What to expect at your halls

LSE Catered Halls

During term-time, Bankside House, Rosebery, Passfield and Carr-Saunders offer an evening meal from Sunday-Friday, plus brunch on Saturday morning. These meals are included in your rent, and guests can join you for £7.35 per meal, payable at reception.

In my experience, the main advantage of living in catered halls is the variety of options, which you can view in advance weekly online. Additionally, alongside the main dishes, you can also choose from a variety of fruit, salads, soups, bread and hot or cold deserts- so you definitely won't go hungry!

Below is a meal I enjoyed in my first term living at Bankside House:

Another benefit of living at a catered residence is the opportunity to try new foods from around the world! Catered halls aren't just about food- it's also an opportunity to meet new people and celebrate events together, like Valentine's Day, Eid and Halloween. The Thanksgiving dinner, in particular, was a highlight for me!

Another major benefit? No need to cook dinner after a long day of studying or socialising.

So, while it's great to not have to worry about cooking dinner when you're already busy, there are some disadvantages that I came across that you may want to consider before moving in. In catered halls the kitchens for residents tend to be quite small,'snack point kitchens', which can be quite frustrating, if you like cooking more elaborate meals for breakfast and lunch. Also, while mealtimes are somewhat flexible (there are arrangements for picking up meals late), it does mean giving up some control that self-catering provides.

But, ultimately, it comes down to what works best for you. If you dislike cooking or just want one less thing to think about, catered accommodation might be your ideal fit 😊.

Non-catered

Self-catered halls provide more extensive kitchen facilities for you to prepare and cook your own meals, as well as a space to socialise with your flatmates.

Being responsible for your own meals may give you a greater sense of independence, as well as the flexibility to eat what you want when you want. If you enjoy cooking or are looking to improve your culinary skills it is also a chance to do so. Within your flat, cooking together is also a great way to socialise and build relationships.

However, it can be stressful to budget for your meals, think of recipe ideas and find the time to cook nutritious meals. But don't worry, these skills are something you will likely learn over time.