Halls of Residence

[Imhotep]

Hi,

Hopefully some kind student who has stayed in the halls can provide a bit of advice.

I'm a GEP (or MBBS4 as I think the official term is) student starting in September (still doesn't seem real, but then it won't until I'm actually there) who's seriously considering the Halls (as in, I'm 99% sure I'm going to stay there for a variety of reasons, even though I don't know any more about them than what's on the website - and that's not much).

Basically I was wondering how it worked - are you only allowed to stay there during term time and have to pack up your stuff and live in a cardboard box (ok, most students will probably go home outside term time, but as an old git home is where I am - although I could impose myself on my family if I really had to)? Is is possible to pay extra and stay over the holidays, or should I be keeping an eye out for a weather-resistant cardboard box?

Thanks

Stephen

[TXelco]

You sign an Accommodation Licence for 42 weeks including the Christmas and Easter Vacations and must pay for the whole 42 weeks unless you can find a suitable replacement student to take up your tenancy.

I found that on the Geroge's 'Accomodation' section of their website. I'm not a student there yet (but come September!), so i could be wrong, but that quote would lead me to believe it is possible to stay in the Halls during vacation periods. Also, there is a variable amount of week you can pay for. It's either 42 or 46, so the 46 option may cover holiday breaks.

Of course, this information is just speculation. Information from an actual student would be most appreciated, as i would like clarification too.

[Dick Cheney]

The rental agreement for Horton Halls includes Christmas and Easter holidays.

Overall, the halls are good standard accommodation: they are clean and new, security is good, the rooms are pleasant (with en suite shower) and the kitchens large and well equipped.

Sometimes noise from the adjacent building site has been deafening, but hopefully this will be finished by the time you move in. The halls don't have a full internet service, which is disappointing for med. school supposedly embracing health informatics. There is only limited web browsing - things like youtube and some e-journals don't work properly, and itunes and many messaging services are blocked. Some people have bought wireless broadband dongles to get round this.

[Imhotep]

Originally Posted by TXelco

I found that on the Geroge's 'Accomodation' section of their website.

How I missed that I don't know - I had thought I'd read that web page and even recognised the information on either side of the paragraph...

I think the 42 and 46 is probably for to the MBBS5 and MBBS4 respectively, since from what I've read the GEP year is slightly longer (in first year anyway) than the 5-year course.

Originally Posted by Dick Cheney

The rental agreement for Horton Halls includes Christmas and Easter holidays.

Overall, the halls are good standard accommodation: they are clean and new, security is good, the rooms are pleasant (with en suite shower) and the kitchens large and well equipped.

Thanks for the info - it is reassuring to know that the accomodation is good (albeit that the internet situation sounds rather rubbish).


I now feel quite reassured about the whole accomodation situation - so thank you both. I must, however, try to actually read things properly in future!

Stephen

[Jul!eT]

Since we're on the subject, one more question please...? What if I move in the halls and then find a different place to stay - say a house closer to the university or a place that my kids can come and stay too when they visit. Will I be able to move out mid-year or do I have to stay (pay) the whole 42 - 46 weeks?

[Dick Cheney]

Jul!eT, check with the accommodation office at SGUL - they are normally very helpful.

Imhotep, yes the internet here is a real pain, so much so that I would have looked at private accommodation if I'd known beforehand.

[Jul!eT]

Originally Posted by Dick Cheney

Jul!eT, check with the accommodation office at SGUL - they are normally very helpful.

Thanks, I know I'll do that eventually, I was just thinking it might be too early to ask for such info, they might think I'm crazy or obsessed or something.

The fact is I do need to know though... I'll be moving countries and quitting my job so I'd need to have something more concrete than a conditional offer to start the procedures as soon as possible. I still haven't heard anything from them since my offer and I'm beginning to wonder if I should start bugging them or wait patiently for them to contact me and run the risk of looking for last minute plane tickets and sleeping under a bridge for a few days until everything gets sorted out...

[Imhotep]

Originally Posted by Jul!eT

Since we're on the subject, one more question please...? What if I move in the halls and then find a different place to stay - say a house closer to the university or a place that my kids can come and stay too when they visit. Will I be able to move out mid-year or do I have to stay (pay) the whole 42 - 46 weeks?

From what I've been able to find on the webpage it seems you have to pay for all 42-46 weeks unless you can find someone to take your place in the halls:

You sign an Accommodation Licence for 42 weeks including the Christmas and Easter Vacations and must pay for the whole 42 weeks unless you can find a suitable replacement student to take up your tenancy.

From: http://www.sgul.ac.uk/index.cfm?6C7D...7-29B5240FFFC0

I, too, am waiting impatiently to hear something beyond the conditional offer (I am not a criminal nor do I have any medical condition I am aware of - unless mild hayfever precludes one from becoming a doctor). I'm probably going to wait until mid-May and then get in touch - I think that by then all the offers through UCAS will have to be made and then hopefully they'll be less busy and I'll not feel as bad about bothering them!

Stephen

[Dick Cheney]

[JH]

These new halls looks pretty sweet compared to the old Grove