Postgraduate Students - Frequently Asked Questions

We guarantee to make you an offer of accommodation if you apply by our guarantee deadline and are:

• An unaccompanied* international postgraduate in your first year of study for the full academic year starting in September as a full-time student. Note: You are defined as an international student if you pay international fees.
• An unaccompanied* incoming study abroad or exchange student studying at the University of Exeter for the full academic year starting in September.

*Unaccompanied relates to the student only and not those who wish to live with a partner and/or children.

It is not always possible to allocate you to one of your preferences or within on-campus accommodation. Our guarantee is a guarantee of a bed space, not a particular residence.

This depends on when you will be starting your course. If you are starting in the September/October then please see the relevant section above for more details.

If your course or research period is starting outside of these times then we still welcome your application; please contact us 6-8 weeks before your start date to discuss availability. We are unable to guarantee to be able to make you an offer of accommodation as this will depend on remaining availability at the time.

We have a limited number of flats suitable for couples and so we are unable to guarantee to offer this type of accommodation. The main allocation to this accommodation is for September/October starts, so if you are looking to start a contract outside of this time then it is likely that you will need to secure accommodation within the private sector. Please refer to our dedicated advice for families and couples. 

Postgraduate applications are processed on a first come, first served basis and we will look at an applicant’s residence preferences.

Full details of our room allocation procedure can be found on the room allocation webpage.

If you are applying for accommodation as a new postgraduate student you will be able to select 4 residence preferences on your application form. We will try our best to allocate you to one of your preferences, depending on availability. You can review our allocations procedure online for details of how we allocate each residence.

Contracts for postgraduate residences are 40, 42, 44 and 51 weeks but are specific to the residence you are applying for and cannot be altered.

You do not have to live in University accommodation whilst you are studying at Exeter. Some applicants may find that living in private accommodation offers them greater flexibility and independence. View our private accommodation webpage for more information on shared houses, purpose-built accommodation and lodgings in the city.

This will depend on the contract agreement that you have entered into, so you do need to make sure you fully understand the cancellation and termination policy before you accept the contract.

Remember that applying for accommodation is different from securing accommodation and it is important to understand the point at which you will have entered into a legally binding contract.

If you are allocated to University of Exeter accommodation in Exeter, the Accommodation Terms & Conditions Section 6 explains our policy on termination of the contract. If you decide not to (or are unable to) register for your academic course you are able to be released from your contract and we would ask that you contact us as soon as you make your decision so we can process your request. If you do register for your course then you will be committed to the contract that you have with us.

If you have changed your course start date since applying for accommodation, please see the relevant point in the September/October starters and January starters sections.

If you are staying in INTO accommodation at University of Exeter, please check with the INTO team for their cancellation policy. 

For students studying in Cornwall, please check the details within their accommodation Terms and Conditions.

If you secure accommodation in the private sector in either Exeter or Cornwall, each accommodation agreement will vary and you should clarify with the provider of the accommodation what will happen before you agree to the accommodation contract.

If you are sent an offer of accommodation within a University owned/managed residence then you will be not need to pay a deposit. Once you accept the accommodation offer online you will form a legally binding contract.

If you are sent an offer of accommodation with one of our partner providers then they will contact you with details of their booking process, and any deposit/reservation/prepayment required.

The rent includes:

• Heating, lighting, water & internet
• Cleaning service (levels vary across residences; some exclusions apply – see the residences' pages for more details
• Basic personal effects insurance cover. 

Your accommodation contract will detail the amount required for each instalment. You can view this by logging in to your accommodation account.

Our How to Pay webpage gives information about when to pay your accommodation fees

The University accepts various methods of payment as detailed on the Student Finance webpages.

When you are a registered student, please log an enquiry via SID Online for advice.

It is also recommended that you contact Guild Advice who are able to offer impartial and confidential assistance on a whole range of issues, including housing, finance, and academic related matters.

Exeter has a bustling High Street with many international brands as well as independent shops including a variety of international food shops. There are also a number of large stores in the city centre where you can order items online for collection. These include:

• Argos
• John Lewis
• Marks and Spencer
• Wilko

For more information on shops available in Exeter view the Visit Exeter website.

For information on what to bring with you to accommodation (catered and self-catered) please take a look at the Moving In Checklist 2022. 

If you would like to save yourself having to carry essential items, you can order bedding, kitchen and bathroom items online with UniKitOut and have your items delivered directly to your residence before your arrival. There is a saving of 10% with discount code EXETER10.

There are small supermarkets located in the centre of the Streatham Campus known as the Market Place, as well as other smaller outlets selling essential items in other locations on campus for example at Cornwall House and Birks Grange Village. Exeter city centre is a short walk from either campus where you can find a larger supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer and Iceland. There is a Waitrose store just across the road from St Luke's campus.

Pets are not permitted in University accommodation.

Your personal belongings in your locked rooms are insured and insurance cover is provided in all University owned/managed and approved accommodation by Endsleigh Insurance. Once you have received an offer of accommodation, we advise you to check your policy details and level of insurance cover through Endsleigh either on their website or through the My Endsleigh app to find out if you need to extend the cover for valuable items such as laptops, cameras, musical instruments, mobile phones and bicycles.

It is important to find out exactly what you are covered for as you may find that the contents cover is not sufficient and you need to extend it to protect all of your possessions. Find out more on the Residence Information page under the Insurance section.

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.

Guests of students living in University residences may enter halls, however, they 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 Management Team via accommodation-guest@exeter.ac.uk, who will take into account fire and safety implications and, in shared rooms, the interests of your roommate. Visitors may not stay overnight for more than three consecutive nights. The Residence Management Team will withdraw permission for guests to remain if their behaviour is deemed antisocial or unacceptable in any way.

Please note that overnight guests need to be over 18. Permission will not be given for overnight guests over Arrivals Weekend or during Welcome Week.

Students should note the conditions in Visitors of the Terms and Conditions of Residence. Residents wishing to have a guest should provide the following information:

• Student name and student ID number
• Residence - building, block, flat number and room number
• Arrival date
• Departure date
• Confirmation that the guest is over 18

If you live in a self catered residence your contract runs right through the Christmas and Easter holiday periods so you are able to leave your belongings in your room until the end of your contract.

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to provide storage facilities at the University however, a number of local companies offer storage solutions:

• Dainton Self Storage
• Ease The Squeeze
• Edward Baden Student Service
• HouseIt
• Safe Store
• Student Storage Box
• Stuff 2 Move
• Westcountry Storage Solutions

For more information, please contact your residence reception who will be able to assist you.

Disclaimer: this information is for reference only; these companies are in no way affiliated with the University. The University cannot be held responsible for the quality of service they provide.

When you are completing your online application you will be asked 'Do you know where you will be staying in the UK?'. If you don't know your university accommodation details yet, then you can tick 'No' and then should explain in the free text box that you have applied for university accommodation.

You may also wish to refer to the university’s step-by-step visa application form guide.