Glasney Parc

Glasney Parc is the name of the student residences on the Tremough Campus, Penryn. Like the wider campus, Glasney Parc is shared between University College Falmouth and University of Exeter Cornwall Campus.  There have been three stages so far to Glasney Parc, although all three stages are identical in all but the most minor of details. 

There are a series of flats throughout campus. Some are just over five years old, whereas others are new for entry in 2009. In total there are three phases of development for Glasney Parc - Glasney Parc, Glasney Parc 2 and Glasney Parc 2b. Each stage of the development is made up of a series of blocks, and each of these contains a number of flats. Generally the older units have a lower height, with entry into the vast majority of flats in the original Glasney Parc being without the need for stairs.

Regardless of location, the vast majority of flats within Glasney Parc, Glasney Parc 2 and presumably Glasney Parc 2b have a similar layout. This is seven rooms to each flat, with each flat containing one communal kitchen. Whilst there is no other communal room, the kitchen is large enough for relaxing as a flat in (or student parties) as described in the 'communal areas' section below.  Up until now, and presumably in the future too, the flats are completely mixed, both in sex, age and course (across both institutions).  This leads to a good mix of people in each flat, and having leads to everyone having at least two sets of friends - those from their flat and those from their course.

All rooms throughout all stages of Glasney are virtually identical. All rooms are en-suite. These contain a power shower, toilet and handbasin, and are not as cramped as one would imagine. The vast majority of rooms contain a double bed although there are a few exceptions. There are a few rooms with bunk beds for those who want to share a room at a slightly discounted rate, and there are some disabled rooms. The disabled rooms have only a single bed, which leads to more space in the room and a larger, disability friendly, ensuite. In addition there is plenty of storage space for clothes, books etc. There is a very large desk in all rooms, and this is big enough for three or four people to comfortably work side by side. There is a safe in all rooms, which is useful for those students with bars of gold lying around! When I was at Glasney insurance was included in the rent price, and I assume that the same happens now. There are a large number of plug sockets in each room (from memory at least 10), as well as ports for radio and TV, although obviously if choosing to have a TV a licence needs to be purchased. In addition there is a phone, and socket for super-fast broadband. Internal phonecalls, and incoming calls are free - however there is a charge for outgoing calls and the broadband (less than £100 for the academic year). Whilst I was living on campus having kitchen equipment like fridges, microwaves, kettles isn't allowed in the rooms due to environmental reasons, but I know people who did and they didn't get fined, although obviously if the rules are still the same and you do have such equipment you are taking a risk! However, I believe that if there was the need for medical reasons (eg insulin for diabetics), such equipment is allowed. The cost for the current academic year is approximately £100 per week for the rooms for a 40 week contract, although this is likely to go up for future years. This also includes all communal areas, and all utilities - so no need to worry about paying gas, electricity bills etc. Finally, the rooms are also cleaned fortnightly and this service is also included within the rent.

The communal areas of each flat basically include a large kitchen.  This kitchen has all the facilities one would normally expect to find in the kitchen such as cooker, sinks, cupboards and fridges.  There are two large fridge freezers to be shared between the seven occupants of the flat, so this means there is plenty of room.  In addition, there is plenty of cupboard space for crockery, pots, pans and other food. 

It must be said that I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Glasney Parc. In the two years since then I have lived in two different properties, and neither has been anywhere near as nice as Glasney Parc. Not only was the accomodation of a really good quality, but the staff were also really helpful - and it was good to be able to wake up in the morning at 8.50 and still manage to get to 9am lectures on time! However, despite these great points the best thing about Glasney Parc was I made friends for life with people I shared my flat with, and if it wasn't for being put in the same flat I probably would have never met them as we did varying courses.  I would definately recommend Glasney Parc to any students about to start a course at the Tremough Campus.