Self-catered rooms
- Pros: Cook and eat whatever you like, practice your culinary skills, shared kitchen may be a bit bigger and if you’re savvy you could save some money.
- Cons: More cooking to do/think about, buying meals individually is more expensive, more washing up!
If you’re in a self-catered room, you’ll need to cook for yourself in your shared kitchen, or purchase individual meals from our catering outlets; if you do this regularly, you might end up spending more, although you could take advantage of the Meals in Advance Deal.
Self-catered rooms generally come with a bigger kitchen (as you’ll be using it more) and can be a good option for those that like to cook, or want the independence of doing so. Cooking with your flatmates can be a great way to get to know them.
Top tip: You can order online groceries to be delivered to your nearest college reception hub. Chipping in together with your flatmates will spread the cost of delivery and save you a walk with heavy bags.
Other considerations
Campus East - weekly college meal
All rooms on Campus East (Langwith, Goodricke and Constantine) are self-catered. However, for first year undergraduates, one weekly college meal is included in the price. One day a week (depending on your college) you can redeem one evening meal from the Piazza Building canteen, located centrally on Campus East. This is a good opportunity to get out and meet some students from your wider college community, and have a break from cooking dinner.
The Meals in Advance Deal (MAD)
MAD can be a good option for those unsure about which catering option to pick. In effect, it lets you turn your self-catered room into a catered room on a termly basis. You’ll save up to 18% compared to buying the same meals individually.
You’ll have the added flexibility of being able to redeem your meals at three different catering outlets across campus. However, you won’t be living with other catered students, so you won’t have quite the same social experience as in a catered room.
If you’d like that added flexibility, or maybe just want to not have to worry about cooking during exam season - and want to save some money, this might be the option for you.