Tips on Choosing Accommodation at the University of Chester

Choosing your accommodation can seem like a daunting task. Everything you read and see lists so much information; this can be overwhelming and difficult to understand. Here are my five tips on what to consider when you’re making that all-important choice; follow these handy tips and hopefully you’ll love your accommodation just as much as you love the University of Chester!

Tip One – What Facilities Are Important to You?

At the University of Chester, there is a wide range of accommodation options with varying facilities on offer. There are options with ensuite bathrooms, shared bathrooms, shared kitchens and there are also individual studio flats. If you have accessibility needs, the University's Disability and Inclusion team can advise on suitable accommodation types, so there's an option to suit everyone. You should consider which facilities are most important to you, whether you enjoy your own space and would feel most at home in a studio flat, or whether you are happy to share facilities with others. The idea of cooking at university can be daunting for some, so make sure you think about whether a catered option would be the best fit for you.     

Tip Two – Consider the Location of Your Campus and Accommodation

In your first year, you can opt to live in on-campus or off-campus accommodation. As such, the accommodation on offer is spread all around the city, spanning from directly on the Exton Park campus all the way up to the city centre. When making your choice, it is important to think about which campus you will be studying at, and how you will get there. For example, if you’re studying at Wheeler, you may wish to apply for an accommodation option close to the city centre, so that you have a shorter walk to the campus.  

Tip three – Can You Afford it?

There are accommodation options that fit into every price range. When you apply for accommodation, you should consider the cost to ensure that it is affordable and within your budget.

Tip four – Will Your Accommodation Suit Your Lifestyle?

When choosing your accommodation, something you should think about is your lifestyle. There are options with gyms on site for someone who enjoys an active lifestyle, as well as options for a quieter lifestyle, where there is no alcohol and silent hours. Make sure you take your lifestyle into consideration to ensure sure you’ll be happy with your choice. And when you get here, be sure to get in touch with Student Services’ Residential Life team, as they’ll help you get the most out of your University accommodation.  

Tip five – What About the Social Atmosphere?

If you like to socialise, you may wish to consider accommodation close to the Exton Park campus, to place you within walking distance of the Chester Students’ Union bar, society meetings and events. Some accommodation options have shared social areas for all who live there, so you might like to consider whether this is something you would use or enjoy.

My personal experience

When I was looking at University accommodation, I chose Tudor Place. Tudor Place is a partnership accommodation located on Liverpool Road, which is a ten-minute walk from the Exton Park campus. I chose this accommodation due to its proximity to where my lectures would be, and the fact that it was self-catering as I love cooking! I enjoyed my time in Tudor Place, and I made the most of the facilities like the gym, movie room and social space. These facilities enabled me to meet friends, and they’re a great place to relax after my Primary Education (5-11) with QTS – Teacher Education lectures.  I would definitely recommend Tudor Place as an option for your accommodation!

Hopefully, this blog has offered you some guidance and reassurance when it comes to making your accommodation choice. To make sure the accommodation you choose is right for you, spend time researching all the accommodation options. That way, you’ll feel at home and comfortable wherever you live.