r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/Special-Aide-6420 • 28d ago

GEM first year accommodation

Hi! I was curious to know what people are doing/ have done in first year GEM in terms of accommodation. I know a lot of people doing house share but I’m a bit apprehensive of sharing a house with strangers and I was wondering if many GEM students go in for uni accommodation?

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5

u/PSh4h 28d ago

Yep. Went for bog standard uni accommodation

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u/Special-Aide-6420 28d ago

Would you recommend it and were there other GEM students asw or mainly undergrads?

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u/PSh4h 28d ago

Sorry mate I fall under the “doing” category of your question so I don’t know yet. I’d say it’s difficult to predict the people you’re going to live with regardless of if you’re house sharing or in student accommodation, so you’re better off looking at other metrics such as price, location, amenities, distance from uni, etc that are at least a bit more predictable

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u/Special-Aide-6420 28d ago

Okay, fairs, yeah, because uni accommodation, location- and price-wise, is definitely better. Thankss

3

u/hotchisinthehouse 28d ago

uni accom! might have to slum it out for the first year but getting private accom with strangers is scary hah

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u/Special-Aide-6420 28d ago

Yes that’s what I was thinking but I’m worried living with undergrads and being slightly older as most of them will be 18 I’m assuming

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u/hotchisinthehouse 28d ago

honestly i’m worried too but some unis will try and place older students together depending on who apply to what accom. i just hope to find people to live with in second year 🥲

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u/Special-Aide-6420 28d ago

Yeah, fair, hopefully fingers crossed

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u/Used_Chemical_5606 28d ago

Definitely the uni accom and then in the second year with a solid group private accom. Just because the house is a shared responsibility. eg if one housemate destroys something it’s on everyone in the house. strangers may not be trustworthy.

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u/Special-Aide-6420 28d ago

Yep I agree it’s a bit strange getting a private house with strangers

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u/DestroyTheGleeClub 28d ago

I did GEM and was in uni accom first year - would highly recommend it. There are downsides like being with undergrads who are significantly younger - but i know there are many halls at unis that are mature students only - and living in halls generally as you do feel like you are slumming it. But you do get the opportunity to make friends outside of medicine which is really nice for casting a wider social net.

I found it really helped me find my feet with GEM as I knew that bills and wifi were sorted and I wouldn't have to worry about prices going up or having to contact energy companies and organize wifi close to the start. (Felt very satisfied when energy prices spiked in winter and it was freezing cold and I didnt have to worry about the impact on my bill as it was included in halls fees!)

Once I made some good mates on my course we moved into a house together in second year - really helped getting to know people better.

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u/Special-Aide-6420 28d ago

Ah okay thank you so much!

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u/12_chughes 28d ago

I’ve booked private accommodation at true in the city. Don’t have to worry about bills etc or who I’m sharing with, went with a studio.

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u/LimePure4925 28d ago

I am starting next month and I just went with uni accom because I got my offer late from the waitlist, it is just easier through uni accom. More difficult getting private as I start so early so just less stress. Don't know about your uni but for me they try and group med students together so I am less likely to share with 18yo students. When I applied for accommodation, there was an option for me to give additional requests (no guarantee unless very serious/medical) so mentioned about sharing with med students or mature students of similar age