A deep clean is hard work. I have got caught out a couple of times by tenants thinking they could move and clean on the same day, leaving me to have to work overnight so that the place was presentable for tenants moving in the next day. Unless you are sure that everyone is on board and also knows what to do, it is worth getting someone in.
There is quite a lot of mould in DDs flat. She was the first to move in and it was filthy so we cleaned it. It suits us this time to be in Bristol for the couple of days before the end of the tenancy, so rather than risk losing the deposit (the landlord is odd but the flat was miraculously cheap and well located) she suggested to flatmates that they either move out a day earlier or join in the clean. One flatmate took up the offer and her mum, who is down to collect her things, will also join in, so it wont be too bad. Windows, and ovens take time, and a mouldy bathroom effectively needs to be scrubbed. No point in having a deep clean as the carpet has not been cleaned for decades, and would probably fall apart. it would certainly be a different colour.
I liked the Young Ones flat, though DH, who went to Oxford, was horrified. In my day students lived in squats, grotty halls, or seedy flats above shops, and this is no worse. Next year is a whole different proposition. A lovely flat with ultra organised landlords who will only let to medics. DD starts her clinical years so probably right she leaves student grot behind. Even though it seems to have been a really happy year.
Only one short practical exam, next week, and she is on the first year of her course so no one is sure what it will contain. It appears that she will be examined on the work she did this year at the end of next, so she has been revising everything anyway. She will be pleased when the humanities finish, as the library closures have meant a real struggle to find space.