APPLYING FOR ACCOMMODATION
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www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN We’re really pleased you have selected 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 20.
enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
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LIVING IN ACCOMMODATION: GUARANTEED, SECURE, EASY Guaranteed
If Shrewsbury is your Firm choice, we’ll guarantee you a room in either Mardol House or The Tannery – so that’s one less thing to worry about.
Secure
Everybody wants to feel safe and secure and not worry too much about some of the uncertainties of life. At Shrewsbury, we’ll ensure you don’t have to worry. Our Residential Advisor and the Concierge Team will help you to settle in and keep you safe around the clock.
Easy
The accommodation is located in Shrewsbury town centre and a five-minute walk to Guildhall, where you’ll have your lectures. It’s an ideal location for getting the best out of your university experience and not to mention brilliant for when you just want to eat some food on the run or fancy a takeout. 6
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KEY DATES There are a couple of key dates you’ll need to bear in mind when applying for accommodation: 22nd March 2021
10th June 2021
Accommodation applications open. Deadline for priority online applications for accommodation close. Applications after this point will be processed; however priority will be given to those applications we receive before the deadline
Remember there is no ‘first come, first served’ policy at Shrewsbury, so as long as you submit your application before 10th June 2021 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. Deferrals and Unconditional Firm contract offers will start to be sent out from the 14th June 2021. Conditional Firm offers who are waiting for results will be sent out after results have been issued and places confirmed after results day*. *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.
enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
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First and foremost, our main priority is the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff. In our communal lobby, reception and corridor areas, face masks are worn and there are multiple hand sanitising points in both buildings. Inside the building, students stay within their ‘bubble’. Unfortunately at this time we cannot welcome visitors into the accommodation and we have reduced all non-essential contractor works to limit any outside risk.
Shrewsbury Accommodation Concierge Team
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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 and we are committed to ensuring you are happy and healthy during your stay with us. Here, the Residential Life Team explains the measures in place to ensure our students are kept safe.
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. Residential Life also work with the Covid Support Team and can offer practical advice on living in University Accommodation. Maria Skinner, Residential Life Team
enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
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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 Advisor on hand to talk to.
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River Severn Market Hall
Shrewsbury Library Fish Street
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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.
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Tannery Accommodation
Mardol House
Tannery Accommodation
Tannery Accommodation
Mardol House
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Tannery Accommodation
YOUR CHOICE Mardol House
Mardol House
All accommodation at Shrewsbury is self-catered and has a contract length of 41 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!
Mardol House
Here’s a run through of the options available to you...
Mardol House
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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
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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
enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
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LIFE IN THE TANNERY Second year 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.
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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!
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GETTING TO KNOW OUR RESIDENTIAL ADVISOR Meet Charlotte, the Residential Advisor for University Centre Shrewsbury’s accommodation. The Residential Advisor 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 Charlotte to find out more about her and what she does as Residential Advisor. Where do you originally come from? Why did you decide you wanted to live in accommodation? “I come from a town called Kidsgrove in Stoke-on-Trent. I had always known I had wanted to live in accommodation to gain some independence but absolutely fell in love when I visited Mardol House (we also have the new build The Tannery now). The rooms are all en-suite and the shared kitchens have plenty of space, there was an immediate homely feel. I knew on the Open Day that UCS would be the place for me and that I would be spending my three years in accommodation.”
How have you found living in accommodation? “I am probably slightly biased being Residential Advisor, but I could not have wished for a better three years in accommodation. On move in day you meet the Residential Advisor and the Concierge Team who are lovely. The concierge will go out of their way to help you with any queries or problems or even if you are just feeling homesick and need a chat. I made friends with all my flat mates on day one of Freshers’ Week and even though we have moved into different houses and such we all still talk and meet up; I have made lifelong friendships. It really does feel like a family away from home.”
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Why did you decide to become Residential Advisor? “I decided I wanted to become Residential Advisor for a few reasons. Firstly, I had a great first year myself so wanted to give back to the university and felt this was a way that I would be able to give the best of myself to the role. I also wanted to find a way to be able to help students that could be going through similar issues to the ones that I went through in first year. First year has a lot of growing up involved and there are times when you just want to talk to someone your own age and being able to be the person that is there to support the students is a real privilege.”
What does your role as Residential Advisor entail? “My role is mainly ensuring that any problems students have are signposted to the correct services. I occasionally attend incidents with concierge which could be wellbeing related or a building upkeep issue where concierge must enter a student’s room. I have my phone on loud 24/7 so if a student needs to contact me whether it be to just have a chat, or they have a concern they need raising I am usually able to attend straight away. I also run an event per term, which is usually taken with input from the students.”
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What is your favourite thing about being Residential Advisor? “My favourite thing about being Residential Advisor is seeing students grow from the first day where they move in, to the last day of the year. I can see friendships grow within accommodation and I also get to see the students transition from young adults to adults.”
What are some of your highlights from your time in accommodation? “My favourite time in accommodation was when I organised an Easter themed event with the students in the building. It was a great bonding activity for the students, and I got to see them make and build new friendships with people in the building that they had not met before that event. It was great fun for everyone involved and the students were great sports in getting involved with the events.”
What advice would you give to new students moving into accommodation for the first time? “Bring a clothes horse! Washing clothes is expensive without having to pay for drying as well. Also, do not have the idea that you are moving into a hotel, you will have to clean up after yourself. Kitchen cleanliness domestics are probably the thing I have to deal with the most! Most importantly though, be yourself and have fun!”
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GETTING TO KNOW LEA MICHAEL 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.”
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Accommodation Concierge Team
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.”
www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
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HOW TO APPLY We know the thought of moving away from home can be a daunting one, so we’ve tried to make the application process as fast and as simple as possible. When you are ready to begin your application you should log in to PASS, our Pre-Arrival Student Site.
Your Application
pass.chester.ac.uk
Your Application Confirmation
Your username for PASS is your student number, which can be found on your offer letter. Your password is Che followed by your date of birth in the format:
CheYYYYMMDD
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.
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.
There is also a University of Chester app available in the App Store for iOS devices and Play for Android devices, so applications can also be made via your mobile phone.
enquiries@ucshrewsbury.ac.uk
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ucshrewsbury.ac.uk/accommodation
+44 1743 297185