Picture the scene. It’s results day, and you’ve just found out you’ve secured your place at the University of Salford (woo!), but you haven’t actually booked your accommodation so you don’t have anywhere to live at university (boo!). That was me in first year and after a few phone calls, I eventually made my way to John Lester & Eddie Colman Courts near our University’s Frederick Road campus.
I really liked living here in my first year. There was a real sense of community in the way that everyone sort of knew everyone, or knew someone that did. On my second day here, I had a lovely field trip with my new friends to MediaCity and was singing Nicki Minaj’s “Superbass” on karaoke in the common room! John Lester & Eddie Colman Courts are also really good if you’re on a one year course, an International student, or you’re starting on different intake outside of September.
If you’re starting at Salford, you might want to live at Peel Park Quarter in your first year. This accommodation is exclusively for first year undergraduate students and you’ll be able to book a place here in the spring, so keep an eye out on your emails closer to the time and book early if you’re really wanting to stay here.
If you’re living in Salford beyond first year and wanting to move in with people from your course or first year flat, or you’re not wanting to stay at the previously mentioned halls, you might want to live in private housing. The University doesn’t officially endorse any landlords or agents outside of Peel Park Quarter & John Lester/Eddie Colman, but there’s a list of well-known operators in the private rental market on our website, as well as advice on how to stay safe from rental scams.
Finding accommodation can be difficult at times. I inadvertently ended up with a short straw when trying to move in with my friends in second and third year, but it meant I got to stay at John Lester/Eddie Colman once again and make some more great memories (albeit with less singing of Nicki Minaj), so don’t worry if you haven’t managed to secure something straight away as new places appear all the time!