Trying to find accommodation can be a stressful experience at the best of times, but when you add in trying to prepare for a new academic year into the mix too it can all prove to be a bit much! So, let's look at the options and where is best to look...
Halls of residence 👉🏼
Many first-year students choose to stay in halls of residence, and here at the University of Plymouth there are plenty to pick from. They can get snapped up quickly, so you don’t want to be leaving it late and missing out. To apply for a room, you simply have to do so through the accommodation portal. You can read more about the different rooms and how it works here.
Find out more information on University halls of residence.
Other student accommodation options 👉🏼
If halls are not for you, you can choose to look at private rented housing, which is often more common for second or third-year students, however, might be a better fit for some first year students.
Whilst we at the University of Plymouth Students' Union cannot magic up a property for you, we can offer you some advice of what to do and where to look.
It can be a bit dauting to understand some of the basics, including what is meant by private sector accommodation for students. The link below will take you to a page on the University website which gives you a bit of help in trying to get your head around that side of things.
More information on living in the private sector as a student.
Where to look for accommodation 👉🏼
When looking for a property we would always suggest that you undertake an internet search of accommodation providers/letting agents within the Plymouth area. Rightmove and Zoopla are two such examples of places to go to search for student accommodation, but there are many more.
Social media can also be a useful tool to search for a room, often for single occupancy. Spareroom is once such site but there also pages on Facebook that are ran by us at UPSU, which allows students to advertise rooms they no longer need, or put out posts asking if anybody knows of one going free.
You can find and join these Facebook groups here:
If you are struggling to find accommodation or want to see places in person before signing, you could consider obtaining short term accommodation whilst waiting for something more permanent. However, you need to be aware that could prove far more costly if it takes longer than you would hope to find the place you are looking for.
If short-term accommodation is a route you would like to go down, you may wish to browse here which provides options for guesthouses and B&Bs in Plymouth, many of which are within walking distance of the university.
Airbnb is another popular app that offers more short-term accommodation. If you are considering booking through a site such as Amber Student, we would recommend that you ensure that you read reviews on a verified site, such as Trust Pilot.
Get in touch with your SU Advice team - free contract checking service
It is important that you also know that as a Students' Union Advice team, we do offer a free contract checking service. If that is something you would like to take advantage of then please forward us a copy of your tenancy agreement to advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk and we will be happy to read it and offer comment.
We would always say that it is best to view somewhere in person, if possible, to ensure you are happy with the property and the location. Photographs of properties posted on the internet may not be accurate.
We hope that helps. If you have any further queries, please do get in touch!
Visit our SU Advice webpage, send an enquiry form, or email advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk