To be catered or not be catered...

You might be wondering whether catered halls are worth it. Spoiler alert: they absolutely are! Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or someone who survives on instant noodles, catered halls offer a stress-free, sociable, and value-packed way to live while studying. Here’s why they’re a great choice:

1. No more cooking disasters 🍽️

Let’s be honest - between lectures, essays, and a packed social life, cooking three meals a day can feel like a chore. In catered halls, your meals are prepared for you, so there’s no worrying about burning pasta or living off toast. Just turn up, grab your food, and enjoy. A lifesaver during exam season!

2. Save time (and your sanity) ⏳

With catered halls, you’ll never have to factor in time for big grocery shopping trips, meal prep, or washing up. That means more time to focus on studies, sports, societies, or just the fun stuff with friends.

3. A great social atmosphere 🏡

One of the best things about catered halls is the built-in social life. Mealtimes become a great way to catch up with flatmates, meet new people, and feel part of a community. Whether it's discussing last night’s SU event or panicking about deadlines together, you’ll never eat alone (unless you want to).

4. A balanced & nutritious diet 🥗

If you’re left to your own devices, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of microwave meals and takeaways. Catered halls provide a varied and balanced menu every day, so you’ll get nutritious meals without having to think about it. There are also plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and dietary-friendly options, meaning there’s something for everyone.

5. Budgeting made easier 💰

When you’re in catered halls, your food is included in your rent, so there’s no need to stress about rising grocery prices or unexpected costs. That makes it way easier to manage your student budget, knowing you’re already covered for the majority of your food.

6. No more fighting over the kitchen 🍳

Ever lived in shared accommodation where someone never does their washing up? Or worse, your food mysteriously disappears from the fridge? In catered halls, there’s no arguing over fridge space or cleaning schedules. Just grab your meal and go.

7. Themed nights & special events 🎉

One of the hidden perks of catered halls? Themed dining nights and seasonal events! From Christmas dinners to international cuisine nights, mealtimes often turn into something a bit special. Keep an eye on the menus as they often ties into what we're celebrating on campus.

8. Meals cooked by the professionals 🧑🏾‍🍳

We have an amazing team of chefs who are professionally trained to cook tasty and varied meals every week. If you don't have much experience with cooking then this is dream come true, plus it gives you time to try cook at your own pace and not have to worry about your next meal if you mess up.

Is catered accommodation worth it?

If you want convenience, great food, and a ready-made social circle, living in catered halls at the UoN is a fantastic choice. You’ll have more time to enjoy uni life, less stress about cooking, and the added bonus of a warm meal waiting for you every day.

Still not sure? Give it a try, you might just love it! 🍽️🏡