Out & About: Your survival guide to living in halls
From staying safe to finding cheap food, the best hangout spots and getting around with local active travel options – here's what you actually need to know.
You must think about your own personal safety when in and around Campus
Here are some tips:
- Stick to well-lit routes at night
- Lock your door - even for quick trips
- Don't let strangers into your flat
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Close your curtains at night (especially if you live on the ground floor)
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See something weird?
- If someone’s hanging around your flat/block and you don’t recognise them → report it
- Trust your gut—if it feels off, it probably is
Good to know
- Your building is secure (key/swipe access + your own room lock)
- Only you can access your room unless staff need entry (e.g. maintenance/emergency)
- Security are on-site 24/7 and do regular patrols. They are easy to spot with their uniforms + ID badges
Safer students
West Midlands police have set up a webpage aimed at anyone living within University Accommodation called Safer Students. It has information about how to stay safe when out and about, as well as information about staying safe within halls.
University of Wolverhampton – Key Contacts
General Enquiries: 01902 321000
Student Accommodation: 01902 321268
Students' Union Advice and Support: 01902 322038
Socials (stay in the loop):
@wlv_uni
@WolvesSU
@wlvaccommodation
Useful Links & Info
- Register your valuables for free www.immobilise.com
- Lost or stolen phone? Call 08701123123 to block it across all networks
- Find your IMEI number: dial *#06#
Stay safe & informed
- Personal safety www.suzylamplugh.org
- Alcohol Awareness www.drinkaware.co.uk
- Drugs Advice www.talktofrank.com
Reporting Crime & Police Contact
- Emergency Number: 999
- Non-emergency Number: 101
Your local Police Force is West Midlands Police.
Find you your Neighbourhood team www.west-midlands.police.uk
Other reporting options:
- Hate Crime: True Vision www.report-it.org.uk
- Anonymous reports: Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) www.crimestoppers-uk.org
- Anti-Terrorism hotline: 0800 789 321
- Police Stats: www.police.uk
The Accommodation Hub teams up with West Midlands Police to make sure students feel safe, supported, and know where to go if they need help while living in uni accommodation.
At the Wolverhampton Campus, the Hub works closely with local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to keep that support accessible and relevant.
If you want to stay updated or learn more about the officers and what they do, check out West Midlands Police on their social media.

The cost of living in Wolverhampton is similar to most cities in the UK – apart from London which is a bit more expensive. As a student you will get to know where to shop and how to budget.
Prices are very different depending on where you shop and what products you buy. Supermarkets often have ‘own-label’ brands which are cheaper than more recognised brands. The shopping list below should give you an approximate idea of the cost of basic products in the UK from a supermarket.
Wolverhampton has a variety of major supermarkets including ASDA, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, cheaper supermarkets including Lidl and Aldi and premium supermarkets such as Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.
To help make cooking on a budget easier, we have also created The Student Cook Book with simple, affordable meal ideas to give you some inspiration if you need it.

Other Purchases
The Accommodation Hub offer you the opportunity to purchase various items such as Bed Linen, towels and kitchen utensils via the Accommodation Online Shop.
Whether you're travelling from Birmingham, elsewhere in the UK or from overseas, it’s a good idea to plan your journey to campus in advance. We’ve put together some useful travel information to help you get around, whether you’re moving to the area, commuting from home or travelling from further away.
Public transport is often one of the easiest and most affordable ways to travel around the West Midlands and beyond. To help you get started, here are some useful tips for planning your journeys.
Transport for West Midlands | Journey planning, tickets and help
Arriving to campus by car
Parking is available at City Campus and Walsall Campus for students staying in our halls of residence and university staff. If you’re living in University accommodation, visit our Arrivals page for information on where to find parking and details to help you plan your journey.
Take the Bus
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Use Google and find your nearest bus stop. There are many around the area. You will need to find the services that will take you to the correct area
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When you see the bus coming stick out your thumb so the driver knows you are waiting
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Wait until it stops, then either show the driver your pass or pay the fare (single, return or day fare) using the correct amount of money as buses in the West Midlands do not give change. Most buses now accept contactless card payments, so you don't have to panic if you don't have any coins.
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The bus will only stop if you press the bell/button or if someone wants to get on.
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If you are not sure where to get off, ask the driver.
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Tickets are valid for each journey rather than for a period of time, so if you get off the bus you will need to buy a new ticket when getting on another bus (unless you have a day fare or monthly pass)
Take the Train
- You can buy your train tickets online via the trainline app, or at the station before boarding the train. Most stations in the UK will have exit barriers so you will need a valid ticket in order to leave.
Tip: Students can get a 16-25 discount card for £35 a year or get a 3-year card exclusively online for £80. This card allows you 30% discount on rail fares. Find out how to get your card on the railcard website.
Nearest Train Stations to Your Halls of Residence
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City Campus - Wolverhampton train station
- Walsall Campus - Walsall train station
Take the Tram
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The Midland Metro runs from Wolverhampton to Birmingham, so it’s perfect for getting to Bilston, Wednesbury, West Bromwich, The Hawthorns and the Jewellery Quarter. We have extended the network to Edgbaston in Birmingham – perfect for connecting to the city centre easily.
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You pay for the tram in a similar way to the bus and if you plan on using buses and trams, it's definitely worth investing in a Swift Card!
Hop on a Coach
- Travelling by coach is often cheaper than the train, but it can take a lot longer! National Express and Megabus are the two main companies used by students in the UK.
Tip: You can't buy tickets onboard coaches, so make sure you book and pay for your seat in advance. Tickets are often cheaper the further in advance you book. (Megabus are known for famously offering 10% student discount)
Whether you’re commuting to campus, heading home for the weekend or exploring somewhere new, a little planning can make travelling easier. Here are some useful tips to help you get around, save money and stay safe.
Check your bus route before you travel π
Look up your route and timetable before setting off, and check for any delays or changes. If you travel by bus regularly, look into student tickets or travel passes that could help you save money.
Look out for rail discounts π
If you’re travelling by train regularly, check whether a Railcard or season ticket could reduce the cost of your journeys. Booking in advance can also help you find cheaper fares.
Plan your journey π±
Use a journey-planning app or local transport website to check your route before you leave. Apps such as Citymapper can help you plan your journey and check for live travel updates. It’s also worth having a back-up route in case your bus or train is delayed or cancelled.
Consider active travel πΆβοΈ
If you live close enough to campus, walking or cycling could be a simple way to get around while keeping your travel costs down. Check local walking and cycling routes to find the best option for you.
Make your travel budget go further π·
Travelling regularly can quickly add up, so compare different ticket options and look out for student discounts. A weekly or monthly pass could work out cheaper if you use public transport often.
Think about your journey home π
If you’re travelling late at night, plan how you’re going to get home before you head out. Save useful taxi or private hire numbers on your phone and make sure you have enough money or access to a payment method for your journey. For more tips on staying safe when travelling, see our personal safety webpage
Explore beyond campus πΊοΈ
Public transport isn’t just useful for getting to university. Use it to explore the local area, visit new places, meet friends and make the most of your time here.
π‘ Top tip: Save your usual routes and transport apps on your phone so you can quickly check timetables, delays and alternative journeys when you need them.



