Student Accommodation in Plymouth and Portsmouth

All our accommodation is carefully chosen and monitored to ensure that high standards are maintained and that you will be comfortable and happy while at our schools [2]. We keep in close touch with all our accommodation providers and students to ensure quality.

The accommodation is selected before you arrive. If you book a programme at short notice, the accommodation officers will naturally do their best to find the accommodation type you require, but we would advise you to book your accommodation at least four weeks before the date of your arrival to guarantee the type you require.

Our Accommodation Manager will be pleased to arrange accommodation for you. You can choose from:

Homestay

Click here to see Homestay pictures [3]

You live in a house as though you are at home. You have your own key and come and go as you please paying respect to the host. We recommend homestay accommodation for those who wish to benefit from home comforts and atmosphere.

Staying in a homestay is probably also the best way to practice your English and generally learn about the British way of life. If two
applicants are placed within the same household, we try to ensure they are not of the same nationality, and, therefore, English is spoken at all times! We do our best to ensure all homestays are a maximum of 30 minutes by bus from the school or work place.

There are three types of Homestay

First Class

The home is decorated to a luxurious standard. You will have a room to yourself in a large home with ensuite or a dedicated guest bathroom.

You will experience British eating at its best, wine will be served with your main meal and the little extras you would expect. Your hosts will be welcoming, informed and engaging.

Business Class

The home is decorated to a high standard. You will have a room to yourself in a large home with access to a guest bathroom.

You will experience British eating at its best and there will be wine served with your main meal. Your hosts will be welcoming, informed and engaging.

Standard

The home is decorated to a good standard. You will share a room with one other person or you can upgrade to a room to yourself. You will share bathroom/s and other facilities with the members of the household and/or their guests.

There will be no more than three other guests from other countries staying in the home. Your dining will reflect the diversity of the region. Your hosts will be welcoming and engaging.

There are two food options available with Homestay:

Full Board

This is where you have a bed, breakfast, packed lunch (sandwich, chocolate bar and fruit), and evening meal 7 days a week.

Half Board

This is the same as above but without the packed lunch. You may choose this option if you want to buy your own lunch. It is popular with our more senior students who want to try out a restaurant or cafe.

*Host Family Half Board accommodation includes breakfast and evening meals from Monday to Friday and breakfast, lunch and evening meal on the weekends and bank holidays.

Young People (Juniors)

Homestay accommodation is suitable for young people. The accommodation is inspected and categorized as safe for young persons.

The accommodation host provides a disclosure declaration in relation to having no criminal convictions.

Private Home

Click here to see Private Home pictures [3]

There are two types of private home

Private Home Full or Half board

This is an alternative way of living with a family. You can choose full-board or half-board. You have use of all the facilities within the house. e.g. kitchen, washing facilities etc, subject to the house rules.

Self-catering

(Check with Meridian for availability first)
This is where you may or may not live with a family but you are responsible for buying and cooking your own food, you may also be responsible for doing your own cleaning and laundry. Note: very basic. You may need to bring your own bedding, towels, cooking items etc - check with Meridian.

Bed & Breakfast Guesthouse

This is generally a large house or small hotel. Bed and Breakfast accommodation provides only a room and breakfast. It does not include other meals or laundry which must be paid for separately.

Hotel

You get a bedroom to yourself and you have a choice of traditional English or Continental breakfast in the hotel. It does not include other meals or laundry which must be paid for separately. There are different hotel options available dependent on your budget.

University Student Residence

Click here to see Student Residence pictures [4]

Discovery Heights and Central Point are the two Unite buildings offering accommodation for ELT participants in 2012. Both sites are located in the city centre just 10 -15 minutes’ walk from Swarthmore Centre. Both have bus links direct to Swarthmore Centre if needed. Discovery Heights (next to Drakes Circus) offers a minimum of 12 rooms while Central Point (next to the big screen) offers currently 4 rooms.

Both sites have reception facilities with administrative staff and 24 hour security service. Essential maintenance requests can be made electronically with acknowledgments of each request.

Each room has a single bed, a wardrobe, writing facilities and laptop space. Central heating is throughout the apartment and can be independently controlled in each bedroom. Access to the internet is available throughout the building. The rooms are well ventilated and bright.

A Linen service is available at a one off fee of £30 for sheets and towelling for the duration of the stay. A Laundrette is on site for both washing and drying.

The communal area is comprised of a kitchen/diner and lounge area. Saucepans, crockery and utensils are provided. The Cleaning of the building is undertaken by the landlord up to the front door of each apartment. The cleaning is the responsibility of each tenant in each apartment.

The cost per room is £120 per week per person. If you are staying for 8 weeks or less, we require full payment. Please contact us if you are making a booking for more than 8 weeks for other payment arrangements