Uni halls with private kitchen (studio flats)

[toomuchapplepied]

Hi my daughter is autistic and is keen to go to Uni to study science, but can’t bear the idea of sharing a kitchen in halls.

Can anyone recommend a good uni for science (likely to be biology/natural science route) that offers studio flats with private kitchen on campus please? I’m concerned about her becoming isolated living on her own, but she adamant this is the only way she will cope.

Preferably within a 2 hour radius of Milton Keynes so she is not too far from us if she needs support! I’ve googled but not many coming up. TIA

Thank you so much for all of your replies, it’s given us a lot to think about. It’s great to know that there are these facilities available. To answer a few questions - not too worried about cost, we have got some savings to cover uni costs specifically.
DD has anxiety and depression alongside her autism. Some of this is related to her health and sharing facilities without others would probably trigger this.

She takes medication and has been seeing a therapist since she was 13.

She struggles with social situations and busy places. We have talked about this, but she is adamant she wants to give it a go and she’ll be ok as long as she has a place of her own. It’s causing me anxiety tbh because I have been her advocate for all these years, I’m quite worried for her.

She is a higher achiever and likely to make the grades for Nottingham, so it’s useful to know that there are studio flats there. Good tip to ask AI too.

Thanks so much everyone 😊

I would suggest she goes to a couple of open days and meets the student support officers and accommodation team for advice. Does she qualify for PIP?

Yes we have some open days booked and trying to narrow it down by Unis that offer studio flats now she has decided that is a deal breaker.

She does receive PIP which has been used to pay for her therapy sessions and other very specific things she needed from time to time (very expensive fan to keep cool etc) the rest is in her savings account (I hope!) so she should be able to contribute to cost of accommodation if our savings don’t quite cover it.

Southampton Uni has studios about 10/15 mins walk away.

I think you can get some rent covered by DSA if you need to be in more expensive accommodation eg studio due to needs. Or uni should provide such accommodation under reasonable adjustments

Yeah, that would be nice, wouldn't it? However in reality, DC1 got the difference between a shared bathroom room and an ensuite paid by the University directly organised by the University disabled student services. DSA does not cover it. DC2 was told by the DSA advisor that the uni should again cover the difference between the two but the uni (different one) said absolutely not, not even with medical evidence would they do so. So it depends and is up to the uni and is not part of DSA.

There is help towards accommodation costs where more expensive accommodation is required because of the student’s disability. That includes where a studio is required for disability reasons.

How it is funded depends on the type of accommodation. For private rentals, the additional cost above the price of comparable standard accommodation can be funded via DSA. If the accommodation is university accommodation or private accommodation managed on behalf of the university, the higher education provider is expected to meet the additional disability related cost. This is a reasonable adjustment so universities should just be saying a blanket no because that would be discrimination. This information is for the 25/26 academic year but you can see more information here.

Definitely have a look at Warwick - I think the studios on campus are aimed at postgrads but your daughter should be able to get accommodations for ND so perhaps give the central residences team a ring? Failing that, there are a couple of private halls which are just off campus and just as close as some “on campus” housing - and many first years are being housed here atm due to some renovations- and are very nice. Bear in mind that the life sciences buildings are a bit further afield though so you’ll need to check distances. But I’ve found the team extremely helpful and the prices much more reasonable than many places! Warwick also has I think a week before freshers week for ND students to get acclimated- it used to be in person but may now be virtual but a good way to help adjusting. There’s also a v active ND society.

Thank you - I’ve just looked at post grad accommodation at Warwick and they do have studio flats 😊 we have looked at Warwick and DD liked it but was concerned about sharing a kitchen. So it’s good to know that this could be an option.

Good luck to you. If she ends up at Warwick and postgrad / on campus doesn’t work out take a look at Vita Cannon Park private halls — pricey but fab and the “right side” of campus for life sciences. Spitting distance to the big Tesco and shopping centre.

You mention that your 'DD has anxiety and depression alongside her autism. Some of this is related to her health and sharing facilities without others would probably trigger this.
She takes medication and has been seeing a therapist since she was 13.
She struggles with social situations and busy places.'

When I attended uni I went to a talk by the Disability Centre to find out what was available, just because I'm nosy and like to know things. I said there was probably nothing they could do for me but because I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, together with the fact I had moved 2 hours away from home and never lived on my own before (at the grand old age of 54!) I was offered a counselling session every week, so I would have someone to discuss things with, I had a learning agreement put in place to assist both myself and my tutors and also, as I prefer to read from printed notes rather on screen, they give me a printing allowance of £100 a year.

We also had a member of staff in our department who was a mental first-aider - the first point of contact for students who were struggling.

Please get in touch with them at whichever university your DD chooses, as they can help in so many ways.

My Foster Son is at Worcester University. I've no idea what they are like for Science but he is neuro diverse and has anxiety. He's been given a disabled room which is much bigger than a standard room with a double bed and coloured lights. His room has a kitchenette with a fridge, freezer, microwave and kettle with kitchen cupboards and a worktop. His room also has a large ensuite. He can also used a shared kitchen but I think he's only been in it 3 or 4 times later at night when no one else was in it. There are also carer rooms and DH stayed in a carer room adjacent to Foster sons room for 2-3 nights each week to help him with shopping, clearing up and cleaning and washing across the hall if FS needed emotional support or lost his pass as FS hates speaking to strangers and gets anxious if he has to do so. Both the disability team and his tutors were really supportive of him to the extent he is now comfortable asking them things even without DH there. It is also possible for students to have a disabled room in second year if necessary.

A friend’s DC has a studio in halls at Bath Uni for allergy reasons. A family member had a studio in private halls in Plymouth for three years. Neither found it isolating because they joined clubs etc for their social lives. My DS lasted just a term at uni because of anxiety and a big issue was that he felt unable to use the flat kitchen (as well as not doing anything that would involve talking to people - basically he managed to get to lectures and go to supermarket for snacks and ingredients for sandwiches to make in his room and talked to no one). So I think you’re sensible to be looking at studios, but also look at how good their disability support is and talk to your DD about their willingness to engage with support and importance of mixing with other students in other ways.

Thanks all, the information has been really helpful. She has a few more unis to visit so once she makes her choices, then we can discuss contacting disability teams. It’s great to know that there is help out there -
thank you all for sharing your experiences :-)

How's your son doing now? That sounds really tough. I hope he's getting some support for his anxiety x

Best to look for the course that fits as they are all different, but most areas have them but prices will be expensive, and studios are very isolating.

We've actually found that private halls are comparable rates to uni run, better maintained, and in the case of Junxion at Lincoln actually significantly cheaper than uni!

Speak to the accessibility team when you go on visits, many will reduce the cost of studio flats where there is a need such as this, Surrey do and Essex had it as an option. Most will also have the option of a smaller flat, my autistic son was in a flat of 6 rooms as he wouldn't have coped with a 12 person flat but didn't want studio (and even at discounted rate it was too expensive for his loan to cover it)

University of Gloucestershire (Cheltenham) have them. Also have a great reputation for storing students with neuro diversity.

Lots of universities have these, she shouldn't need to go to the private providers.
Eg I know Nottingham and Exeter have studios.
They are typically less popular with first years so she should be able to get one.

University of Nottingham. The only thing is that they’re not in Campus but are literally across the road in Broadgate Park.

Just over an hour and a half from where you are by rail or car.

We were told that they are a bit like marmite, the students either really like them or really don’t.

The good news is that if she does like the studio flat, she can probably stay in one for the full duration of her course.

It might be a good idea to get her to look at the modules as well as the accommodation and to have a think about how she will meet people if she’s in her own and how she will deal with the sheer amount of time that she will be alone.

Just wanted to say that the advice from AliMonkey.

Have a look at De Montfort Uni too. DN has ASD and ones of her Sixth Form Teachers suggested having a look as they have such good support for anyone with ND.

It has been good and they’ve graduated this year and are working.

Its just over an hour from where you live too so there may be a possibility of commuting?

@noshade He is back home and doing Open Uni and much happier but anxiety still a huge issue and he can’t be persuaded to seek support. So barely leaves the house but at least he talks to us. Until he’s willing to seek support it’s going to continue to rule his life - but not sure what the answer is when the anxiety includes talking to anyone to get help.

look at Sheffield. there are a number of private student halls with studio options, all in the city center located near the university.