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Original poster

UCL - anyone had an accommodation offer (or anything else)?

25 replies

lunduntown · 23/08/2022 22:23

DS got the A Level grades he needed for UCL, and had a 'congratulations' message from UCAS, but no communication yet from UCL itself. Has anyone had an accommodation offer yet? Or even a welcome email? The last one DS got was on Aug 1st saying there would be an email embargo until results day.

OP posts:
Whalesong · 24/08/2022 00:43

Hi, didn't want to read and run! DS got his accommodation offer this afternoon - one of the intercollegiate halls that he'd requested. Not his first choice room but he's happy - he mainly wanted to be close to the campus, which he is.
Until then he'd heard nothing at all so we were also getting twitchy. I called the IC accommodation service on Monday morning and was told that this is very normal and that UCL is notoriously slow. So don't worry! Fingers crossed your DS will also hear something soon! And congratulations on securing his place!

LobeliaBaggins · 24/08/2022 07:57

Waiting and getting twitchy!

Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 08:18

Thanks @Whalesong. We live in Greater London (though 1h 15min commute from UCL) so I'm wondering if DS will be low priority.

OP posts:
fiftiesmum · 24/08/2022 08:30

We had problems with DC in previous years for UCL.
Some of their halls are such a long way from "campus" as well - many students are unaware of this until they arrive.

Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 09:30

Yes, aware that"s posdible, hence the nerves.

OP posts:
Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 12:05

Oh great, now he's had a "Welcome to UCL" email, which says:

"Now you’re in, you need to work out where you’ll live ... If you haven’t got UCL accommodation this email will help you navigate the London renting scene and if you have, we’ll give you some key dates to keep in mind."

That's a worryingly ambiguous message for anyone who hasn't heard from the UCL accommodation office yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 12:15

Update - he's just logged into the accommodation portal and it looks like he's been offered his first choice - we just didn't get an rmail telling us! Still need to work out how to accept it though. 🙄

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Pattygonia · 24/08/2022 12:25

Ds got his the day after results but I think they stagger them so he was just lucky to hear early. he accepted it and paid a £250 deposit - think there was a link in the email (check spam folder if you haven't had email?) I think you are supposed to accept within 4 days of getting the offer.

Then he booked the drop off slot - do this as soon as you can as they do book up. (Obvs not sure if all halls have this sort of drop off booking procedure)

Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 12:43

The offer email was in his spam folder - it arrived 2 days ago and needs to be accepted by tomorrow. So if anyone else hasn't heard - check your spam!

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LobeliaBaggins · 24/08/2022 13:20

DS just got Campbell Hall West. It wasn't any of his choices :( On the plus side it is v close to uni. On the minus side it does not appear to have any laundry facilities? Or a common room.

We can't decline and ask for another, can we?

Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 13:30

LobeliaBaggins · 24/08/2022 13:20

DS just got Campbell Hall West. It wasn't any of his choices :( On the plus side it is v close to uni. On the minus side it does not appear to have any laundry facilities? Or a common room.

We can't decline and ask for another, can we?

No, but you can accept and ask for a swap.

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LobeliaBaggins · 24/08/2022 13:35

I just figured out that laundry facilities are just across the road at Campbell East. So that seems ok then.

Just also seen the swap thread on Student Room. Thanks @lunduntown !

Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 13:39

I think there is also a formal swap process that opens a couple of weeks after the start of term - your dc can pick up a form from the accommodation office.

OP posts:
Original poster
lunduntown · 24/08/2022 13:40

See the faqs here: www.ucl.ac.uk/accommodation/frequently-asked-questions

OP posts:
Revengeofthepangolins · 24/08/2022 18:21

Ds started at UCL last year. I was amazed by how much swapping went on - I don’t really understand who the bottom people in the chains are, if you see what I mean. DS’s girlfriend moved into Gardens in December, which requires her to find someone to take over her room at Ramsay, but to my surprise she did. And a someone has mentioned, I think the accommodation office help match swaps up.
Key message - watch email and spam like a hawk as the acxeptance period is so very short (3days, as stated upthread) and if you miss it, it is gone
And don’t panic if allocation appears suboptimal

Original poster
lunduntown · 25/08/2022 17:29

Something unexpected - DS's hall contract starts on 11th Sept, which is 2 weeks earlier than the UCL term starting on 26th Sept. Is there any advantage in moving in 2 weeks before the start of term? We haven't heard about any UCL freshers events.

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Pattygonia · 25/08/2022 19:35

My DS' contract starts on 24 Sept - I thought it was welcome week from 26 Sept (but realise I don't get all the info from DS!) Is yours an inter collegiate hall? That might be why it's different?

Original poster
lunduntown · 25/08/2022 21:18

Yes, Connaught Hall so inter-collegiate, but I think large numbers of UCL students are there.

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Whalesong · 26/08/2022 00:39

lunduntown · 25/08/2022 21:18

Yes, Connaught Hall so inter-collegiate, but I think large numbers of UCL students are there.

Same! Also Connaught!
We’re reasonably local so thinking of driving a first load of stuff in on the 11th and checking out the room, what he’ll need etc, but he can’t see a reason to actually move in before say the 23rd?

Rzim · 06/09/2022 21:20

My DD has been offered One Pool Street (close to the Olympic Park) - miles away from campus!!! Not what we were expecting! Anyone else has this offer? Positives is that it's brand new accommodation which will house 500 students - negative is that it's miles away!! Thx x

Original poster
lunduntown · 06/09/2022 21:45

Rzim · 06/09/2022 21:20

My DD has been offered One Pool Street (close to the Olympic Park) - miles away from campus!!! Not what we were expecting! Anyone else has this offer? Positives is that it's brand new accommodation which will house 500 students - negative is that it's miles away!! Thx x

What subject is she studying? It looks like they're locating some departments on that site too, so it will be a second campus: "the Future Living Institute with teaching and experimental laboratories, including UCL’s Centre for Robotics & Autonomous Systems, the Global Disability Innovation Hub, the Culture Lab, Nature-Smart Cities Labs and the Urban Room".

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Rzim · 06/09/2022 22:09

That's super helpful - languages!!! Spanish and Russian!

Rzim · 06/09/2022 22:10

Also how would I find out if her subjects are being delivered there? She's understandably a bit nervous about the location!

Original poster
lunduntown · 06/09/2022 23:09

I guess she could email her department to ask, but it sounds like the sort of thing that would be on the main campus.

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Revengeofthepangolins · 07/09/2022 06:00

My sim arrived at an intercollegiate hall on around sept 20th and claims he missed loads of fun “where have you been “ etc. buy it depends if you want them to be partying for an extra two weeks……

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