Catered / self catering Halls at Universities

[BackforGood]

Been on my first University open day to day (to take ds, not thinking of going myself ) and was stunned that to stay in the catered halls they showed us (there were a range of different ones, but just looking at the ones they showed us) cost £5,400 per year, but to stay in the self catered ones only "saved" you £900 at £4500 for the year.

Is this common ? We (and ds) had assumed he would be able to pay considerable less for self-catering, but I can't see the £900 'saving' covering his food for the 39 weeks they said they catered for (which I though odd in itself, as no Universities do as many weeks as schools, but that's another thought altogether).

Anyone mind sharing what they/their dcs are paying, and what they get for that (to be fair, these were en-suite rooms, but not in London or the SE)

My eldest two have just gone to their freshers week, in the last few days. At two separate unis.

I've not fretted no, should I have? Why? Cos the bog roll wasn't cushioned?

And thankfully your book means nowt to me, but thanks anyway, you've given me a good laugh.

glad to have been of service

I for one am glad that this thread has been here. Caring about the first few months at home from home seems a good thing for mumsnet folk to consider.

I was all for catered (my experience) for social reasons but am thinking self-catering may not be all bad - have to do some of thinking through for my DC as we have the experience and leaving home is not always plain sailing. It's called empathetic parenting in my world!!