Graduate Accommodation at Emma
Emmanuel has about 95 graduate rooms to offer to about 150 students. Most are in houses inhabited only by graduates, a varying distance from the main college site. Advantages to college accommodation include living with other MCR members, lower rents than comparable accommodation in the private sector, easier access to a fast Internet connection, bedders (cleaners), and high-speed internet access.
Room Allocation
The College aims to provide at least enough single rooms for the following categories of graduates:
- All students on one-year courses
- Accommodation for that year
- Clinical Medics and Vets
- Accommodated for the whole course
- Diploma of Architecture
- Accommodated for the whole course
- Overseas and EU (not Irish) PhD students
- Accommodated for the whole course
- UK and Irish PhD students
- Accommodated in first year
Accommodation for students starting their courses is allocated by the Graduate Tutor through a system devised by the MCR Accommodation Working Party, which was approved late in 2004.
In the Lent Term graduate students who will be continuing their course in the following academic year have the opportunity to select their rooms from a list of available rooms in an order determined by ballot. The order of priority in the ballot is:
- Students in the above categories,
- 2nd year PhD students who have only had one year in College accommodation as a graduate,
- 2nd year PhD students who have had two or more year in College accommodation as a graduate,
- 3rd year PhD students.
PhD students who are going to over-run their three years and who apply to the Graduate Tutor may be allocated rooms if there are any available at the beginning of September.
[top]Accommodation for Couples
Emmanuel has a number of flats which are available to students of the College who live with their partners. These are primarily for married students who do not have families (though babies under the age of one would be allowed) but members who are in long-term relationships can apply for a flat and College will consider each application on its own merit. Since the number of flats is fairly low, it is suggested that members contact the Graduate Tutor as soon as possible if they are thinking of applying for this accommodation.
[top]Rooms Database - Not Yet Implemented
In order to help graduates make an informed choice, the MCR committee have created a database of college rooms which allows graduates to upload information about their current room for people to read.
Before the ballot takes place, the MCR will invite people to submit information about their current rooms via this website.
[top]Reviews of College Accommodation
The MCR committee regularly surveys all college-owned graduate houses and publishes compiled reports which review detail the main improvements that are envisaged for the medium to long term.
[top]What if I don't get a room in College?
Students who do not expect to be accommodated are advised to seek accommodation well before the start of the academic year. One place to look for accommodation is the University's Accommodation Service:
- Tel: 01223 (3)38099
- Kellet Lodge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge - Click here for a map
There is no "living-out" grant but students who are not offered College accommodation and are in financial difficulties will be considered sympathetically for a Hardship Grant.
Any graduate student may choose not to accept College accommodation. If you intend to do this please let College know as soon as possible (and in any event no later than 1st September) so that the accommodation can be reallocated.
Rent Guarantee Information
A private landlord will sometimes require tenants to provide a rent guarantor, before entering into a rental agreement. This policy is often automatically applied to those whose status is "student", irrespective of income from grants or certain types of savings. The best solution to this is clearly to ask someone appropriate to be a guarantor. However, whilst most people will have someone suitable they can ask (eg parents), there can be difficulties for others; for example where the only suitable guarantors live abroad or are retired with no income.
As the college does not control or monitor the personal finances of its members, it is not usually in a position to offer this type of guarantee either. However, in the case where a college member can prove to the college that they definitely have the financial means available to fund their rent for the duration of the proposed contract, the college will be prepared to pass on this guarantee. Those wishing to seek assistance in this way should contact the Bursar (bursar@emma.cam.ac.uk), to discuss their specific circumstances.
[top]Moving Out
When the time comes for you to leave College accommodation, it is your responsibility to inform College of your departure by using the Emmanuel College Exeat System (Raven login is required). Failure to do so will result in your paying additional rent! In some circumstances you can give two weeks' notice but in general you must give one month's notice before you leave College housing.
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