Frequently asked questions
If you can't find the answer you are looking for please contact the Accommodation team on 08444 724724 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 is the Student Accommodation Code?
- Can I find you on Facebook?
- What if this FAQ does not answer my question?
Q. What is my University of Exeter student ID number?
A. Your nine digit university ID number is provided when you firmly accept your offer of an academic place.
You will need your University of Exeter Student ID Number to apply for accommodation (a nine digit number beginning with five or six). This is in the further information the University sends to you after you firmly accept our offer of an academic place.
For new 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 when you have completed the University's online registration process in mid September.
Q. How big will my room be?
A. In some residences room sizes vary considerably. A guide is given on the individual residences pages. Please also see our virtual tours.
Q. Will there be a washbasin in my room?
A. The majority of standard student study bedrooms have washbasins. All en-suite rooms have a washbasin. For more information please browse the residences' web pages.
Q. What is a starter pack?
A. If you are applying for a self-catered residence you can order a starter pack from Click2Campus [external link] for an additional charge. It includes 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. All rooms have either data points or, in some smaller residences, a wireless internet connection.
Q. Can I bring a TV?
A. The University does not provide aerial sockets in every student bedroom. But there are internet connections in every study bedroom giving access to Freewire TV, so in most cases it is not necessary to bring a TV.
You may bring a television for your communal area if you have one, but you will need to purchase a TV licence. Please see the TV Licensing site for more details. Please note that if you intend to watch live television on your computer you will need 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 students living in catered halls and self-catered residences may enter halls up to 23.30, 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 Residence Life Team, who must take account of fire and safety implications and, in shared rooms, of the interests of your room mate. Residence Life 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 can move rooms within University accommodation if a room is available. There is an administration charge of £45.00.
Priority is given to students 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 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 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 9:00 to 17:00 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 make an appointment with an accommodation adviser please contact the Student Information Desk in the Forum either in person or via MyExeter.
Q. Can I move in early?
A. With more than 5,500 students arriving over Freshers' Week we have staggered arrivals to ease congestion both in the city and on the campuses. We are finalising plans for arrivals over the weekend prior to Freshers' Week starting on Monday 17 September 2012. Further information will be available on this website over the summer period.
Arrival any earlier than Freshers' 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 live in catered student accommodation you can leave your belongings in your room over the Christmas vacation.
If you live in St Luke’s, Holland or Mardon Halls, you will have to move your belongings out in the Easter holidays. 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 residence for further information.
If you live in a self catered residence your contract runs right through these two holiday 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 can give you information about accommodation in the private sector. Lists of bed and breakfast accommodation, lodgings and private sector student housing are available. Please see our section on private sector accommodation for more information.
Q. What is the Student Accommodation Code?
A. The Student Accommodation Code was introduced in 2006 by Universities UK and GuildHE. It protects your right to safe, good quality accommodation, wherever you study and outlines everything you can expect from your accommodation as well as your responsibilities as a tenant.
Q. Can I find you on Facebook?
A. Yes! Our residences have their own Facebook pages, as follows [all links are external]:
Birks Grange Village and Duryard
Clydesdale Court, Rise and Nash Grove
Lafrowda, Rowe House and St German's
St David's and King Edward Street
St Luke's Halls (including Rowancroft)
Q. What if this FAQ does not answer my question?
A. If we have not answered your question here please contact us.
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. Rooms will be allocated when the offer of a place becomes Unconditional Firm. This is usually after A level results in late August. Early application is advisable so we have your information ready for when offers become Unconditional.
If you are allocated University accommodation you will receive an offer online. If you are nominated to Northfield you will be contacted by the private provider.
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 student 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. In catered halls of residence there are a number of twin rooms. Besides the economical benefit we allocate students with similar interests to twin rooms, so it is likely you will make a friend for life.
You can state in the notes section of your application if you would prefer to share a room. Please note we cannot guarantee a single or shared room.
Q. What is a dedicated quiet block?
A. For undergraduate students, we have set aside Lydford at St German's for those who prefer to live in a quieter living environment within the block. Our Residence Life Team will work with residents to ensure that noise within the block is kept to a minimum.
The location of Lydford is in a quieter area of Campus however, there will still be external noise which may not be able to be controlled. Undergraduate students who wish to live in this block should indicate this during their application.
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 when 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 when the offer of a place becomes firm. If you are allocated University student accommodation you will receive an offer online.
If you are nominated to Northfield you will be contacted by the private provider. For data protection reasons 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.
