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Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of commonly asked questions by students. Select any that may be of relevance to you for the answer you need. If you need more information please dont hesitate to contact us.
I am a part time student. Can I get a room in University of Ulster residences?
Generally speaking, part time students cannot be accommodated. However, if we have vacancies at certain times of the year, you can be considered sympathetically.Students who have a room allocated to them.
I have been allocated a room from the start of Term. When/where can I pick up my keys?
Keys will be available from the 17th of september 2007 unless otherwise notified from the Accommodation Office.I have been allocated a room from the start of the new Semester, but my travel plans or course requirements mean that I will actually arrive AFTER this date. Can I get a reduction in my residential fees as the room will not be used?
Nice try, but unfortunately the meter starts ticking from the start of the new Semester, no matter how long after that date you eventually turn up to collect your keys. And NO, we can't put somebody else into your room in the meantime, as it would have to be cleaned and made ready AGAIN for your arrival.I have been allocated a room from the start of the new semester, but my travel plans or course requirements mean that I will actually arrive PRIOR to this. Can I go straight into my room?
Yes, if your room is available before the start of term and you pay an additional fee. Alternatively, we may be able to find you another room which is not being used. Please contact the Accommodation Service for further details.I have been allocated a room, but I do not like the location of the area I have been assigned to. What do I do now?
We seldom allocate rooms to students in areas not listed as one of their preferences on their application form. However, this may have happened because your first or second preference areas are not available. You should return your reply slip explaining why you do not want to accept the offer, and we will try to match you more closely with a particular area should a vacancy occur.I have been allocated a room in University managed accommodation (off campus) when I really wanted to be on campus. Can I get it changed?
If we have vacancies (or rejected offers) on campus, we could make another offer to you, but you would have to reject your existing offer and go back on the waiting list. Alternatively, you could accept the offer made (to ensure that you at least have somewhere to live), then go on our transfer list AFTER the start of Term (this will cost you £25).Do the rooms have telephones and computer network points?
Only a small proportion of campus rooms have phone or data points. Accommodation in University managed or partner areas are more likely to have these facilities (which you would have to pay for in addition to residential fees). Please check with us in advance.What about other valuables ~ are the rooms insured for loss/damage/theft?
All students living in University Accommodation will be covered by a Block Insurance Policy. Your personal possessions will be covered against Loss/Theft/Damage up to £3,000, (subject to £25 excess). You can 'top up' this cover for a small additional charge.Can I have a fridge in my room?
Residents are only allowed a fridge in their room (supplied by the University) on medical grounds. Permission must be obtained from the Accommodation Office in advance.My friends have been allocated to rooms in the same house/apartment. Can I join them there?
Where groups have applied, and their application forms came in together, we have tried our best to accommodate them together. If there is a vacant room in that house/apartment, or if one becomes available, you can certainly be considered. You should state on your form how long you are prepared to wait, and if you would take a room in another house/ apartment in the meantime.Do you have live-in Wardens?
At the University of Ulster, we take a keen interest in the welfare of our students and 24 hour support is provided by a team of Wardens and Resident Assistants (RAs) who live in the residences. The RA's play a key role in helping students settle in to university life and in keeping general good order within the residences to create a pleasant environment for all students.Length of Stay
I have been offered a 37 week contract, which is OK, but I also need accommodation next summer to complete my dissertation. What can I do? Depending on where you are allocated, we may be able to extend your contract for the full period you require. Alternatively, you could pay for additional days/weeks on an ad-hoc basis. It is in your own interests to let us know your intentions well in advance so that we can help you better.
I am an international student and I need to stay on campus for part of Semester 1 to finish my dissertation. What should I do?
At the end of the summer we need to prepare our accommodation for new students arriving. However, we appreciate that some international students may need to stay a few weeks into the new academic year. We will try to facilitate this as much as possible, but it may mean that you will have to move to a different room (perhaps more than once). Please contact the Accommodation Service well in advance.I only require accommodation for the period September to Christmas, as I am returning home/going on placement in early January. However, my offer of accommodation requires me to sign up until the end of January. I think this is unfair. Can you let me have a refund?
Unfortunately not. We can only keep residential fees for all students at affordable levels if we have high rates of occupancy. A one semester contract is the shortest we can offer to help us achieve this. However, if you can find a new student to take up the balance of your contract period, or if we know of someone arriving before the start of Semester 2, a refund may be possibleWhat if I change my mind or find alternative accommodation before I am due to move into my room? Can I get my BOOKING FEE back?
Once you have firmly accepted an offer, your BOOKING FEE is non-refundable. You will also be responsible for paying the FULL residential fees until the room is re-allocated and the offer accepted.When I move to University, should I change my address for correspondence?
Yes! If you are going to live on campus, your address will be the Accommodation Office. If you have been assigned to off-campus or partner Residences, your new address will be set out on your letter of offer. Click Here to let everybody know your new address.What payment arrangements are offered?
Details regarding payment for your accommodation will be confirmed when you are notified of your room allocation. If you have difficulty paying on the dates specified, we can help with a deferred payment plan. Please check with the Accommodation Service about this.Health and Safety
I have been told candles are not allowed in residences. Why is that?
Candles are a serious fire hazard and must not be brought into any part of the Residences. University staff will confiscate any candles found so please do not bring or buy them for use in your accommodation.Are there designated non smoking areas of residences?
Smoking is prohibited in communal areas such as kitchens and corridors. You may, however, smoke in your own study bedroom. We do our best to allocate smokers together where possible, but it is largely a matter for mutual agreement amongst those who share the accommodation. If you cannot tolerate smoking and those you live with are smokers, please contact your Resident Assistant in the first instance.Are any supplies provided for us in the rooms?
No. You need to bring any personal essentials with you. Such as bedding, towels, crockery, pots and pans etc. or a portable TV if you like. You are only provided with the room as standard.| allunied.com | UNIBOX.com |
Facilities Available
What payphone facilities are there?
Payphones are provided in University residences. All accept incoming calls and are located in corridors, entrance halls and common rooms.Are there facilities for washing laundry?
On campus, there are fully equipped self-service pay-as-you-go laundry facilities. Students who live in off-campus and partner accommodation have their own washing facilities (some apartments have their own washers/driers), but are welcome to bring their laundry to campus if this is more convenient. Laundry costs £1.00 per wash and £1.00 per dry.I would like to bring my car to the University. What car parking facilities are available?
From September 2003, new parking regulations come into force on campus, for which there will be a daily or annual charge, Please Click Here for further details. Residents in off-campus complexes still have the benefit of free parking.
FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE ON THE WAITING LIST
I have been told that I am on the waiting list for accommodation. What does this mean?
This means that we have no rooms available to match with the preferences you stated on your accommodation application form. We maintain a waiting list of students in order of the date received. When a vacancy occurs in an area to match your preferences, we will contact the next student on the waiting list. Please note that the waiting list is sub-divided by gender and by year. So, if a vacancy arises in an area set aside for final year students, an offer will not be made to first year students; similarly, if a vacancy occurs in an area set aside for a first year girl, an offer will not be made to a first year boy.
Can I change my preferences to increase my chances of getting a room?
The simple answer is YES. The demand for some residential areas may not be as great as for others. By widening your choice of location, you widen your chances of being allocated a room.
How long will I have to stay on the waiting list?
It is hard to say as we are literally waiting for other students to drop out. Some do this before term starts, others may find that they don't like living in University accommodation or have chosen the wrong course, so they may leave days or weeks after the start of term.
What if I change my mind about staying on the waiting list, or find alternative accommodation? Can I get my BOOKING FEE back?
Yes, you can ask for your application to be cancelled and your Booking Fee will be returned in full.
Rather than stay on the Waiting List, what other options are open to me?
You could try to find accommodation in the private rented sector.
How do we find out who our room mates are?
Unfortunately there is no way of knowing who your room mates are or how to contact them as we are not obligated to provide that information.You will know once you have arrived and settled in.
Are any supplies provided for us in the rooms?
No. You need to bring any personal essentials with you. Such as bedding, towels, crockery, pots and pans etc. or a portable TV if you like. You are only provided with the room as standard.
How can we access the internet? Are there many computers available?
Yes. As of septmeber 2007 all rooms on campus will be fitted with broadband access as standard. Although you will need to provide your own computer if you want to gain access to it. There are a number of computer labs available also within the universities on each of our campuses, which are all configured for intranet and internet use.
Please contact your faculty office for information on this.
Do you reccommend that I open a bank account once I arrive?
It would probably be in your best interests to open a bank account. For more informtaion contact the International office who will assist you on what steps to take.