' Union FRESH shop on campus provides a comprehensive selection of grocery and fresh food items but in case you arrive outside opening hours it is always useful to bring some basic food and drink supplies for the first couple of days.
9. Is there anything I should not bring?
   • Yes! Microwaves, deep fat fryers and heaters. Also, rice cookers not purchased in the UK, (please see Campus Life for a full list) Any items not allowed in residence will be removed if they are found.
     Please do not bring any candles or joss sticks of any sort, even decorative ones, as they are strictly prohibited under Health and Safety rules. Failure to comply with this rule invokes penalty procedures.
10. Can I have data connection in my room?
    • Residential Networking (ResNet) allows students to connect their own computers to the University campus LAN
      Data connection is available in all rooms and the basic cost is included in your residential fees. For further details of how to get connected and any other computing enquiries, please go to the RESNET pages.
      Please note that you will need to have accepted your offer of University residence and given us your payment instructions BEFORE you are able to apply for ResNet access. It is important to realise that if your residential fees' account falls into arrears, ResNet access will be withdrawn. Data connection is only for University of Bath registered students/members of staff or official visiting academics
11. Do I have to buy a licence for my TV?
    • For full information please read TV Licensing - Students and the law
12. What telephone service is available?
    Freewire Telephone
    The Freewire Telephone service, with a handset now available in bedrooms at Woodland Court/Marlborough and Solsbury Court/Westwood/Polden Court/Osborne House/Carpenter House and Thornbank Gardens , lets you make FREE calls to any of your fellow residents within the University of Bath’s halls of residence or to anyone on the Freewire Network. The system is based on the latest VoIP technology and provides you with the following benefits: • Free calls to other Freewire Telephone users anytime, anywhere in the world • Free subscription to the service for friends and family • Free voicemail, teleconferencing and call screening facilities • Extremely competitive rates when calling other networks and mobile phones And, if your bedroom does not have a Freewire handset, you can still access the Freewire service by downloading the free and easy to use software that lets you enjoy the same benefits via a “softphone”. For further information on how to get started, just refer to your handset instruction guide. Or, to download the software and find out more about Freewire, just visit freewiretv.com
    Freewire TV
    Using your PC and Freewire’s latest TV software, you can now enjoy over 30 of your favourite TV and radio channels in full digital quality absolutely FREE on your PC. The software works like any satellite or cable TV service, with now/next information about programmes, a full seven-day TV and radio guide and easy channel selection. Watch even more TV channels with the Freewire Extra premium TV package. For a small monthly subscription, you can get access to many more channels including E! and MTV, as well as live Premiership and SPL football on Setanta sports. For more information on how to use the service, just refer to the information sheet in your bedroom. Alternatively, visit freewiretv.com
13. How do I get to Bath?
    • Details can be viewed at the travelling to the University of Bath pages.
14. How do I find private-sector housing or temporary short-term accommodation in Bath?
    • Full information can be seen on the private sector pages.
15. Can I bring my car?
    • It is a condition of residence that students do not have the use of, or keep a motor vehicle, in connection with their use of the accommodation. Students living in University Accommodation on or off campus may not park motor vehicles on University property. Failure to meet these obligations may result in the University taking disciplinary action which may include requiring a student to leave University Accommodation.
16. What happens if I want to end my Accommodation Contract early?
    • There is only one automatic release date in the Accommodation contract. Permission to leave the accommodation part way through the licence on 2nd February 2011 will only be granted if six weeks notice is given, deadline 22nd December 2010. A request to leave your place in residence must be made in writing on the appropriate form, which is obtainable from and returned to the Student Accommodation Office in 6 West. To depart on 2nd February 2011 notice must be given by 22nd December 2010. If a student chooses to leave the accommodation at any other time, then he/she will be responsible for the accommodation fees until officially released by the Student Accommodation Office. Please note that these conditions do not apply to students on a Semester One/Semester Two licence.
17. Sending Luggage Ahead?
    • Check the baggage allowance of the airline and insure your belongings against loss or damage. Note that the University cannot accept any responsibility for items sent ahead that are lost or damaged. If forwarding luggage please try to ensure it arrives after you are actually due to arrive in Bath and collect it promptly. We do not have sufficient space to deal with long term storage of luggage. All luggage should be clearly marked with YOUR name and course and room/residence details (if known). If you will be living off-campus address your luggage to: Accommodation Services Centre, Carpenter House, University of Bath, Broad Quay, Bath. BA1 1UB. UK If you will be living on-campus address your luggage to: The Accommodation Mail Room, Westwood University of Bath, Bath. BA2 7AY. UK

Page last updated 2 September 2010 · Contact: acc-web@rt.bath.ac.uk