Frequently asked questions
If you can't find the answer you are looking for please don't hesitate to contact the Accommodation team on 01392 722524 or email us at sid@exeter.ac.uk.
All students
- What is my University of Exeter student ID number?
- What is my room number?
- How big will my room be?
- Will there be a washbasin in my room?
- What is a kitchen and/or bedding pack?
- What if I am on holiday when you offer me accommodation?
- Is there a telephone and data point in my room?
- Can I bring a TV?
- Can I bring pets?
- Are my belongings insured?
- Is there a parking space for my car?
- Can I have a guest to stay?
- Can I move to a different room?
- Is there a supermarket nearby?
- What should I do if I have problems paying my fees?
- How much should I pay and when?
- What time is the Accommodation Office open?
- Can I move in early?
- Can I stay in my accommodation during the Christmas, Easter and Summer vacation?
- Can I store by belongings over the Christmas and Easter vacation periods?
- Is there any storage available within the University?
- What are the alternatives to University accommodation?
- What if this FAQ does not answer my question?
Undergraduate only
- Why can't I apply for accommodation?
- When will I receive an offer of accommodation?
- Can I have a single room in catered halls?
- I have got a place at Exeter through my insurance offer or clearing. What should I do about accommodation?
Postgraduate only
Q. What is my University of Exeter student ID number?
A. Your nine digit university ID number is provided to you once you have firmly accepted your offer of an academic place.
You will need your University of Exeter Student ID Number to be able to apply for accommodation (a nine digit number beginning with five or six) and this will be provided in the further information the University sends to you after you firmly accept our offer of an academic place. For undergraduate students, this is a different number from your UCAS number. For enrolled students, this is the number shown on your University card.
Q. What is my room number?
A. You can find out your room number once you have completed the University registration online process in mid September.
Q. How big will my room be?
A. In particular residences, room sizes vary considerably. A guide will be given on the individual residences pages. Please also visit the virtual tours for further details.
Q. Will there be a washbasin in my room?
A. The majority of standard study bedrooms have washbasins, whilst all ensuite rooms will have a washbasin. For further information, please refer to the individual residences pages.
Q. What is a Starter pack?
A. If you are applying for a self-catered residence, you can order a starter pack [external link] for an additional charge which will be provided when you arrive. It includes useful kitchen and bedding items such as pots, cutlery and sheets so you do not have to bring them with you.
Q. What if I am on holiday when you offer me accommodation?
A. If you are allocated University owned or managed accommodation you will receive an email asking you to log onto the website to review the offer made to you online. Our online services enable you to access and accept the accommodation contract anywhere in the world.
If you are nominated to Northfield, you will receive an email from the Accommodation Office informing you that the private provider will be contacting you with regards to the contract by either email or post.
Q. Is there a telephone and data point in my room?
A. Telephones are not provided in University accommodation.
Q. Can I bring a TV?
A. The University does not provide aerial sockets in every student bedroom, however, an internet connection is available in every study bedroom, providing access to Freewire TV via students' computers, so in most cases it is not necessary to bring a TV to university.
You may bring a television for your communal area if you have one, however, you will need to purchase a valid TV licence. Please see the TV Licensing site for more details. Please note that if you intend to watch live television via your computer, you will also require a TV licence.
Q. Are my belongings insured?
A. Your personal belongings in your locked rooms are insured. We would advise you to check the details of the contents insurance in full as you may wish to extend the benefits provided to include cover for valuable items such as laptops, cameras, musical instruments, bikes and mobile phones. Details of our insurance provider will be available in July.
Q. Is there a parking space for my car?
A. The University has a Sustainable Travel Plan and actively seeks to encourage green travel. In line with this, there is no parking available on either the Streatham or St Luke's campuses (including Rowancroft) for resident students.
Q. Can I have a guest to stay?
A. Guests of members of catered halls and self-catered residences may enter halls up to 11.30 pm, but thereafter guests must be accompanied by a member of the residence. There must not be more than four visitors/guests in the accommodation at any time.
Any student wishing to have overnight guests must seek permission, in writing, from the Resident Support Team, who must take due account of fire and safety implications and, in shared rooms, of the interests of your room mate. Resident Support Team members and Residence Managers will withdraw permission for guests to remain if their behaviour is deemed antisocial or unacceptable in any way.
Q. Can I move to a different room?
A. After the first two weeks of the academic year, you may move rooms within University owned and managed accommodation if rooms become available. However, there is an administration charge of £40.00. Priority is given to student with medical or welfare issues in the first instance. You are advised to speak to the Accommodation Office and Residence Life teams after arrival. Students in Northfield are able to move within that residence if rooms become available.
Q. What should I do if I have problems paying my fees?
A. Please contact the Student Fees Office for advice via sid@exeter.ac.uk.
It is also recommended that you contact the Students’ Guild Advice Unit at studentadvice@exeter.ac.uk who are able to offer impartial and confidential assistance on a whole range of issues, including housing, finance, and academic related matters.
Q. Is there a supermarket nearby?
A. There is a small supermarket located in the centre of the Streatham Campus and the St Luke's Campus, as well as other smaller outlets selling essential items in other locations on campus. Exeter City Centre is a short walk from either campus where you can find a larger supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and Iceland.
Q. How much should I pay and when?
A. In University owned/managed accommodation, the majority of students pay termly and the amount is stated on your accommodation agreement. If you have paid your £300 deposit you can reduce the second and third terms' accommodation charge by £150. If you wish to pay the whole year in advance, please remember to deduct the amount of your deposit from your total charges due. If you are unsure of how much your accommodation charges are please refer to your online contract.
The University accepts various methods of payment, as detailed on the Student Finance webpages.
For nominated residences, payments will be made to the company issuing the contract and you should refer to information provided with your contract for details of amount due and how and when to make these payments.
Q. What time is the Accommodation Office open?
A. The Accommodation Office is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. This office deals with catered and self-catered University accommodation and private sector housing in Exeter, including short term accommodation for PGCE students. If you wish to visit in person, we are based on the ground floor in Northcote House.
Q. Can I move in early?
A. With over 5000 students arriving in our arrival period, we have staggered arrivals to ease congestion both in the city and on the campuses. We are currently finalising plans for arrivals over the weekend prior to Welcome Week starting on Monday 17 September 2012. Further information will be available on this website during the summer period.
Arrival any earlier than Welcome Week may be possible in extenuating circumstances.
We recommend you read the Early Arrival Guidelines before you enquire. If you have any further questions, please contact the Accommodation Office for advice.
Q. Can I stay in my accommodation during the Christmas, Easter and Summer vacation?
A. You may stay in your room for the full period stated on your accommodation agreement.
If you have a catered 32 week contract you do not pay for accommodation over Christmas and Easter vacations and may not reside in them for these periods.
If you require accommodation over the vacation periods please contact the Accommodation Office as we may be able to accommodate you in self catered accommodation. Alternatively, visit our short term and holiday page or our private sector page if you require temporary accommodation.
If you have a self catered 40, 42, 44 or 51 week contract you may stay in your room for the full period stated on your accommodation agreement. Summer vacation accommodation may be available on application. Alternatively, if your accommodation agreement length has expired, please make enquiries at the Accommodation Office for possible vacancies.
Q. Can I store my belongings over the Christmas & Easter vacation periods?
A. If you become a resident of catered accommodation, you may leave your belongings in your room over the Christmas vacation.
If you become a resident of St Luke’s, Holland or Mardon Halls, you will be required to move your belongings out in the Easter vacation. There may be a possibility of limited storage facilities over the Easter vacation but priority would be given to international students. Please speak to staff at your particular residence once you have arrived for further information.
If you live in a self catered residence your contract runs right through these 2 vacations periods.
Q. Is there any storage available within the University?
A. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide storage facilities at the University however, the residence reception will be able to assist you to find information about local companies providing storage facilities.
Q. What are the alternatives to University accommodation?
A. The Accommodation Office will be able to give you information about accommodation in the private sector. Lists of bed & breakfast accommodation, lodgings and private sector housing are available. Please see our section on private sector accommodation for further information.
Q. What if this FAQ does not answer my question?
A. If we have not answered your question here, please contact us with your query so that we can help you.
Q. Why can't I apply for accommodation?
A. It may take up to two days for your information to be transferred to our system after you have firmly accepted your offer at the University of Exeter. If after two days you still cannot apply, please contact us.
Q. When will I receive an offer of accommodation?
A. The allocation of rooms will be made once the offer of a place becomes Unconditional Firm which is usually after the results of the A levels in late August. Please note an early application is advisable so that we have your information ready for when offers become Unconditional. If you are allocated accommodation which is University owned or managed you will receive an offer online. If you are nominated to Northfield, you will be contacted by the private provider. Unfortunately we cannot inform you of your offer of accommodation over the telephone.
If you deferred your entry, an early application is advisable as an offer of accommodation will be made around June/July.
Q. Can I have a single room in catered halls?
A. The majority of our rooms are single. Within catered halls of residence there are a number of twin rooms. As well as the economical benefit, we spend a lot of time allocating students to twin rooms with similar interests so it is extremely likely that you can make a friend for life. You can state in the note section if you would prefer to share a room. Please note we cannot guarantee a single or shared room.
Q. I have got a place at Exeter through my insurance offer or clearing. What should I do about accommodation?
A. If Exeter is your insurance choice, you can apply online for accommodation once your place is confirmed in August. We will offer you any rooms that may be available with the University residences. If we do not have any vacancies we will offer you advice and assistance on finding alternative accommodation.
Q. Why can't I apply for accommodation?
A. It may take up to two days for your information to be transferred to our system after you have firmly accepted your offer at the University of Exeter. Please note if you are an International student, you have to pay the University deposit for your offer to become firm which can take up to ten days from receipt of payment. If you are unable to activate your account on your first visit; please wait two days and then try again. If you are then unable to use the on-line application process, please contact us.
Q. When will I receive an offer of accommodation?
A. The allocation of rooms will be made once the offer of a place becomes Firm. If you are allocated accommodation which is University owned or managed you will receive an offer online. If you are nominated to Northfield, you will be contacted by the private provider. For data protection issues, your offer will be sent via our online services and details will not be given over the telephone.
If you deferred your entry, an early application is advisable as an offer of accommodation will be made around June/July in the year you are coming to University.
