Living in Halls

It can feel a bit overwhelming moving away from home. Here are our 5 tips and tricks to make living in university accommodation a bit simpler. 

Tip One: Save security's phone number.

Save the security team's phone number. There may come a time where you have locked yourself out or you see something suspicious. Having the security phone number saved on your phone can ensure out of hours support can reach you sooner.

Security team's phone number can be found below:

- Central Number: 01228547662
- Ambleside: 07809190531
- Carlisle Fusehill Street: 07809190530
- Carlisle Brampton Road: 07809190541 (Till 10.30pm Mon – Fri) 07809190530 (on weekends)
- Lancaster: 07809190566

Tip Two: Register to the local GP.

It is really important you register to the local GP as soon as you arrive. It is super easy to sign up and takes a few minutes. You can find your local GP and register here. It is better to have a local GP and never use them, then need it and not be registered.

Tip Three: Create a flat cleaning rota.

Stick to a flat cleaning rota. By dividing up the tasks, it helps to keep your kitchen nice and clean and avoid you failing the weekly kitchen inspection. The university provides a Cleaning Rota but do feel free to make your own.

Tip Four: Get involved in all events and group.

Being at university is the prime time to find what you enjoy; you will be spending a lot of time in and around campus so get the most out of the university socials. Have a look at the Student Union groups page to find events throughout the academic year.

Tip Five: Save your washing.

Doing laundry at university can be expensive, especially if you are doing it constantly. The trick is to do a big load once instead of lots of little ones. The washing machines at university are big so they can hold a considerable amount of clothes. This helps you save money and time.

Accommodation Payment - Bookings (40/42 bookings, Term 1,2,3 and January Start)

You should be emailed with an invoice to pay during the start of each term. These come out in September, January and April. Once generated, you will receive a link to your invoice, which you can use to log in and make payment.  This process can take up to 24 hours after the invoice is issued.

Please be reminded that you will be unable to see your invoice untill it has been generated and an email has been sent you to confirm this. 

Payments with an invoice to be paid in £ sterling can be made here. Visit the update card details page to update or change your card details. You will only be able to see the amount once the invoice has been generated.

If you wish to pay in another currency then you can pay here - payment is by credit card or by bank transfer to local bank.

Please note that it is very important to pay your invoice as soon as it is available and open to pay. Failure to make payment once the invoice is open may result in debt proceedings being initiated.

If you have already made payment in full, you can disregard this infomation.

Accommodation Payment - Short Stays

If you are requring a short stay, you will need to contact the accommodation team to organise this. After the accommodation team has confirmed your booking, you will be emailed with confirmation of this and details on how to pay via our Online Store. You will need to put in the amount manually.

If you need to be re-sent the payment link for your short stay please get in touch with the campus accommodation team directly. 

• Please report any general maintenance issues by clicking here.
• To report a problem with your internet please click here and inform the Accommodation team. 
• To report a problem with the laundry please click here and inform the Accommodation team. 

Here you can find useful documents and information while you are in living in our halls.

Conditions of Residence:

• Condition of Residence 2025-2026
• Condition of Residence (Sanctuary Scholarship)
• Conditions of Residence Headlease 2025-26

Wifi (Glide)

• How to get signed up step by step:Glide - Getting Set Up
• To Log into Glide please click here: https://my.glidestudent.co.uk/account/login 
• To report a problem with your internet please click here: https://glide.co.uk/help-and-support/  

Laundry (Circuit)

• How to get signed up step by step: Circuit Laundry
• Circuit Laundry How-To Video
• To get the circuit go app: https://circuit-go.com/download-circuit-go/  
• Something Wrong? If you find a machine out of order or need to report a fault, please contact https://circuit-go.com/support/ in the launderette and inform Accommodation Services. 

Insurance (Howdens)

• Howden’s Content’s Insurance Document 25/26.
• To Register please click here: https://studentlinks.howdengroup.com/rOJ4/universityofcumbria

You can also download the Howden for Students App via the links below. 

• Website: Login to Howden for Students 
• Apple Store: Howden for Students on the App Store 
• Android Store/Google Play: Howden for Students – Apps on Google Play 

Other useful documents:

• Catering Leaflet
• Car Parking
• Damage charge list
• Halls Handbook
• Prohibited Items
• Snow and Ice Response Policy
• What to bring to University Checklist

Fire safety is extremely important, to refresh yourself of the university's fire safety policies and procedures, read on.

• Fire alarm checks are every Wednesday morning.  

• If the alarm sounds for more than 30 seconds, please leave the building and head to the designated Fire Assembly Point. In the event of a real fire, do not attempt to tackle it, as you are not trained to use the fire extinguishers. Call 999, ask for the fire brigade, and provide your location whilst heading to your Fire Assembly Point. 

Our 6 minute fire safety video provides a useful refresher of fire safety guidance. The video opens in YouTube.

Fire Assembly Points: All Fire Assembly Points are marked with the following image or similar.

All halls of residence Fire Assembly Points are as follows:

• Ambleside (Fell Court, Helvellyn, Wansfell, Fairfield): On the accommodation car park.
• Ambleside (Cottages): On the gravel next to the Barrowdale (The Stores).
• Ambleside (Greenbank North and South): Outside Scale How. 
• Lancaster: Next to the bike shed. 
• Fusehill Street: Next to the car park near halls.
• Brampton Road: Next to the car park near halls.

Designated Smoking Area:

Ambleside:Behind the fell court properties.

Lancaster: Next to the bike shed. 

Fusehil: The accommodation courtayrd.

Brampton Road: Opposite the front door across the road.

Getting post delivered to your accommodation address is easy and simple.

When ordering parcels, please use the following address format:

Letters and envelopes will be delivered directly to your flat, either through your letterbox or via the main door. Your postbox key can be found in your kitchen.

If you have ordered a parcel, this will be delivered to the Campus Reception, where you will be able to collect it. Please remember to bring your Student ID when collecting parcels. Some campuses will also send you an email notification when a parcel has arrived. If you wish to collect a parcel out of hours, please contact Security, who will be able to advise or assist where possible.

If your parcel requires a delivery code to confirm receipt, please ensure the Reception team are provided with the code. Without this information, the parcel will not be able to be delivered.

Lancaster: lancaster.reception@cumbria.ac.uk

Ambleside: ambleside.reception@cumbria.ac.uk 

Fusehill Street: carlisle.reception@cumbria.ac.uk 

Brampton Road: brampton.reception@cumbria.ac.uk 

All appliance manuals can be found in your kitchen. If you require an electronic verison, see our appliance manuals page.

Moving away from home is a big step in everyone's life, but here at the University of Cumbria we want to make that process as smooth as possible. It is important to remember that homesickness is common when moving away from home, and you are not alone. The National Union of Students (NUS) states that homesickness affects between 50-70% of students during the first few months at university.

Homesickness can make you feel: scared, alone, isolated, sad, confused, sick, or a combination of these and other feelings.

And leave you to think:

• “I want to go home”
• “I don't fit in here”
• “I feel very lonely”
• “I miss my friends and family back home”
• “I don't like my course”

Here you can find some helpful tips which may help make the adjudgments easier:

- Join a Society: Joining a club or society is a great way to meet like-minded people with similar interests and hobbies. Find out what groups are available to you on the Students Union website.

- Mental and emotional support: It is important you remember that your thoughts and emotions are valid. Here the University of Cumbria is staffed by qualified Mental Health Practitioners and Trainee Counsellors, and offers appointments to students Monday - Friday. Appointments are available between 9.00am and 4.00pm, with a limited number of early evening appointments. Approximately 1 in 12 students at the university seeks some support from the Talking Therapy Service. To book an appointment, click the self-referral form.

- Create a routine: There are numerous benefits to establishing a routine, from reducing stress to making your time as productive as possible. This can be particularly useful for planning and completing assignments.However, not everyone benefits from routine, and therefore it is important to find the right balance for you.

- Look out for yourself: Making sure you get enough physical exercise has numerous mental and physical benefits. Apart from exercise, make sure you get the correct amount of sleep and eat a balanced diet. Join the university's sports centre.

During your time at university accommodation, you will have weekly kitchen inspections. 

Your Kitchen Inspection days are the following: 

• Ambleside: Monday  

• Lancaster: Monday for Waddell North and Thursday for Waddell South

• Fusehill Street: Wednesday

• Brampton Road: Tuesday  

Follow the tips below to ensure your kitchen passes:

• Brush, vacuum and mop the floor. Including around the cooker.
• Wash and tidy away your dishes.
• Clear and clean all surfaces – sink, kitchen units, table and inside of your fridge.
• Empty the bins and remove recycling.
• Clean the inside of the microwave.
• Clean the cooker (inside and hob top)
• Tidy up the corridor and remove all obstructions.

These tasks can easily be divided with your housemates. The university provides a rota but do feel free to make your own as a group.

Domestic services will clean your communal areas weekly, this does not include your kitchen.

The domestics team will also leave black and clear bin bags for your communal bins on a weekly basis. If you run out or require additional bags, please let the Accommodation team know.

Domestic Services communal clean days:

Ambleside: 

Monday: The cottages
Tuesday: Helvellyn and Yewbarrow​
Wednesday: Fairfield, Castle and Eaglecrag​
Thursday: Wansfell, Fellbarrow and Stybarrow​
Friday: Rosthwaite and Seathwaite

Lancaster: 

Wednesday: Waddell North
Thursday: Waddell South 

Fusehill Street: 

Tuesday: Block 3 
Wednesday: Block 2 
Thursday: Block 1 

Brampton Road: 

Monday: Block A 
Tuesday: Block B 
Wednesday: Block C 

Mid-Term Inspections

Mid-term inspections take place twice during the academic year:

• November

• February

These inspections are carried out to ensure that you are living in a safe and suitable environment.

What are mid-term inspections?

Mid-term inspections are routine checks of university accommodation. You will be emailed at least 7 days in advance with the dates when we will be accessing your room.

Access is required to all areas of the accommodation, including:

• Your bedroom

• Communal areas (such as kitchens and shared spaces)

On the day of the inspection, a member of the accommodation team will knock on your door before entering. They will then check for:

• Damage

• Cleanliness

• Fire safety risks

• Prohibited items

Prohibited items

Some common prohibited items include:

• Non–surge-protected extension leads

• Fairy lights

• Candles

A full list of prohibited items can be found here.

What happens if a prohibited item is found?

If a prohibited item is identified, it will be confiscated and removed. You will receive an email confirming:

• What item has been taken

• When and how you can collect it (if applicable)

Can you fail a mid-term inspection?

Yes. You may fail a mid-term inspection if your room is:

• Untidy or dirty

• A fire hazard

• Unsafe to live in

If you fail, a reinspection will be arranged.

To avoid this, please ensure your room is clean, tidy, and ready for checks before the inspection takes place.

Please be assured that mid-term inspections are not about being nosy or invading your privacy. These checks are carried out purely to ensure your safety and wellbeing, and to make sure accommodation remains a safe place for everyone to live. Our aim is to support you and identify any potential issues early and not to judge how you live.