Halls, Halls, Halls (Halls Of Residence At The University Of Surrey)

Member Name: SomethingToBe

Product:	Halls Of Residence At The University Of Surrey
Date:	10/02/09 (380 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Depends on the court!

Disadvantages: As above

Reading the reciews on this subject, I noticed that the newest review was from 2002 and the most expensive rent band was £65 per week!!! So I thought it about time this got some updating.

Rent now ranges from £54.30 for a duplex room to £115 for the top band. The rent is charged weekly (although collected monthly) and includes all bills (gas/elec, water, internet). The only added bill you need to pay for is if you require a TV licence. Cleaners come in 2/3 times a week to take rubbish and clean the kitchen and bathrooms however students have to clean their own bedrooms.

The rent bands are:
A- £54.30
B- £69
C-£76
D- £94
E- £115

Stag Hill:
Stag Hill rooms are either shared (band A) or single rooms (band C) and the floors sleep 10; however a bathroom is shared between two rooms. It is situated right by the Union and Chancellor's pub, so is in a very noisy part of campus. This is one of the older halls so rooms and kitchens are fairly run down, but fully equipped.

Battersea Court:
Battersea rooms are in band C and are in a great central location. This can be noisy if you are right on the footpaths, however most of the blocks are set back so noise is not an issue. There are 14 rooms that share a large kitchen, 2 showers and 3 toilets. Each room has its own sink. Battersea blocks have recently had the windows and carpets updated and are a popular choice with students

Bellerby Court:
Bellerby rooms are in rent band D, which means they are en-suite- however they are a mile away from campus. This court is situated near the hospital and tesco, so is handy for shopping (and emergencies!) but not so for coming back from the union! Floors are in rooms of 6. This is one of the newer courts and so has modern features.

Cathedral Court:
These are the halls I lived in, so could probably talk the most about! The rooms are in rent band C and each floor has 7 rooms, each with its own sink. There are 2 toilets and 2 showers between the rooms. However, the kitchen is tiny, no more than 2 people can be in there comfortably at a time and this means there is no communcal place to hang out in these halls, making it less sociable than others. The location is right by the library, but this isnt so handy for first years as it is the other side of campus from the union and town! The bedrooms are the biggest of any halls though.

Guildford Court:
One of the oldest accommodation blocks, Guildford court is in band B. Floors are of 14 with 3 toilets 2 showers and a bath (although I don't think people use the bath!). The rooms are tiny, but do have their own sink and the kitchen is massive. This court is situated right on the edge of campus, well away from anything so is very quiet.

Hazel Farm:
Hazel farm rooms are either in rent band A (no sink) or b (with sink). This court is one of the oldest, and situated 3 miles from campus, although there is a free bus service to and from. There is also no cleaner in these halls. The bedrooms are of an average size but look like cells, and the kitchen is fairly small. Students are always complaining about Hazel Farm so my recommendation would be to steer clear if you can!

Manor Park:
The newest court, manor park rooms are either rent band D or E, depending on the size of bedroom you want. All are en-suite. Manor park is situated about 20 mins walk away from the main campus although buses are subsidised, it can feel a bit isolated. The building are very modern and have lifts as well as stairs. Floors areshared between 6 and 8 rooms, depending on the block.

Surrey Court:
Essentially the same as Battersea court. Floors are shared between 14 and have 2 showers and 3 toilets. Also in the same part of campus. However, half of the rooms have recently been refurbished, meaning rent comes in both bands B and C, depending what block you get.

Twyford Court:
In band D, meaning en-suites, Twyford floors contain 12 rooms and have a very large kitchen. This court is situated on the edge of campus meaning it is fairly quiet, although you can often hear trains come past, as it is adjacent to the railway line. The buildings are modern and are probably the most attractive looking of all the halls.

University Court:
These hall are either shared flats of 4 (band C) or en-suite flats of 10 (band 10). The shared flats do not have sinks, however have 2 toilets and showers ebtween 4 people. The kitchens are obviously larger in the en-suite flats, however are of a decent size in the shared flats too. The rooms are also a good size. This is on the noisier side of campus however and is right opposite chancellors and the union.

First year students are guaranteed a place in halls and thirs year students are likely to get a place also. However, the years are always mixed, which doesnt really suit the students- as a general rule freshers will go out more, whilst final years have more work, so will need to focus. This is the reason I chose to stay off campus in my final year. All courts are in a reasonably good condition however, so wherever you are placed should be ok.

Recommendation:

It depends on the budget, however I think Twyford are the nicest blocks. If this is out of the budget I would recommend University Court.

Summary: Average Accommodation