Frequently asked questions

Application process

If you have any queries which haven't been answered here, please contact us.

How do I apply for accommodation?

You can apply for our on-campus student accommodation online.

How much will it cost me?

You can find details of our current rent costs and payment options here.

Is anything else included in the rent?

Your rent covers internet, wi-fi, gas, electricity, and water.

Does it matter if I don’t reply to my offer of accommodation right away?

Yes, it does. Places in our student accommodation are limited and in great demand, particularly at the start of the academic year in September. It’s really important that you reply to us by the deadline date stated in your accommodation offer email. If you don’t accept within the specified time, we may withdraw our accommodation offer to you and the room may be offered to someone else.

I will be a new student, so am I guaranteed accommodation?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee accommodation to anyone as we only have 78 spaces. We prioritise students using a number of criteria including:

• Those in their first year of study since leaving school.
• Those living a significant distance from the College.
• Those with additional support needs.
• The College is also committed to supporting students who are Care Experienced or Estranged.

We also consider other factors to ensure a good mix of students in the flats/houses, such as course studied, gender, and age. We will let you know within a month of your application if you will be offered a place, but you may find yourself on the waiting list. If that’s the case, there is still a good chance of a place becoming available as students change their minds or their circumstances change. However, if you haven’t been offered a place in our student accommodation, we strongly recommend that you start looking at private rentals.

What does the tenancy agreement look like?

The tenancy agreement is the rent contract between you and the College. Please see our Example UHI Perth Residences Tenancy Agreement for information.

Is the accommodation single gender or mixed gender?

The flats within a block are all mixed gender. We do not allow individuals of different genders to share a twin room.

I am travelling from overseas. Will I be placed in a particular flat or building?

No. The students in our accommodation are from a variety of backgrounds and countries. If you apply with friends and let us know in your application that you would like to share a flat/house, we will try to place you in the same flat/house.

If I don’t like what I have been offered and reject it, will I get another offer?

If you reject your first offer of accommodation you will be placed at the end of the waiting list. You might not receive another offer. If the reason you are rejecting your offer is because you have a special need which doesn’t fit with the offer you’ve received, then you should contact us.

If I want to move into private accommodation or leave early, can I be released from my tenancy agreement early?

No, your tenancy agreement is binding for the full academic year which includes October, December, and April recess breaks. You are financially liable for the full let period.

Is there any chance of a vacancy in the student accommodation after the start of the academic session?

There is a chance of this happening if a student withdraws from their course. Please apply to the waiting list if you would like to be notified if accommodation becomes available later.

Can I share with a friend?

If you have a friend or relative who is also coming to study at the College full-time, please add their details to your application form and we will try to place you in a flat/house together where possible.

What if I don’t get on with my flatmates?

Sometimes it can take a little time to get used to living with new people. Our on-site accommodation team and our warden are always here to help and can discuss any issues with you. Remember, we also have a really supportive Student Services team on campus.

Do I have to clear out my room during recess breaks?

No. Our student accommodation is open throughout the academic year, including the October, December, and April recess breaks, so you can stay through your entire let period.

Facilities and Accommodation Options

If you have any queries which haven't been answered here, please contact us.

What does UHI Perth supply in the student accommodation?

We have three blocks of flats and two houses located within the UHI Perth grounds. Flats have a mix of single and twin bedrooms, with each bedroom having its own en-suite shower room. Flats can accommodate up to 5 individuals each, with students sharing a kitchen and seating area in each flat. Each house has three single bedrooms, and the occupants share a bathroom, kitchen, and seating areas. Entry to each building, flat, and room is secure. All of our accommodation is strictly non-smoking.

Each flat/house has a number of bedrooms and a shared kitchen, dining, and living area. The shared area contains:

• Dining area
• Living area with sofas or chairs
• Fitted kitchen with kettle, toaster, oven, hob, microwave oven, fridge, and freezer.

Bedrooms are supplied with:

• Either one or two single beds with mattress and mattress protector
• Storage furniture (wardrobe and/or chest of drawers)
• Study desk and chair
• Electrical points
• Flat bedrooms have an en-suite shower room with shower cubicle, wash hand basin, and WC. House occupants share a bathroom which includes a bath with shower over, wash hand basin, and a WC.

I can’t cook. How will I get my meals if I’m in the student accommodation?

The main food-court is located in the Brahan Building and serves hot meals Monday-Friday 8:30am to 2pm. With a choice of hot breakfast rolls or porridge, home-made soup, chef-cooked fresh produce from the service counter, salad bar with a selection of dressed and undressed salad, wide choice of hot snacks and a selection of hot and cold drinks. There is also a Costa café located in the Brahan which is open Monday-Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm. The Brahan shop which offers filled rolls, freshly made soup, and a variety of confectionary, crisps, and newspapers is open Monday-Friday 8:30am-3pm.

There is also a refectory in the Goodlyburn building which offers breakfast and lunch options Monday-Friday 8:30am to 2pm. The Starbucks café in the Webster building is open Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 5:30pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and is another popular location for drinks, food, and socialising. Find out more about our food outlets.

Being able to cook for yourself is an important life skill and there are lots of good free recipe websites online with affordable recipes, so why not have a try! Just search for “student recipes” and you might discover a whole new talent!

What facilities are available for disabled students?

We have a limited number of rooms that have been adapted for people with restricted mobility and which are suitable for wheelchair users. We appreciate that you may have particular needs and we will always try to make adjustments to help you where possible. If you have a disability and would like to discuss living in our student accommodation, please contact our student accommodation team.

Can you guarantee I will have non-smoking accommodation?

Yes. All of our accommodation is strictly non-smoking, including on balconies.There are designated smoking shelters located across campus.

What about laundry facilities for my personal laundry?

There is a 24-hour, coin-operated, self-service laundry with automatic washing machines and tumble dryers located next to the student accommodation office.

Can I bring my car with me to Perth?

Yes. There is no charge to park in the College car park on campus, but parking is monitored by a 3^rd party firm to ensure there is no inappropriate parking (e.g. on double yellow lines or outside marked bays) and fines will be issued to anyone not following the rules.

Can I bring a bicycle with me to Perth?

Yes. The College provides a lockable bike storage space on campus just outside our blocks of flats. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and encourage students and staff to use alternative forms of low and no-carbon transport wherever possible. Please note that bicycles cannot be taken into the student accommodation buildings. If you choose to bring a bicycle to campus, please make sure it is covered under your personal contents insurance policy.

Do I need a TV license in my bedroom?

You will need a TV license if you are watching live or catch-up content via the BBC iPlayer (or other online TV services) on any device in your accommodation. Go to: https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1?WT.ac=reducedfee_students to find out more.

Can I bring my pet with me?

No, we do not allow pets of any kind in the student accommodation.

Can I have an overnight guest in the student accommodation?

Sorry, but this not permitted. We have a duty of care for all our students, and we need to be sure that only students who live in our accommodation are staying overnight. We have also found that roommates don’t like it when their flat is used by strangers. It’s important to respect others’ space.

What cooking equipment is available and what can I bring into the accommodation?

The shared kitchen in each flat/house is equipped with a hob, oven, fridge and freezer, microwave, toaster, and kettle. Any other equipment is considered a potential fire hazard under health and safety regulations. You will need to bring your own pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, utensils, and tea towels.

What else do I need to bring with me?

You will need towels, bedding (including duvet, pillows, sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover), clothes, shoes, coat hangers, bathroom supplies. Remember to bring some personal things to spruce up your room and make you feel at home, like cushions, photos, books, and any tech you might need (laptops, phone chargers etc). While we provide an iron, ironing board, sweeping brush/dustpan, and hoover, you will need to bring your own cleaning supplies like washing up liquid, surface sprays, toilet cleaner etc. Don’t forget to bring toilet paper and kitchen towel too! You’ll probably find you will share the purchase of these with your new roommates once you’re settled in. When it comes to food, we recommend bringing a few basics with you so your first couple of days will be comfortable, but you will want to see what kitchen storage spaces are available and meet your new roommates before doing a big grocery shop.

Where can I buy food and other essentials?

Perth has several large supermarkets. There is a big Tesco Extra store located along the Crieff Road, an Asda Superstore on Dunkeld Road, and a Co-Op Food store on Rannoch Road. You will also find a Farmfoods store just 5 minutes’ walk from campus.  There are also large Aldi, Lidl, and Morrison’s stores. The College’s Brahan shop is open Monday-Friday 8:30am to 3pm and offers filled rolls, freshly made soup, and a variety of confectionary, crisps, and newspapers.

Where can I study?

The Library is open Monday-Thursday 8am to 9pm, Friday 8am to 4:45pm during term-time and is also open reduced daytime hours during recess breaks (excluding the December Christmas break). Other study spaces are also located across the campus buildings.

What is there to do in the evening?

The Webster student union-link building is open Monday-Friday until 5:30pm. Our fabulous Academy of Sport and Wellbeing offers sports and leisure facilities for students at a discounted rate. This includes a multi-court sports hall, climbing wall, gym, hairdressing and beauty salons. Perth has a number of restaurants, clubs, and music venues. Thursday night is ‘Student Night’ in the town (www.drinkaware.co.uk). Find out more about Perth City and the UHI Perth student life.

Can I bring extra furniture to the student accommodation?

No, additional furniture is allowed in the student accommodation without prior written permission from the accommodation team.

What happens to my mail?

Every student has a mailbox. The on-site accommodation team will put your mail there for you. They will hold larger packages for you for a limited time only. Please make sure to include your new term-time address and let us know if you are expecting a parcel. When you leave the student accommodation you must make your own arrangements to have your mail forwarded – we do not offer a forwarding service.

If I have a problem, who do I talk to?

If you have any problems or concerns at all then please speak to the on-site accommodation team or our Student Services team. There is a wealth of support available for students at the College.

Payment

If you have any queries which haven't been answered here, please contact us.

How do I pay my rent?

You can either pay the full year’s rent upfront, or you can choose to pay 9 monthly instalment amounts (1st payment due before move-in, thereafter payments due by the 10th of each month). Full details about costs and how you can make payments are available on our costs and payment page.

What if I can’t pay the rent on time?

If you are having difficulties paying your rent, you should contact the accommodation team as soon as possible to discuss your situation. Please don’t leave it until it’s a huge problem. We have an excellent Student Funding team who can provide advice on what help is available from the College or external agencies. Don’t forget that your guarantor is liable for the rent if you can’t pay, so we will contact them if necessary.

What do you do with the data in my student accommodation application?

UHI Perth holds information about applicants who apply for, who are offered, and who enter into a contract for College/University owned and managed accommodation. We use the information to administer your application, to generate a contract, to communicate with you, to gather feedback from you, and to inform operational and strategic planning needs. Our full privacy statement in respect of accommodation applications can be viewed here.