Dorchester House

ResLifeBU is a programme designed to help you enjoy your time in student accommodation to the fullest. It’s included in all of the accommodation managed by or in partnership with BU.

Our ResLifeBU Team supports you across three core areas:

• Social, covering a wide range of inclusive activities and events
• Wellbeing, comprising your welfare, health, safety and overall comfort and security
• Skills – from cooking masterclasses to tips on managing your budget

The team comprises of our ResLife Assistants (RAs) who are current BU students and live on site with an understanding of what it’s like to move to a new home when you start at uni. Our Welfare Coordinator is a current member of BU staff and is available for any wellbeing issues you might have whilst in residence.

£1 of your weekly rent goes towards the funding of the programme – but if you make the most of it, you’ll find it’s worth so much more than that.

Find out more about ResLifeBU

All of the bedrooms in Dorchester are ensuite, with standard and premium options:

• Standard ensuite
• Premium ensuite

These all feature a four-foot bed, a desk, shelving, under-bed storage, a wardrobe and heating that you can control yourself.

The difference between a standard and premium ensuite room is in the floor space – premium rooms will be larger than standard rooms.

There are also self-contained standard and premium studio flats available for postgraduate students, with their own kitchen and living space, as well as a bedroom.

Prices are based on tenancy inclusive of a bus pass and ResLifeBU. See our price guide (pdf 155kb) for more information.

Dorchester House is based opposite Bournemouth’s main train and bus station, as well as the largest supermarket in the town centre.

It’s within easy walking distance of all BU buildings on our Lansdowne Campus, and the U1 university bus service to and from Talbot picks up from right outside. At Dorchester, you’re also close to our Students’ Union-run club and live music venue, The Old Fire Station, with the town centre and beach around 10-minutes’ walk away.

The proximity of Dorchester House to the train and bus station obviously makes it easy to travel in and out of Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, the university bus service (U1) picks up and drops off right outside the block, with journeys into our Talbot Campus taking around 15 minutes. Your bus pass is included in your rent so you can use this service as much as you need throughout the year, although you can opt out of this if you choose.

The bus pass also includes unlimited travel on morebus zone A services, spanning the wider Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.

There’s a secure bike shelter within the complex as well.

There’s a common room with communal as well as private booth seating that’s open to all residents where you can relax, socialise, watch films, game or play pool.

For when you need to get your head down and study there are three dedicated study rooms you can use for personal or group work.

There are also outdoor courtyard areas where you can chill out in the warmer weather.

The shared flats have between three and seven bedrooms and all have a communal kitchen and living area, complete with comfy seats, a breakfast bar, storage cupboards and all the appliances you’ll need (cooker, fridge, freezer and microwave).

The postgraduate studio flats are all self-contained residential units, with their own kitchen, living space and ensuite bathroom.

Your weekly rent includes contents insurance. Find out more about the level of cover. 

Your bedroom and common room has high-speed wifi for work and play.

All of your bills are included in your weekly rent so you have nothing further to pay.

As well as having CCTV in the building and secure access, there is also a Dorchester House team member onsite 24 hours a day to provide any help you might need.

The onsite team includes a maintenance operative who will be able to respond and resolve any faults for you in a timely manner.

There is also a ResLifeBU Team who are on hand if you have any wellbeing concerns and they also organise regular social events (see ResLifeBU above)

Dorchester House is owned and operated by BU's private accommodation partner, iQ Students. However, BU will be your landlord and you will pay your rent to us. Any queries related to your contract or rent should be with your BU Residential Services Team. All other day-to-day queries or issues you might have during your time will be dealt with by iQ Students dedicated on-site team.

BU and iQ have signed this site up to the UUK Student Accommodation Code, which has been developed to encourage the highest possible standards of student accommodation provided by universities and major private suppliers. Find out more about the Code and how it benefits you.