I have lived in both on-campus (Millennium House in Stag Hill and Ronald Ross Road in Manor Park) and off-campus accommodations. And I’m currently living at Scape Guildford. In this blog, I will introduce on-campus and off-campus accommodations options and the difference between on-campus and off-campus accommodations based on my personal experience.

On-Campus

For on-campus accommodations, there are over 6000 rooms available across Stag Hill, Manor Park and Hazel Farm. For room types, you can choose between shared, budget single (Band A and B), single (Band C), en-suite (Band D), premium en-suite (Band E), family accommodation and studio flats (Band F). Prices range from less than £100 per week to more than £250 per week. It also offers accommodation to suit different lifestyle choices including single-sex flat, quiet flat, alcohol-free flat and accessible or adapted rooms.

Bands Available

Stag Hill:

•Shared

•Single (Band C)

•En-Suite (Band D)

•Premium En-Suite (Band E)

•Family Accommodation

**All Stag Hill residents are eligible for a discounted Stagecoach bus pass**

**Bike storage facilities and bike rental scheme available**

Manor Park:

•En-Suite (Band D)

•Premium En-Suite (Band E)

•Studio Flat (Band F)

•Family Accommodation

**All Manor Park residents are eligible for a discounted Stagecoach bus pass**

**Bike storage facilities and bike rental scheme available**

Hazel Farm:

•Budget Single (Band A and B)

•Family Accommodation

**All Hazel Farm residents are eligible for a subsidised Stagecoach bus pass due to its distance**

For the most up-to-date information on the prices and availability for each type of room, click here. 

Off-Campus

Since I’m in my second year now, student accommodations are not guaranteed, so I opted for off-campus accommodations. I’m currently living in Scape Guildford, a 10-15mins walk away from campus, train station and town centre. I have several choices (Scape, UniLife and Bankside) in my mind, but Scape stands out of my top choice because it was the cheapest and the most budget-friendly. Scape is a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). It has a lot of great spaces available for use, for example, 24/7 gym, table tennis/billiards tables, communal kitchen, meeting & study rooms, cinema, courtyard, spacious lounge, etc. Room rent comes with wifi and all utility bills, all the facilities like gym and cinema room are also included. All rooms are fully furnished, come with a double bed and an en-suite bathroom, my room also comes with a TV. Scape also provides extra cleaning services for a fee. Scape held regular events and socials to let you take a break aside from your studies and to meet new friends.

Types of Rooms Available

•Standard En Suite (cheapest and most affordable, shared kitchen)

My room is a standard en suite, slightly smaller than a Band D student accommodation, I share a kitchen with 6 flatmates including myself.

•Medium En Suite (shared kitchen)

•Standard Studio 

•Medium Studio

•Large Studio (most expensive)

•Bed in a Two Room Apartment (available in Male and Female) (ideal for two people)

For the most up-to-date information on the prices and availability for each type of room, click here. 

Difference Between On-Campus Accommodations and Off-Campus Accommodations

The main difference to me is that PBSA is privately owned, they usually have more facilities and amenities catering to students’ needs, with more innovative interior designs. I’m lucky that the building I live in is newly renovated as well. They usually located close to universities. While on-campus accommodations are owned by the University and situated within campus. 

The following table compares between each accommodations I have lived in according to my personal experience: 

	Stag Hill (Band D)	Manor Park (Band D)	Scape (Standard En Suite)
Value for Money (1= cheapest, 3=most expensive)	1	2	3
Room Size (1=largest, 3=smallest)	2	1	3
Communal areas and facilities	Barbecue areas	Study centre, prayer room, barbecue areas, communal areas with TV, sofas and pool table	Gym, table tennis/billiards tables, communal kitchen, meeting & study rooms, cinema, courtyard, spacious lounge
Location	Close to campus and the University GP	Close to Surrey Sports Park and Vet School	Close to town centre, train station and campus
Distance to campus (1=nearest, 3=farthest)	1 (5-10mins walk)	3 (5mins bus ride, 20-25mins walk)	2 (10-15mins walk)
Distance to laundry room (1=nearest, 3=farthest)	3 (2 laundry rooms in total)	1 (It depends on where you live, but it’s a 1min walk for me) (4 laundry rooms in total, 1 near Bellerby Court)	1 (1min walk, Scape has their own laundry rooms inside the building run by Circuit Laundry) (2 laundry rooms in total)
Distance to bus stop (1=nearest, 3=farthest)	1 (It depends on where you live, but it’s a 1min walk for me)	1 (It depends on where you live, but it’s a 1min walk for me)	3 (a 3-5mins walk)
Nearest Supermarket	Lidl, Waitrose(Town Centre), Sainsbury’s(Town Centre), M&S Foods(Town Centre) (10-20mins walk)	Tesco (10mins walk)	Lidl, Waitrose(Town Centre), Sainsbury’s(Town Centre), M&S Foods(Town Centre) (10-20mins walk)

To conclude, each of them has their own pros and cons, so I would recommend choosing the one that best suits you based on your preferences.

Moving out is a good thing to do for growth and independence. I always have been an independent person, but since I moved out, I have learned how to do things for myself and balance everything. From doing my grocery shopping, laundry and organising my meals for the week, to balancing study, friendships and a social life, it is great training for life. Undoubtedly, selecting a place to live is one of the most important choices made by students. A lot of consideration is given to factors such as cost, amenities, location, security, and many more. I hope this blog can help you decide the right accommodation for you!! To me, living in university accommodation can be a big leap from the comforts of home, but it is the perfect way to meet fellow students and make lifelong friends. 

Last but not least, just a reminder that 24/25 applications for student accommodations are now open until 1st March 2024 midnight (GMT) for September 2024 applicants. To apply, click here. 

Some useful info you might need

-Email ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk if you want to explore off-campus accommodations options

-For general enquiries about accommodations, email accommodation@surrey.ac.uk