FAQs and useful information

Our most common questions and concerns

Useful links for applicants and residents

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find some of our most frequently asked questions about the Accommodation Portal and life in halls. From lost passwords to TV licences, you'll find lots of useful information to help you access the Portal, make rent payments and familiarise yourself with your new home.

If you have a question that isn't answered here, feel free to contact the Accommodation Team to ask. You can email us at uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk, or contact us during our daily live chat sessions on Facebook and Instagram. We're online every weekday between 2pm and 4pm.

Questions about the Accommodation Portal

How do I log in?

First, you'll need to visit our Accommodation Portal. If it is your first time visiting the Portal, you will need to enter the email address you used for your UCAS application and your student number. This will trigger the system to send an email to your account within 30 minutes, which will contain a link for you to set your password. You will then be able to log into the Portal.

If you're having problems logging in after you've created an account, make sure you're logging in with the right email address. If you're still having problems, send us an email (uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk) and we can sort it out.

I’ve forgotten my username/password! What do I do?

Your Accommodation Portal username is your registered UCAS email address.
If you have forgotten your password, click the 'forgot password' button on the Portal to be sent a reset link.

My password has not arrived in my inbox

Don't worry. There can be a number of reasons for this:

High levels of traffic may delay the release of your email - particularly when the Accommodation Portal first opens and everyone is trying to apply for rooms all at once! Please wait another 30 minutes.
Have you checked your junk folder? Sometimes the password email can get caught in there.
Check the email address you've used - make sure there are no spaces at the start or end of it. Please do not copy and paste your email address.
If you're still having problems after 24 hours, email the team at uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk and we'll look into it for you.

I’m getting an error message when I log into the Portal

You need to have made Plymouth your firm choice before you can apply for accommodation. Our systems can take up to 72 hours to update with this information. If after this time you are still unable to log on, send us an email (uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk) and we'll get it resolved.

I have additional requirements I need to tell you about

If you have any specific requirements (for example, if you are tall and therefore require a longer bed) please add this information on the 'any other information' section on the Halls Application Form. We cannot guarantee to meet all requirements, but please make sure you let us know so we can do our best to help.

Questions about living in halls

How do I make a rent payment?

When any payment is due, you'll automatically receive an email asking you to log in to the Accommodation Portal and pay using a credit or debit card. All your fees for the year will be displayed on your account with the date they are due.

When are my payments due throughout the year?

The two weeks' advance rent payment is due when you sign your licence agreement in June. The remaining rent is split into three instalments, due in October, January and April. These dates tie in with payments from the student finance company and are detailed in your license agreement.

I have forgotten my password, what do I do?

Please login to the Accommodation Portal using the email address you provided to UCAS. You'll be able to request a new password. Alternatively, send the Accommodation Team an email (uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk) and we can help you.

Where can I find my contract length and weekly rent?

Please check your student licence agreement. It will have been sent to the email address you use to log into the Accommodation Portal.

Can I bring a bike/watersport equipment?

Yes! You are welcome to bring these items with you. We have a limited number of bicycles and watersports storage facilities that residents are welcome to use, and they are provided free of charge. You will need to arrange access to these storage facilities with your Hall Reception upon arrival.

Please note: Bicycles and watersports equipment are not permitted in bedrooms or any communal areas for health and safety reasons. Bicycles must be stored in a bicycle storage room within designated buildings or the outdoor bicycle racks. If you have a bicycle, it is essential to insure it and lock it. Bicycles stored in other areas (for example, on railings) will be removed by the facilities management team. Personal diving equipment, including high-pressure diving cylinders (full or empty) cannot be stored in or around our Halls of Residence. The University of Plymouth will not cover loss or damage to items in a halls storage area.

Can I bring my car with me?

We do not provide parking spaces for students who are living in our Halls of Residence and parking is very limited in the centre of Plymouth. However, there are various spaces around campus for blue badge holders. If you are a blue badge holder, please contact the Accommodation Team at uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk to let us know and we ensure suitable arrangements are made to support you.

All of our Halls of Residence are very close to both the University and the city centre. Public transport links are good (for example, there are very frequent bus services to Derriford Hospital that pass right outside the University campus) and the train station is just a short walk from the campus. Please note: If you park on campus or any of our halls without a valid permit then you are liable to be fined, which we're sure you will want to avoid! Please make sure that you park only where you are permitted to do so.

Can I stay in halls during my second and third year?

Working alongside Disability Services, we offer a limited amount of rooms for returning students on a case-by-case basis. You are not guaranteed a room in halls during your second and third year.

Most students move into accommodation in the private sector during their second and third years. You can find out more about what type of accommodation is available in the private sector on our website. UPSU Advice Centre also offer a free tenancy agreement checking service, so you can feel more confident before you sign any agreements.

Questions about applying for a room

When can I apply for accommodation?

Once you have confirmed the University as your firm first choice on UCAS, you will receive an email containing a link to our Accommodation Portal, which will open for applications in early February and close just before Results Day. If you have already confirmed us as your firm choice, you will receive an email notification once the Portal opens. Once the portal closes, you will then only be able to apply for accommodation through Clearing.

How do I select my Hall preferences?

Bookings are made on a first-come, first-served basis. You can select your room preferences during your accommodation application via the Accommodation Portal.

Am I guaranteed a room in halls if I'm a first year?

Yes! We guarantee a place in halls (either University-managed or with accredited private providers) to all new undergraduate first-year students who:

make Plymouth their firm first choice,
apply before the 19 June 2023,
are eligible under our terms and conditions.

I'm a mature student. Can I stay in halls?

Yes. If you are a mature student who is beginning the first year of their undergraduate degree, you can apply for a place in our Halls of Residence. Please note that we do not have dedicated 'mature halls'. However, upon completing your application, you will be allocated a room in a flat with other mature students.

Can postgraduate students stay in halls?

No. Rooms in our six University-managed Halls of Residence are currently only available to first year undergraduate students. If you're a postgraduate student looking for accommodation, you can find more information about what type of accommodation is available in the private sector on our website.

What if I am only studying during semester two? Can I still live in halls?

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. You will be required to sign a licence agreement and pay the two weeks advanced rent payment within seven days.

The licence agreement will be for 24 weeks. You will pay the first 12 weeks' rent instalment in January, and the remaining 10 weeks' rent instalment in April.

Information will be emailed to students once you have paid your advance rent and signed the licence. You will also be able to join your secure hall Facebook groups to meet your new neighbours before you arrive!

Can I stay in halls over the summer?

Yes. If you'd like to stay in Plymouth over the summer, a special student rate is available. The summer accommodation is en suite and is situated in a block reserved for summer accommodation residents only.

Will my belongings be insured?

Insurance cover is provided in all University-managed accommodation by Endsleigh Insurance. You can view current insurance cover details on the Accommodation Resources page of our website.

When will accommodation offers be sent?

Accommodation offers will be released from the end of June. To secure your room, a payment of 2 weeks worth of advance rent is required and you will need to read, sign and return your licence agreement. Please note: only the student intending to live in the room can sign the Halls of Residence licence agreement.

When will I get instructions about moving day for September 2023?

At the end of August you will receive an email containing your move-in day date and time slot, your flat number, route maps, parking permits, and hotel information. If you have any questions once you've received that information, you can email the team at uniaccommodation@plymouth.ac.uk.

I have disabilities or specific requirements - what support is available to me?

The University can provide support for students with disabilities and medical conditions. If you have applied by the deadline specified on our website, we will try and allocate a room that meets your requirements where possible. If you are a postgraduate or have specific requirements you may be interested in reading our accommodation advice about what support is available to you.

Can another person discuss my account with Accommodation Services?

Yes, but you will need to give them third party permission.

During the application process, you 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, giving someone third party permissions is not the same as listing someone as your emergency contact; third party permissions do not apply to emergency contacts. If you want to add someone as a third party contact after you've made your application, you will need to do so in writing from the email address listed on your account, otherwise we cannot discuss your details with them.

Life skills to develop before you 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 University of Plymouth before you arrive.

General information about our Halls of Residence

Smoking
All University-managed accommodation is non-smoking. You need to be at least five meters from any University building.

Postage
When vacating your room at the end of your contract, please ensure you change your postal address.

Can I register with a doctor?
You can register with a GP at the University Medical Centre on campus who work with two surgeries Beaumont Villa Surgery and Peverell Park Surgery. You may also call +44 1752 222341 or visit the University Medical Centre website for further information.

Internet
All residents have access to the University network at no extra charge. Please look at the Halls Handbook for information about internet usage in halls.

Insurance
Insurance cover is provided in all University-managed accommodation by Endsleigh Insurance. You can view your insurance cover details in our Resident Resources section.

UPP and the University of Plymouth
Our halls are provided in partnership with UPP, the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure. They provide and maintain the buildings while the University provides a range of support for you, including social events to create great communities, welfare support and 24/7 security to help to keep you safe. Our halls are located on campus, or within the nearby Student Village - only a few minutes’ walk from both University facilities and city-centre amenities.

As a resident in our halls you will sign a licence agreement directly with the University. Our friendly team provide information and advice prior to booking, and ongoing support during your time in our halls, with on site assistance from our Halls Team every day. As part of the University, the team has a relationship with other student services and departments ensuring your needs can be met seamlessly. We also organise a ‘Residence Life’ programme of exclusive visits, activities and competitions, as well as offering dedicated Facebook groups and other social media for residents so that you can start to meet hallmates before arrival, and stay up to date with our social events.

Do I need to pay for a TV licence?

You will need a TV Licence if you want to watch, stream or record live TV as it's being broadcast, or if you're using BBC iPlayer, on any device (such as phones, tablets and games consoles). If you only ever use other online on-demand services (such as Amazon Prime, Netflix and Disney+), you don't need one.

You will need to buy a TV Licence if:

You're watching or recording programmes as they're being shown live on TV, on any channel.
You're watching, recording or downloading any programmes on BBC iPlayer. This applies to all channels (including +1 channels) on any mainstream TV platform, including Freeview, Sky or Virgin.
You're watching, streaming or recording any live TV on any platform (including online TV services, YouTube or Amazon Prime). For example, if you're watching a live football match being streamed via ITV Hub at the same time as it's being broadcast on ITV, you would need a TV Licence for this.
If you watch 'live TV' from a channel that isn't broadcast in the UK (including those picked up via satellite or online), you will still need to be covered by a valid TV licence. This is regardless of the country of origin or the language of the broadcast.

Please note: If you are found to be watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a licence, you can be fined up to £1,000. You will need to organise your own TV Licence for your room in halls if you want to watch live TV or BBC iPlayer.

You can find out more information about buying a TV licence and what it covers on the TV Licensing website.

Will my parents' TV Licence cover me?

Your parents’ licence will not cover you while you’re away at uni, unless you only use a device that’s powered solely by its own internal batteries and not connected to the mains.

What if I’m not at uni for the summer?

If you’re leaving your halls or rented accommodation and moving back home for the summer, there’s a good chance you won’t need your TV Licence if there’s one at home. You can see their policy and apply for a refund online.