University Centre Shrewsbury Accommodation Guide

FIND YOUR PEOPLE FIND YOUR PLACE

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

We’re really pleased you have selected University Centre Shrewsbury as one of your choices. If you’re looking for student accommodation, we wanted to let you know that you can now apply for a room in our partnership accommodation in Shrewsbury.

Our accommodation is owned and managed by Shropshire Council but your application for a room is made to the University.

You can complete your application by logging on to: pass.chester.ac.uk

Further details of how to log on to PASS can be found on page 26.

FINDING YOUR PLACE

We know that finding your place to live is one of the most important parts of going to university. This is why we guarantee Firm choice applicants a room in either Mardol House or The Tannery – so that’s one less thing to worry about.

Our accommodation is located in Shrewsbury town centre and is just a five-minute walk to Guildhall, where you’ll have your lectures. The central location puts you in the heart of everything so you can get the most out of your university experience.

When it’s time to move into your accommodation, we’ll make sure everything goes smoothly and you’re ready to get involved in university life. Our dedicated Residential Assistant and the Concierge Team will help you settle in and be there for you around the clock.

KEY DATES

There are a couple of key dates you’ll need to bear in mind when applying for accommodation.

18th June 2023

Remember there is no ‘first come, first served’ policy at Shrewsbury, so as long as you submit your application before 18th June 2023 it will be considered fairly. If we receive your application after this date we will endeavour to process your application, but those received before the deadline will take priority.

If you are waiting to receive results, we will send details of your accommodation allocation once your results have been received and your place at the University is confirmed.*

*Shropshire Council (our accommodation partner) will endeavour to notify all applicants of room allocation as soon as possible, post results day. Your room allocation will be sent with your accommodation agreement and handbook.

YOUR WELLBEING

We realise that this may be the first time you have lived away from home and you may have some concerns. Rest assured that the wellbeing of our students is our number one priority. Our Residential Life Team, which sits within Student Services, is committed to ensuring you are happy and healthy during your stay with us.

Our Residential Life Team is here to help you settle in and make the most of your university experience. Our team is trained to support your wellbeing and our Residential Advisors are current students, so they’ve all been in the same position as you.

You will meet your Residential Advisor during the first week of Induction. They are on hand to offer information and advice on a number of subjects, including: accessing support services, volunteering, sustainability, enhancing your employability, and Students’ Union campaigns. They also plan a range of social events to help you get to know other students.

Maria Skinner, Residential Life Team

LIVING IN SHREWSBURY

The accommodation at Shrewsbury is situated over two conveniently located town centre sites - The Tannery and Mardol House. Comprising of a mix of self catered en-suite cluster flats or self contained studio apartments, the accommodation at Shrewsbury has an option for everyone. Both halls of residence also provide laundrette facilities and CCTV monitored outdoor bike racks.

All accommodation is self-catered and your rent includes all utility bills, maintenance and WiFi access. The accommodation is safe and secure with a 24-hour concierge service covering both sites – plus if you need any help, there’s also a Residential Assistant on hand to talk to.

AT THE HEART OF IT ALL

The accommodation is in a prime location in Shrewsbury town centre and really puts you at the heart of the town and the community. It’s just a short walk from the lecture halls, library and social spaces at Guildhall.

There are also popular high street stores on your doorstep, plus the Market Hall sells fresh and locally made produce. To top it all off, there’s a cinema, museum and public park all just around the corner

YOUR CHOICE

All accommodation at Shrewsbury is selfcatered and has a contract length of 38 weeks, which means you don’t have to vacate your room during the holidays. However, when it comes to applying for accommodation there are options you need to consider.

There are two different room types to choose from, so it’s important you tell us which one you would prefer!

Here’s a run through of the options available to you...

STUDIO APARTMENT

• En-suite

• Kitchenette containing a fridge and freezer compartment, microwave,kettle and toaster

• Wardrobe, bedside cabinet, study desk and bookcase

• Access to a fully fitted kitchen/dining area, shared with all Studio Apartments, with a fridge, freezer, oven, hob, microwave, kettle and toaster

£130 - £156 per week*

*Prices are for 2022/23. Prices subject to change and will be confirmed upon receipt of your accommodation offer and contract.

*Prices are for 2022/23. Prices subject to change and will be confirmed upon receipt of your accommodation offer and contract.

SINGLE ROOM

• En-suite

• Fully fitted kitchen, shared with five other residents, with a fridge, freezer, oven, hob, microwave, kettle and toaster

• Shared dining area

• Wardrobe, bedside cabinet, study desk and bookcase

£130 per week*

LIFE IN THE TANNERY

Applied Psychology student Lucy tells us about her time living in The Tannery and all the benefits she’s found from living in University accommodation.

Shrewsbury is such a lovely place to live! I currently live in the Tannery Accommodation building, and I love it here! I have lived in this building for two years and I have enjoyed every single moment. Living in accommodation gives you so much independence, but there’s always a helping hand whenever you need it. The Tannery is a new, modern building that provides you with everything you need - fully fitted kitchens which you share with up to five other people (an amazing opportunity to make friends for life) and bedrooms which are just perfect for students.

I come from the outskirts of Liverpool and always knew I wanted a change of scenery when I moved to university and coming to a small town like Shrewsbury was the perfect change for me. The Shrewsbury community is so loving and helpful, you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.

Moving in day was a big worry for me, leaving family and friends to live in a new place can be scary, but the concierge staff and Student Ambassadors made me feel so welcome and instantly at home. My family were able to leave me knowing I was in the safest of hands and going to have the best of times living away from home.

Moving away to university and living in accommodation was one of the best decisions I ever made - I am now so independent and I am equipped with all the skills I will need for when I leave university and start my future. I have also made lifelong friends through living in accommodation, and these are friends I will truly have with me forever. It is so refreshing to make friends who are from all over the world and learn new things from them too!

GETTING TO KNOW OUR RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT

Meet Alex, the Residential Assistant for University Centre Shrewsbury’s accommodation. The Residential Assistant is a student who is always on hand to help with any concerns or problems you may have, as well as organising social events where you can get to know your fellow students! We caught up with Alex to find out more about her and what she does as Residential Assistant.

Where do you originally come from? Why did you decide you wanted to live in accommodation?

“I am originally from London – so quite a distance from Shrewsbury! The accommodation appealed to me as it’s so close to the University and local amenities, and all the bills are included in the price.”

What are the benefits of living in accommodation?

“The benefits of living in accommodation are how close you are to the University and living within proximity of friends which means it’s easy to plan to meet up and go out. The University has its own gym which is free and available for students to use and is also close to the accommodation. It’s nice to be able to live on your own, cook with friends, and find your independence.”

Why did you decide to become a Residential Assistant?

“I began doing ‘walk and talks’ with a few of the students when they felt they needed to chat or go through something that was happening in their lives. I really enjoyed it and wanted to apply for the role afterwards.”

What does your role as Residential Assistant entail?

“As a residential assistant, I ensure students feel supported and happy whilst living in the accommodation. I speak to students I see, and students can ask to talk to me whenever they need some support and a friendly ear. I remember I had one day where I ended on 30,000 steps from walking and talking to everyone who wanted a catch-up!”

What is your favourite thing about being Residential Assistant?

“I love knowing you’re useful when students need you and that you’re supporting their university experience, especially if they are away from home.”

What are some of your highlights from your time in accommodation?

‘‘I can honestly say that I have made some life-long friends through living in accommodation, and that is probably one of the biggest highlights for me. I have also had many laughs and fun times.’’

What advice would you give to new students moving into accommodation for the first time?

“Just to have fun, speak to lots of others there, and know that you are always supported if you need it. The concierge team is fantastic - they always know who to contact if they believe you would benefit from further support. They really do go ‘above and beyond’ and that has made many students’ time at the accommodation peaceful, knowing you’re not ‘just another student’.”

GETTING TO KNOW OUR CONCIERGE TEAM

One of our top priorities for students staying in the accommodation is their safety and security. Whatever the time of day, you can always call upon the Concierge Team in our student accommodation. Here, we get to know a little more about Lea Michael, one of the friendly faces in the Concierge Team.

What is a typical day at work for you?

“A typical day at work for me consists of 12 hours spent between Mardol House and The Tannery. Our job consists of wellbeing, maintenance and repairs, security, administration and other roles. There is always something to do and there is always somebody to talk to.”

What is your favourite thing about your job?

“My favourite part of the job is the social side of things and the friendly little communities that develop within our buildings. The Concierge Team as a whole work hard to ensure that all student-staff relations are always perfectly balanced, so we are always approachable and efficient in solving any problems that may arise.”

What has been your proudest moment whilst working in this role?

“Personally, my proudest moment to date was the first graduation ceremony. Watching our students collecting their degrees after all their hard work since moving in makes us all very proud of each student.”

What advice would you give to someone moving into student accommodation for the first time?

“My advice would be that as scary and daunting as it may be to take the big step in moving into student accommodation, it soon becomes home and you will make the best of friends for life.”

Have you seen anything funny or surprising while working as part of the Concierge?

“The Concierge Team encounter many funny and surprising things over the duration of the academic year, with most of these occurring during the evenings of Freshers’ week!”

If you could have a superpower what would you choose?

“I would personally choose time travel, win the lottery and invest heavily into Shrewsbury Town F.C.”

Choose a movie title for the story of your life.

“The Never-ending Story.”

What might people not know about you?

“I used to live in Germany, when serving as a soldier in The British Army.”

What makes being a student in Shrewsbury unique?

“The accommodation situation is unlike most others, because of the smaller size everybody gets to know each other. Also, having a Concierge Team in the building 24 hours of every day is a big help for the students.”

HOW TO APPLY

Apply for accommodation through PASS, our PreArrival Student Site pass.chester.ac.uk. Applications can also be made via your mobile phone by downloading the University of Chester app.*

Your username for PASS is your 7-digit student number. Your student number can be found on the letter sent with this mailing. Your password is Che followed by your date of birth in the format: CheYYYYMMDD. You will then be directed to the accommodation application pages where you will need to register, create a new password exclusively for your accommodation application, and then and submit your accommodation application.

*The University app is available in the App Store for iOS devices, Google Play for Android devices and Windows Store for Windows phones.

Your Application

The application will ask you to tell us more about yourself, your preferences and whether you have any specific needs you’d like us to consider when we allocate the accommodation.

Your Application Confirmation

Once you’ve submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email. Remember, we won’t confirm your accommodation offer until after we’ve received your academic results. However, if you have any queries, please feel free to contact us.