Going to University can be a daunting experience, for both students and parents! Ensuring that you select the correct accommodation for you can be vitally important to your university experience. There isn’t an easy answer as to which accommodation is the best, as it will vary from person to person. Comparing the different options available to you, and making an informed decision will lead to a richer, more enjoyable university experience, so don’t just choose one at random!
Before you begin to choose your accommodation there are a couple of questions that you need to ask yourself. Self-catered or catered? Near the city, or closer to the campus? Do you want a room with an en-suite, or are you happy with a shared bathroom? These are all important questions that will need to be considered before choosing an accommodation.
Some halls offer part-catered services, meaning that during term time 2 of your meals a day are included in the rent price. Breakfast, and then a main meal later in the day are offered at Wessex Lane and Highfield halls only, so if this is something that appeals to you you’re your choices will be more limited, so be sure to keep this in mind. Self-catered halls all feature communal kitchen spaces, which will depend on the halls, and number of people in the flat.
If you’d like to be closer to the city centre, then there are a few halls that you could choose from. Archers Road, and Mayflower are both self-catered and very close to the city centre, with regular buses to the different university campuses. Both of these halls include a room with an en suite, which may also be something that you are interested in.
If you are looking for a vibrant, social scene, then one of the larger accommodations may be right for you, as there may be more opportunities to meet more people. Some of the larger halls are Wessex Lane, Glen Eyre and Mayflower. If you would like a quieter halls of residence, then a smaller accommodation may be better for you, such as Archers road and Highfield Halls.
If you are studying at Winchester School of Art, which is part of Southampton University, then staying at Erasmus Park or Riverside Way are your best options, as these are both located close to the school of art. Both of these accommodations are en-suite, with Riverside Way also having the options of studio flats, which are slightly more expensive.; Riverside Way in general is a premium accommodation, and is therefore more expensive. Pricing is something that should be considered when deciding on which halls is best for you.
The wide range of accommodation available at Southampton University means that there is something for everybody. Doing your research will really pay off when it comes to deciding on the best accommodation for you, to ensure you have the best possible experience whilst at university.
