Accommodation information for parents

Watching your son or daughter fly the nest can be daunting. We've gathered all the information you need to help them find a great place to live
Accommodation information for parents

Welcome to Residence Life and Student Accommodation Services

Whilst moving away to study in a new area is exciting for students, for their parents, it can be a nerve-wracking experience!

The Residence Life and Student Accommodation team want our students to settle quickly into student life and to enjoy the start of their next adventure. We are here to offer them advice and guidance on all matters relating to halls, student life and living in Plymouth. We encourage our students to use the services we offer throughout their time living in University-managed accommodation. 

Visit our student accommodation pages for more information on our wide array of University-managed accommodation, and advice on living within the private sector.  

Advice to give your son or daughter before they move to University

  • How to budget for rent, food, shopping and social life.
  • Basic cookery, cleaning and laundry skills.
  • Social skills for living with new people.
  • Understanding responsibilities such as paying bills and signing important documents such as housing contracts.
  • Safety and personal security in a new city with new people.
  • Research all of the facilities at the University of Plymouth before they arrive.

Parent FAQs

We have compiled a helpful list of answers to frequently asked questions that parents have had in the past to help applicants who are considering halls of residence. If you can't find the answer to your question, please contact us at residencelife@plymouth.ac.uk and a member of our team would be happy to help.

You can also find further information on our Accommodation FAQs page.

Halls of Residence


Is my child guaranteed a room in halls of residence? 

We guarantee a place in halls – either University-managed or from accredited private providers – to all undergraduate first-year students who make Plymouth their firm first choice and apply before the deadline the 18th June 2021. 

How do they apply?

Applicants can apply for University-managed accommodation once they have received an offer and make the University of Plymouth their first firm choice on ucas. Applicants will then receive an email from us at Residence Life inviting them to begin their application for accommodation on the Accommodation Portal.

Semester two

Students who are studying at the University of Plymouth for semester two can make an application on our Accommodation Portal. Room offers will be sent to students in December and will be required to sign a licence agreement and two weeks advance rent within 7 days of receiving their offer.

Arrivals

Detailed information regarding arrivals will be emailed to applicants around the end of August once the licence agreement has been signed. To find out more about how arrivals run here at the University of Plymouth please see our dedicated arrivals page. 

When will they find out if they have been given a room in halls and where? 

Room offers will be released from the end of June onwards. To secure the room two weeks advance rent is required within seven days of receiving the offer and licence agreement. 

How do we find out moving day instructions for September 2021?

Prior to moving in, information will be provided on the university website. This will include route maps, parking and hotel information. Specific moving time slots will be emailed to them.



What happens if I wish to assist with my son or daughter’s hall payments?

Accommodation payments can be made on the Accommodation Portal (with the email and password set up by the student) via credit/debit card or a Paypal account. Payments are to be made on the dates stated in the license agreement. Here is an example of the academic year payments:

  • Two weeks advance rent to be paid within 7 days of receiving a room offer via email
  • End of October – second rent installment due
  • End of January – third rent installment due
  • End of April – fourth rent installment due

Where can we stay if we come to visit?

Here is a list of local hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts in Plymouth.

Can I discuss my son or daughter’s application or account with Residence Life?

During the application process, your son or daughter will have the opportunity to add third party permission contact details. We can only talk to those people listed as the third party contact in the accommodation application due to data protection. Please note this is not the same as listing someone as your emergency contact as the third party permissions will not apply to them.

  • Students can withdraw third party permission at any time
  • Anyone who calls wishing to discuss a student account will be required to answer security questions
  • After the application process has closed, we will need written permission from the student from an email address listed on their account for a person to be added as a third party contact.

Living within the private sector 

If university accommodation is not for you the city of Plymouth offers a huge range of accommodation for students, so whether you are looking for purpose built student accommodation, student houses, flats or even homestays, there's something out there to meet all budgets both in the city centre or surrounding areas.

Find out more about private sector accommodation

Useful student life magazine articles