Amazing place to stay
University of Derby Hall Rankings
| The Croft | #1 |
| Roman House | #2 |
| St Christopher's Court | #3 |
| Nunnery Court | #4 |
| Peak Court | #5 |
| Princess Alice Court | #6 |
| Northgate House | #7 |
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Amazing place to stay
Princess Alice Court Information
| Telephone | 07771 838992 |
| Postcode | DE1 3LD |
| Price from | £115.36 per week for 23/24 (subject to availability) |
| Features | 4-minute walk from One Friar Gate Square, 9-minute walk from Britannia Mill, 12-minute walk from Markeaton Street & a 22-minute walk from Kedleston Road. An exciting Residence Life programme of mostly-free events & activities, wellbeing & pastoral support, 24 hour mobile contact number, weekly cleaning service, superfast Wifi, night time security staff, CCTV & intercom entry system, prompt maintenance service, free room contents insurance & free bike storage. |
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Princess Alice Court Biography
This great value hall of residence provides good no-nonsense value accommodation in the heart of the University quarter. All rooms have a single bed, ample storage space, a large desk and chair and a wash basin and mirror. Most flats have four to six bedrooms, a shared bathroom, toilet and a kitchen. Adapted rooms and a few en suite rooms are also available at this hall.
* GSLI awards 2022
Great value rooms, ideally situated close to Markeaton Street and Britannia Mill and One Friar Gate Square. Princess Alice Court is also on the Unibus route up to Kedleston Road and into the city centre.
The hall has a car park and bike sheds and offers communal facilities including a laundry and common room with pool table, table tennis and Playstation 4. Most flats have five or six rooms and a shared kitchen.
Princess Alice Court offers homey rooms that come fully furnished with all the necessities. These rooms have shared kitchens that are equipped with a fridge freezer, kettle, cooker, toaster, cupboard space, breakfast bar or table and chairs.
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Q&A
For non en suite flats there is a shered shower room and a separate shared toilet. One of the advantages of these room types is that the cleaners come in onec a week and claen the communal areas including the shared shower and toilets
Most people pay in three instalments which coincide with when the maintenance loan goes into their bank account. The dealines for the three instalments are 2 October, 15 January and 15 April. If you would prefer to pay in a different way, for example monthly, you can arrange a different payment plan with the finance team
If you arrive during office hours there will be someone there to speak to. If no one is around or you arrive outside office hours you can ring the Princess Alice Court 24 hour mobile number which is 07771 838992. Every hall has a 24 hour contact number like this. Most people choose to arrive during Welcome Weekend which in 2023 is Friday 15 to Sunday 17 September. The housing team will contact you at the end of August about booking an arrival slot and you can choose when you want to arrive.
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Read Princess Alice Court Reviews
Staff are mostly temps who have no idea what they're doing, one even stole somebody's post. Nobody is ever in the office when they're supposed to be and the emergency number goes straight to voicemail. Cleaning service is a scam with the cleaner refusing service whenever they need to do their job.
Sometimes we have had to use temporary staff but usually we have experienced and well trained staff on duty. I am sorry if you had a negative experience. If you have any complaints I would encourage you to let staff know at the time the problem is ocurring so we can rectify any issues straight away. Usually cleaners only refuse to clean when the kitchen surfaces are covered in dirty pots making it hard to clean. Again we suggest you take any issues to the Hall Manager or if they are about the Hall Manager you can put in a complaint to the Housing Office. I hope this helps
Wifi is awful, the hall managers never seem to know anything and can't answer any of our enquiries but it's cheap so that's something
The Wifi at all University halls has been upgraded since so the Wifi is now superfast and students can connect up to 25 devices. We're sorry the staff didn't answer any of your queries. In future if you are not getting answers please contact our Housing team on 01332 594111 and they should be able to help. Alternatively check out our Frequently Asked Questions
Been here for a month or so now and it's fine. The location is perfect and is only a few minutes away from the town centre. The WiFi is good and ethernet ports are available but with speeds of 100MBS you should be fine. Room itself is small, I only have a single bed, was lucky enough to get an en-suite which again is small, same size to a bog-standard Travel Lodge in comparison. Main issue is the lack of on-site support if something breaks even something as simple as a blind took five weeks to be fixed as no one was on site to fix the issue. It is worth the extra few pounds to stay at significantly better private accommodation than stay here unless they massively renovate the halls. Fine, but not great
We’re glad you liked the location and superfast WiFi at Princess Alice Court but sorry to hear you didn’t get the onsite support you needed in a timely manner. We’re constantly trying to improve our customer service so your feedback is very valuable to us. Looking at the date of your review, I think we did have some staff shortages then but still it’s no excuse or consolation.
Halls was managed well and any issued were dealt with quickly. WiFi isn't very good.
You'll be glad to hear that since you wrote your review, we've upgraded our internet and we've gone with a new supplier called Glide Gigabit who provide really fast internet for up to 25 devices (WE know!!! Who has 25 devices?).
What can I say it’s cosy dry and somewhere to rest
Since you wrote this review we've really developed our Residence Life programme of mostly free activities and events for students so that as well as having somehwre comfortable to live, you also have a chance to try new things and make new frinds without breaking the budget. Find out more about our awesome events programme
This accommodation is very peaceful with 24/7 staff help. The hall manager will try his best to answer questions as quick as possible.
We're glad to hear you found the staff at Princess Alice Court friendly and helpful. We always recommend residents go to their Hall Manager with any issues.
Well maintained and staff are lovely and very helpful
We’re delighted you had a good time at Princess Alice Court and you found the staff so friendly and helpful. We like to think all our halls foster a friendly, supportive environment for all our students and that we are there to support them with whatever they need. :)
Lived here last year and was cosy but the social space inside is quite small for the amount of residents
The common room is never really used for all residents at the same time.There are 364 rooms at this hall so that would be a bit of a tall order. It's there for people to use if they fancy a free game of pool, a film night etc. When we have big events we'll have them in the courtyard or even over several halls (Halls Fest) .
Kept very clean by the lovely cleaners and great location in the city!
Great to hear from another satisfied customer at Princess Alice Court . It IS a great location, just a short walk to Markeaton Street, Britannia Mill and One Friar Gate Square and close to sesveral supermarkets too.
There is very little room to socialise and the rooms are very dated however, the management and cleaning staff are brilliant and there is no room for improcement at all.
Thanks for the complement about the 'brilliant' management and cleaning staff at Princess Alice Court! We're guessing you're referring to the kitchens when you say there is little room to socialise Although the kitchens are small for socialising there is a big common room that students can book out, for free, to use with their friends. Also, recently all the rooms were repainted which has made them a lot more fresh and modern
Location is brilliant, very close to city centre (there’s also a student union bar and social learning space next door) buses are regular (every 12 mins) and are free for students (runs to campuses, halls, city centre and train station). Cleaner once a week. A good, but basic, option for a low price.
We’re glad you liked living at Princess Alice Court. It IS a great location, close to lectures at Friar gate Square, Britannia Mill and Markeaton Street and just a short free Unibus ride to Kedleston Road. . The student bar next door is no more but has been replaced by Dubrek studios, a café bar and venue for small gigs. Unibuses are still regular and free and there is still a weekly cleaning service there.
Good experience and good maintained.
We’re glad you had a good experience living at Princess Alice Court and you think it is well maintained. All our halls undergo regular refurbishment and have an onsite caretaker to deal with small maintenance issues as and when they arise.
A great cheap halls that offers just about everything you could need. A bus stop right outside and attentive staff 24/7 means problems and queries are quickly dealt with.
Thanks for that great score for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay
One of the best places I’ve ever lived
It sounds like you had a happy time at Princess Alice Court but you don't say why. It IS in a great location, close to town and lectures, and has a great events prgramme and friendly staff.
The noise is absolutely terrible, they don’t seem to enforce their rules on noise at all.
We're really sorry that you experienced some issues with noise during your stay. Since you wrote your review, we have strenthened our policy on noise. We advise residents to report the issue to a member of staff when the noise is actually happening. That way staff can deal with the culprits. We do take noise complaints very seriously in halls and have a proper to deal with repeat offenders so it's always best to let us know about the problem.
My sleeping patterns have been messed up due to living in Derby University halls and it still hasn't returned to normal after a year. The following improvements should be made: Sound Proof needs to be better Bedroom doors need to close quieter Windows need to open wider Room temperature needs to be cooler Water temperature needs to be warmer Shower rooms need to be bigger Toilet bowls need to be cleaner Security guard who receive late night noise complaints need to walk fasterStaff and RAs who roll their eyes when they think i'm not looking and talk about students behind their back, need to be politer
We're really sorry that you experienced a few issues with noise during your stay. Since you wrote this review we have imprioved our noise policy and we think it has been quite effective. We advise residents to report the issue to a member of staff when the noise is actually happening. That way staff can deal with the culprits. We do take noise complaints very seriously in halls and have a proper procedure to deal with repeat offenders so it's always best to let us know about the problem.
Constant noise, at all hours of the morning, making it very difficult to get a good sleeping pattern, the hall manager steals all the parcels and doesnt let you have them until 5pm even though its your own flippin property and you paid for that (theft?), internet very shoddy, always failing and very slow for an internet location in a city, location in the worse parts of derby (lots of drugs and theft). They have weekly cleaners which are actually very good though.
We've since improved our policy on noise and it's working a lot better. We advise residents to report the issue to a member of staff when the noise is actually happening. That way staff can deal with the culprits. We do take noise complaints very seriously in halls and have a proper procedure to deal with repeat offenders so it's always best to let us know about the problem. In regard to parcels, the Hall Manager doesn't steal parcels but collects them from a courier and lets you know by email when they have arrived.Effectively they are acting like an Amazon locker service for you! Office hours at halls have also been extended since you wrote this review so people can collect post at more flexible times. In addition, we've upgraded our interenet provision with Glide Gigabit who provide really fast and efficient interent for up to 25 devices! Finally, what you say about the area is not accurate. There is a lot of development and new buidlings going up in this area, making it much more pleasant.
Hated it! Very noisy halls, beyond what I think it should be. Not just drunks from a night out, we lived above an insanely noisy flat who throw parties every other night and keep us up until 4AM (which is awful when you have uni the next day.) Have reported them several times but nothing seems to get done, they just keep getting worse. Decent room size but no living room and the only social space is the kitchen and common room. Everyone gets annoyed with each other because you're all living on top of each other and people who constantly barge into your room without asking can get aggravating. The people I lived with were mostly nice but food/drink/items were constantly being stolen/eaten. Internet is rubbish. Things are always breaking and they take a long time to replace them. Really good for if you need to switch flats from a falling out. Management is generally nice but don't take issues seriously. Made some really great friends but definitely wasn't right for me.
We're really sorry that you experienced issues with noise during your stay. Since you wrote your review, we've improved our policy on noise and it seems to be far more effective. We advise residents to report the issue to a member of staff when the noise is actually happening. That way staff can deal with the culprits. We do take noise complaints very seriously in halls and have a proper procedure to deal with repeat offenders so it's always best to let us know about the problem. If students want a socail space in the flat, we recommend Darley Bank and Agard Court. Darley Bank has really big kitchens with sofas which are great for socialising and Agard Court has smaller kitchen but they do have a TV and sofa, again great for socialising with flatmates. In addition, as you know, all our undergraduate halls have a common room for residents which have a pool table, table tennis, a large screen TV , PS4 etc. Sorry you found the Wifi bad but since you wrote this review we've upgraded our internet provision and we're now with Glide Gigabit. Glide Gigabit provide really fast internet for up to 25 devices. In terms of falling out with flatmates. we encourage all students having any issues like this to contact their Hall Manager. They can arrangee a flat meeting, offer advice and if neccessary organise a room swap , so please keep them up to date with what is going on. After all they can't act if they don't know about a problem. Thank you for your review. We really value student feedback and use it to improve the service we offer. Obviously this review was written a while ago but I hope this addresses some of the issues you raised.
Just as good as the other halls and cheaper
Thanks for that great score and review for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay
Great accommodation to stay in, but wifi isn't great and it's a bit expensive to pay for termly
Thanks for that great score for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay. Sorry you found the Wifi bad but since you wrote this review we've upgraded our internet provision and we're now with Glide Gigabit and the feedback from students is overwhelmingly positive. Most students prefer to pay termly as the instalments coincide with the maintenance loan payments that UK students receive. Howevver if you want to set up a different payment plan the finance team are open to this.
Amazing social life, lovely cleaning staff and management. However wifi can be awful at times but overall a nice place to live and comes with a free bus pass to uni!!
Thanks for that great review for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay. You'll be glad to hear that since you wrote this review we've upgraded our internet provision and we're now with Glide Gigabit. Glide Gigabit provide really fast internet for up to 25 devices (We know!!! Who has 25 devices?).
Great halls, friendly staff, WiFi and internet could be better. The hall manager is lovely and the student reps are very easy to talk to.
Thanks for that great score for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay and found the staff to be friendly. Since you wrote this review we've upgraded our internet provision and we're now with Glide Gigabit. Glide Gigabit provide really fast internet for up to 25 devices and students seem deligted with the service.
The rooms are a good size however my flat and I know a few others were invested with silver fish which I didn't think was acceptable but however it was apparently stated on the tenancy. Otherwise good social areas it was just a shame of the silver fish as they were in people's rooms, kitchen and bathrooms.
We ask students to report any issues with silverfish as soon as they occur, so we can take appropriate action to get rid of them before the problem gets worse. We're sorry you encountered this problem and hope it was solved for you. Obviously it was some time ago. Normally we would look to eradicate the problem or in extreme circumstances accommodate residents elsewhere if necessary.
The location of the this hall was really good as it had a bus stop outside the entrance, it was also a good distance from the city centre and not too far of a walk to the university. The wifi and phone signal was terrible most of the time I would miss call from family and friends to having no signal. My overall experience at princess Alice was pretty good but wouldn't stay here agin.
Thank you for your feedback. Princess Alice Court is in a great location, close to lectures at Friar Gate Square, Britannia Mill and Markeaton Street and just a short free Unibus ride to Kedleston Road. We're sorry you found the Wifi bad but since you wrote this review we've upgraded our internet provision and we're now with Glide Gigabit. Glide Gigabit provide really fast internet for up to 25 devices
Princess Alice Court is placed about halfway between the main uni campus, and town. It doesn't have the best location, as it's quite a walk to either, but as all the halls are in roughly the same place, you can't really avoid this unless you go for a shared house instead. I wouldn't personally say Princess Alice Court is very good value for money; for £96/week, you get a small room, with a sink, and a shared bathroom between 6. The kitchens are small, and you don't get a living room. I feel that it is expensive for what it is, but most of the main halls are the same, so this is the price you should expect. The hall management are quite good, with prompt maintenance times, and helpful caretakers. The RAs are helpful, coming out of help is needed when they're on call. The manager is very chatty, and willing to help if you need it. The common room's okay, but very small and it doesn't get used much. It's a fairly sociable hall, and the basic internet connection is quite fast.
Thank you for your comments about Princess Alice Court. Although it's about a 20 minute walk to Kedleston Road, there is a free Unibus there and also it's really close to Btitannia Mill , Markeaton Street and One Friar Gate Square as well as being close to a small Sainsbury's
Great place, great RA's however things break all the time.
Thanks for that great score for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay and sorry for the clumsy RAs
Good hall management and 7 minutes away from city centre, uni and aldi (driving). Poor signal and Internet
There's also a new Lidl now and it's just a 10 minute walk away plus we're now with a much more efficient internet provider called Glide - They are brilliant and provide really fast and efficient internet
The best of the Derby halls by far. Very social, wonderful management and value for money. It's always clean and tidy and everyone seems to get along really well.
Thanks for that great score for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay
Rooms are okay and kitchen is good, no living room or sofas to sit and socialise on with flat mates. Bathroom/shower are very small. Walls are paper thin allowing you to hear more than youd want at times... THe court yard can be very noisy during the night time but on the pluss side It is cheap the rooms are spacious, they have a good sized desk and comfortable beds.
Thanks for your comments about Princess Alice Court . If you want a social space in your flat Darley Bank and Agard Court have these.Darley Bank has really big kitchens with sofas which are great for socialising and Agard Court has smaller kitchens but they do have a TV and sofa, again great for socialising with flatmates. In addition all our undergraduate halls have a common room for residents which have a pool table, table tennis, a large screen TV , PS4 etc. We're really sorry that you experienced a few issues with noise during your stay. Since you wrote this review, we've improved our policy on noise. We advise residents to report the issue to a member of staff when the noise is actually happening. That way staff can deal with the culprits. We do take noise complaints very seriously in halls and have a proper procedure to deal with repeat offenders so it's always best to let us know about the problem.
It's a very loud hall and complaints aren't always taken seriously. However, it's a good distance from town and university and is close to the other halls. The major downside is there isn't a common room in the halls and the rooms are very close together meaning noise travels very easily.
We're really sorry that you experienced a few issues with noise during your stay. Since then we've improved our policy on noise. We advise residents to report the issue to a member of staff when the noise is actually happening. That way staff can deal with the culprits. We do take noise complaints very seriously in halls and have a proper procedure to deal with repeat offenders so it's always best to let us know about the problem. There actually IS a common room at Princess Alice Court and at all our undergraduate halls . They usually have a pool table, table tennis, a large screen TV , PS4 etc.
An amazing place to be am loving halls the kitchens a good size beds are super nice no probiblem sleeping on them, room is also a decent size thought it would be smaller. Love it love it love it
Thanks for that great review for Princess Alice Court . We’re glad you enjoyed your stay
The internet/wifi connection is VERY APPALLING! When trying to do work and doing research online in my room, connection just dies, this happens to my laptop, tablet and phone. It doesn't help when mobile connection is just as bad/worse so you can't actually have access online to begin with to do any work! It's not justifiable, it needs to be sorted. It's bad how it does have an impact on working ethics and research. Time is a crucial thing, it is one thing you can not retrace and have more of. The quicker this problem is sorted, the better... It needs to be in working function because frantically it is a waste of time. As I have said before, time cannot be retrieved, once it has gone, it has permanently gone. Please can something get sorted ASAP. Thank you.
Sorry you found the Wifi bad but since you wrote this review we've upgraded our internet provision and we're now with Glide Gigabit. Glide Gigabit provide really fast internet for up to 25 devices
Bit small and squalid for the price paid...
Thank you for your review. We really value student feedback and use it to improve the service we offer. We're sorry you found the rooms small. Many open day visitors say there a good size compared to those offered at other Universities.
If you have any problems someone comes up and sorts it out however only have common room as social space and that can be booked out. It takes about 30mins to get to uni via parks and alleys, which is rubbish after dark However if you dont use them it takes 40mins
We're glad staff were helpful with the problems you raised. If you want a social space in your flat Darley Bank and Agard Court have these. Darley Bank has really big kitchens with sofas which are great for socialising and Agard Court has smaller kitchens but they do have a TV and sofa, again great for socialising with flatmates. In addition all our undergraduate halls have a common room for residents which have a pool table, table tennis, a large screen TV , PS4 etc. In terms of getting to Uni and back, most halls are a short walk from Markeaton Street, Britannia Mill and One Friar Gate Square. As you say Kedleston Road is a longer walk but there is a free Unibus service up there and when the library is open late before exams and deadlines a late bus is organised