Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Higher education

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

Original poster

Manchester accommodation news?

58 replies

AvonCallingBarksdale · 21/08/2022 20:10

DS has got his first choice - Manchester - so we’re all delighted 😀. The confirmation email says “up to 10 days” to hear about accommodation, so I know we’re not there yet but wondering why they take so long? He’s guaranteed one of his choices as he’d already firmed Manchester, but would just like to start planning. Anyone heard anything yet??

OP posts:
KittyMcKitty · 28/08/2022 02:11

I think my ds is planning on going on the 15th

MirrorSignal1 · 28/08/2022 17:37

Yes Sat 17th. Was thinking of going up and back in 1 day ( we are 3 hrs drive away). What are others doing?

GU24Mum · 28/08/2022 23:06

Assuming accommodation does eventually come through (!), suspect my husband and son will go up with her and I'll be left behind with the younger one so we leave space in the car for all the stuff she's planning to take.....!

DoggerelBank · 30/08/2022 20:29

DS also at Oak House. Studying biotechnology. So excited for him! We are planning on arriving afternoon of 17th, if he can get an arrival slot then.

Ollycat · 30/08/2022 20:33

DoggerelBank · 30/08/2022 20:29

DS also at Oak House. Studying biotechnology. So excited for him! We are planning on arriving afternoon of 17th, if he can get an arrival slot then.

Do they have to book arrival slots? Ds says he’s not been told anything!

Original poster
AvonCallingBarksdale · 31/08/2022 08:39

Arrival slots?? DS’s communication just says he can move in from the 15th, which we can’t do as both DH and I are working so we’re taking him up on the 17th. Hadn’t considered there could be time slots 😬This is all getting too much for me😂

OP posts:
GladysGeorgina · 31/08/2022 10:37

Anyone else still waiting for accommodation news? My goddaughter is apparently losing the plot slightly worrying. Manchester first choice and got her grades so hoping there are no issues….

GU24Mum · 31/08/2022 16:42

@GladysGeorgina - we are and my daughter is in the same position. One of her friends spoke to accommodation office yesterday and they said it could be next week before they sort it all out!

jgw1 · 31/08/2022 16:48

AvonCallingBarksdale · 21/08/2022 20:10

DS has got his first choice - Manchester - so we’re all delighted 😀. The confirmation email says “up to 10 days” to hear about accommodation, so I know we’re not there yet but wondering why they take so long? He’s guaranteed one of his choices as he’d already firmed Manchester, but would just like to start planning. Anyone heard anything yet??

Manchester, Glasgow and UWE (who are going to accommodate students across the Severn Bridge in Newport) all have more students than they have accommodation for.

KittyMcKitty · 31/08/2022 17:15

Manchester have an accommodation guarantee so as long as your dc meets that you will be allocated.

they take a long time because they are unusual in that they only allocate accommodation once a place is confirmed. Last year they were still allocating in September. You could always email accommodation office to put your mind at rest.

we contacted accommodation office to confirm procedures for moving into Oak House and were told:

Moving-in times are between 10am -6pm, from 15th September 2022. Arrivals after 6pm requires students to contact their ResLife Advisor for their prospective halls www.accommodation.manchester.ac.uk/reslife/info/contact/ .

We will hold the room allocated to you for 4 days from the start date of your offer.

If you arrive within those 4 days you do not need to do anything further.

KittyMcKitty · 31/08/2022 17:16

Are any other dc in Oak House in Beech Court?

GU24Mum · 01/09/2022 18:36

...... not going well..... DD has had an email saying they don't have enough so are offering money not to stay in halls or might end up putting them in Preston or Liverpool..... Anyone else in the same situation?

Whalesong · 01/09/2022 19:04

GU24Mum · 01/09/2022 18:36

...... not going well..... DD has had an email saying they don't have enough so are offering money not to stay in halls or might end up putting them in Preston or Liverpool..... Anyone else in the same situation?

I've seen some others who have already been offered rooms in Liverpool or Huddersfield. Apparently the Manchester halls are all full.
This is horrific. Happening in so many places, not just Manchester. But hopefully they'll be able to swap after they've started since some will drop out early on (not a nice thing to hope for either, but the situation is just awful).

GU24Mum · 01/09/2022 19:30

I'm really frustrated but know she's far from alone. She really wanted to go to Manchester as she loves the city. If she'd wanted to commute, she could have gone to London and lived at home!

I think she's on a chat with others in the same position so hopefully they'll come up with something. I'm nervous about committing to something (Preston or private rental) then finding out she can have a place in October but we have to pay for both. It was her first choice and she applied months ago!!!

Original poster
AvonCallingBarksdale · 01/09/2022 22:11

Really feel for those DC and their parents in this situation 😬. Is this a “thing” now at universities?? Is it due to people staying in halls in years 2/3/4? Are they over-offering numbers-wise? 🤞🏻you get some positive news v soon

OP posts:
BernadetteMatthews · 01/09/2022 22:15

This was on the news earlier BBC North West. It's a bloody disgrace. My niece was offered Liverpool! She's supposed to be going to MMU

Sadless · 05/09/2022 19:27

My daughter mentioned this the other day its ridiculous that they are expected to travel that far for accommodation when it's supposed to be guaranteed. My daughter is starting at Manchester met due to move on 17th she was late looking for accommodation lucky she managed really.

Sal

GU24Mum · 06/09/2022 13:52

We're still in the same position albeit I've spent more time than I'd thought possible on property websites/phone calls to agents. The options are incredibly limited and no clarity from the university.

They're down to "just over 180" rooms short but the numbers are slowing down so I'm not sure they'll do any better than still be 150 rooms short and they're supposed to be going in just over 10 days. My feelings about how it's been handled really aren't printable....

KittyMcKitty · 06/09/2022 15:05

I am so sorry @GU24Mum it’s just rubbish. Ds said they were all written to asking if they’d give up their room for £££ but I imagine that’s only going to get a limited number of rooms. Their was something on the SU Instagram today about some spaces in private halls - don’t know if you saw that.

closing Owens Tower will have severely reduced the accommodation they have available and also they’ve closed a post grad hall for refurb and so allocated UG hall space for PG. it’s not great. It seems many other Unis are having similar problems- friends of ds who are going to Bristol say people have been offered Bath or further afield.

keeping everything crossed for your dd.

MirrorSignal1 · 06/09/2022 19:45

Anyone heard any more about accomodation offers? Apparently there will be another information email tomorrow ( wed 7th sept) but no guarantees that this will have an offer in it. This is getting v stressful! What happens to those who are from several 100 miles away?

Original poster
AvonCallingBarksdale · 06/09/2022 20:42

So sorry to everyone still waiting to hear. Similarly I’ve also heard that there are issues in Bristol. It’s not a great start for young people is it 😔

OP posts:
degsydoodoos · 06/09/2022 20:57

Whalesong · 01/09/2022 19:04

I've seen some others who have already been offered rooms in Liverpool or Huddersfield. Apparently the Manchester halls are all full.
This is horrific. Happening in so many places, not just Manchester. But hopefully they'll be able to swap after they've started since some will drop out early on (not a nice thing to hope for either, but the situation is just awful).

Show quote history

My son's best friend is going to Manchester and also had an email yesterday, telling him he would have to stay in Liverpool (where he's from!) or Huddersfield! However he phoned them this morning and apparently has now been offered a place in the accommodation he originally requested. It seemed a bit odd that in a city the size of Manchester, they claim not to have one single room available in halls!

GU24Mum · 07/09/2022 07:55

@degsydoodoos - is your son's friend going to MMU or UoM?

We're still waiting and concerned that if they offer Liverpool (which is a non-starter for all sorts of reasons) that they'll be contractually stuck there for a year even if spaces come up. Not sure whether we try and find something private (or which there is precious little and nothing in the student area) or stay in a cheap hotel for a month and hold our nerve but potentially come unstuck.

KittyMcKitty · 07/09/2022 13:41

The accommodation contract says that they need to move in within 4 days and if they haven’t (and haven’t informed the Uni) then it implies they would lose the accomodation offer - to me that sounds like accommodation could otentially come available fairly quickly

GU24Mum · 07/09/2022 15:09

@KittyMcKitty - she's got a place!!!!!!!!! Oak House but we don't care where - just wanted somewhere!!!! This whole thing has aged me considerably.