University Centre Shrewsbury - Accommodation Guide

APPLYING FOR ACCOMMODATION

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www.chester.ac.uk

APPLICATIONS 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.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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www.chester.ac.uk

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 Assistant and the Concierge Team will help you to settle in and be there for you 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.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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www.chester.ac.uk

KEY DATES There are a couple of key dates you’ll need to bear in mind when applying for accommodation: 14th March 2022

10th June 2022

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 2022 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.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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www.chester.ac.uk

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.

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.

While we hope to soon be putting the restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic behind us, rest assured that our number one priority is always looking after our students, and we work closely with the University’s Covid Support Team to ensure appropriate support is in place to keep our residential students safe and well.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

Maria Skinner, Residential Life Team

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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.

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www.chester.ac.uk

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.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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River Severn Market Hall

Shrewsbury Library Fish Street

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www.chester.ac.uk

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.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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Tannery Accommodation

Mardol House

Tannery Accommodation

Tannery Accommodation

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Mardol House

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Tannery Accommodation

Mardol HouseM

ardol House

YOUR CHOICE All accommodation at Shrewsbury is self-catered 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.

Mardol House

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

Mardol House

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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

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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 £156.00 per week*

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

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www.chester.ac.uk

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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

www.chester.ac.uk

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 £130.00 per week*

accommodation@chester.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.

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.

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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!

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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.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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GETTING TO KNOW OUR RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT Meet Lucy, 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 Lucy 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 come from a place called Widnes. I always knew I wanted to live away from home when I went to university, and Shrewsbury seemed like the perfect place to do this.’’

What does your role as Residential Assistant entail? ‘‘My main duties include giving flat chats to the residents and being a means of support for them. Essentially, my job is to make sure everyone in the building is feeling well and providing them with help where needed. I also try to arrange accommodation events once a term if the students are up for it.’’

How have you found living in accommodation? ‘‘I have loved it. It has given me a chance to become more independent and make so many friends from all over.’’

What is your favourite thing about being Residential Assistant? ‘‘I just love having catch ups with my students regularly, they are so lovely, and it has been so nice to watch them all settle in and make friends.’’

Why did you decide to become a Residential Assistant? ‘‘I really enjoy the feeling of helping people and this felt like the perfect role for me to do that. I also saw it as a chance to gain vital experience, as I aspire to help others in my future career setting when I leave. Not only this, but I knew the comfort and calming effects the previous advisor had on me, so I really wanted to take on this role, so the new students could feel that same feeling.’’

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.’’

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What advice would you give to new students moving into accommodation for the first time? ‘‘Just to have as much fun as you can and make friends! Remember, everyone is in the same boat as you, so have the confidence to go over to people and introduce yourself. It can scary, but I promise you will have the best time!’’

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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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.”

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.chester.ac.uk

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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www.chester.ac.uk

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.

pass.chester.ac.uk 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

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.

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.

accommodation@chester.ac.uk

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www.chester.ac.uk

chester.ac.uk/accommodation

+01244 513000

accommodation@chester.ac.uk