Home › Accommodation

FAQ


Here are a few frequently asked questions, but if there's anything at all you're not sure about please do e-mail the hostels rep - I'm always happy to help!


How does the ballot work?

After your first year, rooms are allocated based on a ballot system - names are drawn out of a hat and you can choose from the available rooms in the order drawn.  In Lent term of the first year, you can choose to form groups of up to 4 people who wish to ballot together.  This means that your names will be drawn together, but not that you have to live together (or, indeed, that you will necessarily be able to live together).

The order of choosing rooms for the third year is the reverse of that for the second year, i.e. if you are at the bottom of the ballot when it is drawn in your first year, you will be at the top when you have to choose next year.  Third years on four year courses are inserted into the ballot between positions 30 and 99.

The order of ballot is scholars (students who attained a first class mark in the previous year's examinations) first, followed by current second and third years, and finally freshers An approximate timetable can be found here.

The actual process of choosing a room is straightforward. The Hostels Rep organises weekly meetings at which the next 20 or so people on the ballot choose one of the remaining available rooms in ballot order. You will be sent a letter by the Hostels Rep about a week before the meeting informing you of the time and place.

Back to the top

What is the scholars' ballot?

One of the rewards of getting a First at Pembroke (in addition to a cash bonus!) is that you get to choose a nicer room.  There are two annual scholars' ballots: the first is in the summer, immediately after the results are published, and the second is in November.

When results are published, a number of rooms that had been previously reserved are released. These rooms are always in college, and are often sets, i.e. rooms that have both a study and a bedroom, and sometimes a kitchen. Students who get a First are invited to swap the room they had already chosen for one of these "scholars" rooms', in which case the room originally chosen becomes available to the waiting list (see below). Alternatively they can choose to keep the room they have and defer their First to the following year, in which case they choose in the November ballot. This is the first ballot of the year, so in addition to many college rooms, hostel rooms are also available. Some rooms, however are reserved for the summer ballot (these rooms differ from year to year).

The order of the scholars' ballot is determined by the original ballot. Current third years choose their scholars' rooms first, followed by current second years, in the reverse order to the original ballot list.

Back to the top

What if I get a First, defer my scholar's room, and then get a First again?

You can upgrade your scholar's room to an even nicer one, if you so wish!

Back to the top

What is the waiting list?

The bottom 35 or so people on the first year ballot (actual numbers vary from year to year) are given the choice of either choosing one of the remaining available rooms, or opting onto the waiting list. Students on the waiting list choose their room during the summer vacation, after the summer scholars' ballot. Rooms that the summer scholars give up, and any remaining scholar's rooms, can then be chosen by the waiting list in ballot order.

There are always fewer places on the waiting list than students to which it is offered (for example, there might be 25 places but it is offered to the bottom 35). As a result, those at the very bottom of the ballot have to choose the remaining rooms if the waiting list is already full. But, in compensation, these students are at the very top of the ballot come the second year!

Back to the top

What if I'm on the waiting list, but I'm away during the acation?

You can nominate someone else to choose your room for you: perhaps a friend or a parent.

Back to the top

If I choose a split set, do I decide who I share it with?

There are some split sets in college, in M and O staircases. Each set has a kitchen and two bedrooms, usually one of which (the A room) is larger than the other, and is shared by two students. The student who chooses the room takes the A room, and can choose anyone lower on the ballot to take the B room, thus pulling them up the ballot.

When you choose a split set you MUST choose someone to go into the B room. If you then get a First and choose to upgrade your scholars' room, you must find someone to replace you (unless, of course, you both get Firsts and upgrade).

Back to the top

What if I have a year abroad?

Students whose course includes a year abroad (e.g. MML, or any course with a year at MIT) will choose accommodation for a forth year at the same time as the rest of their year group. Only rooms that have not already been taken may be chosen. In other words, if someone higher in the ballot has already chosen a room for their third year, that room may not be chosen for the forth year of an MML student. In this way their position on the ballot will not be affected.

Back to the top

What if I'm staying for a fourth year?

If you are registered on a four year course, you stay in undergrad accommodation for your fourth year. Third years staying for a fourth year may again form groups of up to 4 people, and are intercalated into the second year ballot between positions 30 and 99.

On the other hand, if you are on a three year course but then opt to stay another year for an MPhil, business and management course etc., you are counted as a grad and can choose to stay in graduate accommodation. Maths Part III students are counted as graduates, but NatSci and Engineering Part III students are undergrads. More information on graduate accommodation can be found on the college website, here.

Back to the top

Do I still have to move all my stuff home every vacation after the first year?

Second years living in hostels outside college, and third years either in college or in hostels, can leave rooms as they are over the Christmas and Easter vacations. However, College do not take responsibility for any valuables left in the room, and it should be left sufficiently tidy for it to be cleaned and any maintenance work to be carried out.

Second years living in college do still have to move their belongings out of the room every vacation, as College uses the rooms.

Back to the top

When do I have to vacate my room, and when can I come back?

First and second years in college must vacate the room by 10am on the Saturday immediately after the end of Full Term (which is always a Friday). You can return on (or after) the Saturday preceding the beginning of Full Term (on a Tuesday). Second years out of college and third and fourth years can stay an extra week at the end of term, and may return a week early at the beginning.

Back to the top

What if I need to stay here during the holidays?

Students with a valid reason are usually able to stay in college accommodation during the vacation. Toward the end of term Caroline Adams always sends a letter informing students of when they have to vacate the room, with an attached form for those requesting extended stay - fill in the form and get your tutor to sign it. You may not be able to stay in your current room, however.

Students that wish to stay during the Long Vacation should see Caroline Adams as early as possible in Easter Term, as College does use the majority of its room for summer programs etc.

Back to the top

My room is too cold. Where can I get an electric heater?

From Caroline Adams, in the linen room on N staircase. There is no charge.

Back to the top

Something has broken in my room.  How do I get it fixed?

There is a book in the plodge (ask the porters) - write down the problem and a nice maintenance man will come and fix it as soon as possible. Or, if it's a simple bulb blown, the porters can give you a new bulb.