932.00 p (
+15.00) 
Student Accommodation Operator
of the Year
Unite Students is the UK’s largest owner manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation, meeting the country’s demand for high-quality student housing.
We were named Student Accommodation Operator of the Year for the second year running at Property Week’s RESI Awards 2023. The award recognises our commitment to supporting students’ mental and physical health, as well as our diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Everything we do at Unite Students goes into providing a home, where the tens of thousands of students who live with us can thrive.
OUR REPORTS
Our annual report
Dive into our annual report to find out more about our 2023 strategy and performance.
Our sustainability report
Our sustainability report, 'Making a Positive Impact', provides a more comprehensive overview of our work, including further explanation of our Sustainability Framework and the progress we have made against this.
Our strategy
Delivering for our customers and universities
Our experience shapes how we are delivering for our customers and universities. We provide high-quality homes, equipped with passionate and committed teams, offering a stand-out student experience where wellbeing is prioritised.
A responsible and resilient business
The property sector needs to reduce its carbon footprint so like many businesses, we are playing our part. We are driving lasting improvements in our sustainability performance and aspire to lead the living sector on sustainability.
Attractive returns for stakeholders
Working closely with university partners, we are focused on increasing the supply of much-needed student accommodation and intend to invest to achieve this. We take our responsibilities seriously as leaders in the purpose-built student accommodation sector, which contributes to the UK economy and is closely aligned to the success of world-leading UK universities.
A positive outlook
“
Rents increased by 7.4% on a like-for-like basis for 2023/24. We maintained a high proportion of income let to universities, with 53% of beds provided under nomination agreements while also achieving our highest ever university NPS score.
Mike Burt
Chief Financial Officer
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
OUR STAKEHOLDERS
Students
Value creation in 2023:
• Embedded the Support to Stay programme with our university partners, delivering support when students needed it most.
• Provided access to a 24/7 student wellbeing helpline and digital therapy services.
• Trialled new design concepts for our bedrooms, kitchens and amenity spaces.
• Supported the award of 106 new accommodation scholarships by the Unite Foundation.
• Refreshed our service style, CARE, to further enhance customer service.
Our People
Reward and recognition programme introduced in 2023:
• 8% average pay award, with frontline teams receiving over 10% in uplifts, maintaining Real Living Wage.
• Introduced a sector-leading family leave policy.
• Embedded our diversity, equity, belonging and wellbeing strategy.
• Launched a dedicated training programme for General Managers.
• Launched in 2022, The Academy delivered 36,000 training events, through a personalised, tailored learning experience for our teams.
Universities
Value creation in 2023:
• Provided 37,000 beds to universities for the 2023/24 academic year.
• Secured planning permission to create a new college at Rushford Court in Durham with our long-term partners, the University of Durham and work started on site.
• Our Support to Stay framework links wellbeing services with those of our university partners.
• A sold-out conference by the Living Black Commission, the publication of toolkits on cultural services and research, an EDI Data Maturity Framework and practical tips, resources and case studies.
Communities
Value creation in 2023:
• We committed to the development of a further 3,000 beds which will free up more traditional accommodation in the communities where we operate.
• 29 community impact projects received 20 Silver and 9 Gold Positive Impact Awards.
• 22% of all employees participated in volunteering
Suppliers
Value creation in 2023:
• Spent £275 million with suppliers across development activity, cladding remediation and refurbishments.
• Higher quality service from suppliers, supporting improved NPS scores from customers.
• Reduced risk through an enhanced supplier vetting process.
Investors
Value creation in 2023:
• Delivered 99.8% occupancy and rental growth of 7.4% for the 2023/24 academic year.
• 8% growth in adjusted earnings per share (EPS).
• Total accounting return of 2.9%.
• Full year dividend per share of 35.4p.