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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Exeter University accommodation

33 replies

MrsMiaWallis · 01/12/2020 22:34

Dd is sure she wants to go to Exeter University and got a good, lowish, achievable offer yesterday.

Does anyone have any knowledge or recommendations about first year accommodation? Obviously she hasn't been able to go and see any. Any halls that are particularly nice?

OP posts:
MrsEricBana · 02/12/2020 07:31

Hi, Well done to your dd on her offer! She needs to choose between catered and self catered and then go from there. Would she be on the main Streatham Campus? If yes, self catered wise, a very popular choice is Lafrowda - huge, central, on the town side of campus so good for campus and town. New Lafrowda better than old apparently. I also hear good things about Rowe House - next to Lafrowda, older, lower rise, friendly, big rooms - and also "Penny C" (Pennsylvania Court). Any of these would be excellent choices. Birks Grange Village (flats & townhouses) are supposed to be be good but are down a big hill on the side of campus furthest from town, which could be less good.
Catered wise, the fancier, expensive one is Holland Hall.

Original poster
MrsMiaWallis · 02/12/2020 07:58

Thank you! Yes, on the Streatham campus. I will check with her about catered or non catered.

OP posts:
MrsEricBana · 02/12/2020 08:09

They seem to love self catered as it gives them loads of options, to fit in with their own dietary needs and wants, and also timings (if you have a lot of labs or sports commitments it can be better not to be tied to dining times). Also the big plus of self catering is you have the social aspect of the kitchen group, which has been invaluable during this odd lockdown term and lifelong friendships have been formed.

MrsEricBana · 02/12/2020 08:12

Also, bit more expensive, but I'd definitely go for ensuite as has been invaluable during the pandemic.

Original poster
MrsMiaWallis · 02/12/2020 08:34

Good advice. She enjoys cooking and is a bit fussy, so self catering seems more sensible. The social aspect of catered looks fun though.

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ImAKaren · 02/12/2020 08:41

I definitely think Uni has been easier and more social this term for those in self-catered en-suite and I would encourage you to go for that if you can, in case Covid is still around in September. Also, look for larger flat sizes - they can be chaotic but there's more chance of finding someone you really hit it off with in a flat of 8 or 10 than a flat of 4.
Some of the halls at Exeter - I'm not sure which - have a reputation of being very public school so that's another thing to think about.

CherryPavlova · 02/12/2020 08:43

Ours went for Penny C and had great fun. Moaned about the cleaner, but otherwise no complaints at all.

ellesbellesxxx · 02/12/2020 08:56

Rowe house is more for second/final year students, it’s fab but I was there in final year and I don’t recall meeting any first years. Duryard/birks are the most popular (only a few mins walk away, yes uphill although this is fab on way home!) followed by the Exeter halls... although the Exeter Halls often were for room mates.
Lafrowda nice but not popular for first years.

Sigh... I loved Exeter! Good luck to your Dd!

rbe78 · 02/12/2020 09:07

@ImAKaren

I definitely think Uni has been easier and more social this term for those in self-catered en-suite and I would encourage you to go for that if you can, in case Covid is still around in September. Also, look for larger flat sizes - they can be chaotic but there's more chance of finding someone you really hit it off with in a flat of 8 or 10 than a flat of 4. Some of the halls at Exeter - I'm not sure which - have a reputation of being very public school so that's another thing to think about.
My info might be a bit out of date, but Holland Hall was always the main 'rah' hall.
MrsEricBana · 02/12/2020 09:08

Sorry to differ but Lafrowda and Rowe are full of first years!

Original poster
MrsMiaWallis · 02/12/2020 09:12

She is private school herself so not phased by either sharing a bathroom or yahs! She's happy to share with anyone from any social group.

OP posts:
MrsEricBana · 02/12/2020 09:25

The ensuite thing is just handy if you're unwell, nothing to do with social status 😂

MrsEricBana · 02/12/2020 09:28

Agree re Holland Hall. I'm not even sure it's about whether someone is rah or not but some of the kids who choose Holland do perhaps have disproportionately more disposable income which could be tricky if you have a bit less, public school educated or not.

Original poster
MrsMiaWallis · 02/12/2020 10:15

Yes it looks very expensive.

I meant dd doesn't mind sharing a bathroom because she's used to it from boarding school not because she thinks its lowly!! But I agree an ensuite during a pandemic sounds sensible!

OP posts:
avenuekleber · 02/12/2020 10:57

My son was at Rowe House last year - really nice, big en suite rooms, right next to Lafrowda (which is considered THE party halls). Close to town. Also disagree with the poster above that said that Rowe House and Lafrowda are not for 1st years - DS said it was full of 'em!

MrsEricBana · 02/12/2020 12:16

Ditto

MarchingFrogs · 02/12/2020 18:26

Lafrowda (can't remember which letter) was shown as the self-catered example on the brief accommodation tour we went on at the end of an open day a couple of years ago. DD and I noted that it was quite handy for the outdoor pool (she's a qualified pool lifeguard) and seemed decent if not really much different from the fairly large selection of university accommodation we'd seen between us. Another vote here for self catering - so much more flexible. Unless it has changed since then, though, paying on an ad hoc basis for a meal in a catered hall, if you didn't fancy cooking, or just wanted to eat with 'catered' friends, seemed to be quite easy.

Original poster
MrsMiaWallis · 02/12/2020 18:39

Unless it has changed since then, though, paying on an ad hoc basis for a meal in a catered hall, if you didn't fancy cooking, or just wanted to eat with 'catered' friends, seemed to be quite easy ah that's good to know

OP posts:
ellesbellesxxx · 02/12/2020 22:13

@MrsEricBana

Sorry to differ but Lafrowda and Rowe are full of first years!
I stand corrected! It has clearly changed a lot Shock
surreygoldfish · 02/12/2020 22:20

DS at Birks grange, self catered town house for 12 bathrooms shared between just 2. Kitchen a bit chaotic when all there but working out really well. The larger flat definitely a plus this year.

titchy · 02/12/2020 22:55

Holland for boarders - very expensive.
Lots from Marlborough, Wincoll etc. PennyC fairly posh rep (catered, en-suite, double beds £ to match Grin). Rowe I think newly refurbed, Lafrow (self catering), Exeter (catered) decent - latter has some shared rooms. Avoid the far side of campus. And beware the hills.....!

MarchingFrogs · 03/12/2020 00:34

Ah yes, the hills...

I had been to Exeter before (DH had relatives there, now deceased), so was aware of it being hilly, but had never had the full hills upon hills experience that was walking up from our guest house on St. Davids Hill to the Streatham campusShock. And that was already up a set of ladder-like steps from railway station level. The only university I've come across with an electric bike docking station.

Attractive city, though.

Oratory1 · 03/12/2020 09:17

For anyone doing medical sciences, sports science, medicine etc with lectures on St Luke's Campus, then Exeter Halls or Penny C on the side of campus closest to St Luke's is definitely an advantage.

Original poster
MrsMiaWallis · 03/12/2020 09:20

Thanks so much. She's humanities. She's very excited, just have to hope nothing goes weirdly wrong in the exams now!

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Moominmammacat · 03/12/2020 10:14

Mine loathed Birks and moved to Holland which she adored.