Scraptoft campus halls (Halls Of Residence At De Montfort University)

Member Name: LouisaNott

Product:	Halls Of Residence At De Montfort University
Date:	10/02/02 (600 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: On campus, Cheap

Disadvantages: Dining scheme, generally shabby and uninviting, lack of privacy

Before you start reading this opinion, I should let you know that this opinion is ONLY about the halls of residence in DeMontfort Leicester Scraptoft campus. I went for an interview there, and had to make a decision between a course there and a course in Birmingham, and decided against DeMontfort on the basis of two issues, totally unrelated to the course.

The halls of residence at Scraptoft seem OK on the outside, a little grey and elderly, but nonetheless nicer than many halls I've seen in the past. Also, the rent is cheap, at £61 per week with food. "With food"? I hear you say. No, it's not written anywhere in the prospectus that food is included, and you have to participate in the dining scheme they offer- breakfast and evening meals Monday to Friday. Now I love cooking, and would be very unhappy being catered for, and as such, was a bit disgruntled that we hadn't been told about this earlier. It's not exactly honest of the University.

Other little things about the halls are a little odd. Like no carpets on the floors, and it's really REALLY hot in there. Bearing in mind that I was there at the start of February and it was stifling in there due to boilers and heating cupboards and the like, I thought it was rediculous. The kitchens are tiny, really really small, well equipped, but small. I suppose this is because you don't relaly cook for yourself there.

I found it odd that many of the bedrooms were empty when I went to see them, and they weren't exactly very homely. You have to provide your own bedding, which is fine, and you are responsible for cleaning your own room. The rooms have a desk, wardrobe and chest of drawers which are all of fine quality. All in all, the rooms would be OK, if a little small, with the help of some posters and rugs.

Now here's the reason why I'm not going to go there.

THERE AREN'T ANY DOORS ON THE SHOWERS.

Yes, I was a bit surpri
sed too. There are flimsy little shower curtains infront of the showers, and there is no way I would be happy with that. I know it sounds silly, but it's a good basis for making a decision about which Uni to go to. I'd be unhappy in the halls almost purely due to the dining scheme and the showers!

Their argument for the men not peeking round the curtains is that they live downstairs and the girls are upstairs. Like that would stop them. I know students, I've been one for 4 years!

All in all, I didn't like the halls at Scraptoft, but there is always the option of living off campus, or even in the city centre halls if you really wanted to avoid them.

Summary: