Blogs

We’ve shared our research into incoming students, and behind the scenes at Unite Students we’re using these insights to shape our plans for 2021/22. One thing we’re in no doubt about is the importance of a great welcome to ensure students get off on the right foot in their Home for Success.

June's episode is the first of a two-parter on preparing for September, with this instalment focusing on the incoming student cohort, to share our learnings with the sector.

With the particular challenges faced by the class of 2021, we wanted to delve deeper into what they need and expect from university, so in June we hosted a round table with experts spanning the Higher Education sector.

Jenny Shaw summarises what we can expect to see from those students coming to university in the autumn, based on the findings of our recent applicant survey and expert round table.

For Pride Month 2021, we speak to two of our LGBTQ+ employees about their very different experiences of coming out, what Pride means to them, and working for Unite Students.

A student shares his experience of being an LGBTQ+ commuter student: living at home with his parents, finding acceptance from his university peers, and the importance of community and belonging.

We recently shared the findings of our student survey on climate change; now, we speak to students about their thoughts on the findings, and what they're doing to be more environmentally sustainable.

Unite Students shares the findings of our latest student survey on climate change, which students consider to be the most urgent challenge facing society in 2021.

Making the transition to be an anti-racist organisation takes time, research, reflection, and honesty. Mhairi Taylor takes us through the University of Glasgow's journey to achieve this.

Unite Students has donated 50 laptops to IntoUniversity

The latest episode of our Accommodation Matters podcast explores how the sector has responded to the murder of George Floyd and last year's Black Lives Matter protests.

Meet Joanna Radomska, Housekeeping Team Leader for Sheffield, and find out her insights into life as a Unite Students housekeeper both before and during the pandemic.

Frankie O'Connell explains the importance of inclusive leadership, how to achieve it, and how it benefits the wellbeing of employees and students.

To highlight Unite Students' organisational commitment to mental health, we ran a week of dedicated coverage for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 - summarised here.

After a challenging year, Unite Students shares how it's helping students with their mental health on top of its usual service provision.

Unite Students and Halpin Partnership are working on groundbreaking new research on the Black student experience - Jenny Shaw explains why.

Bernadette Cochonat explains the factors shaping Chinese students' attitudes towards mental health and how to effectively support them through these.

Victoria Simmons shares how she's worked with her team to support their mental health during the pandemic, and how a happy team benefits the students who live with us.

Unite Students is recognising Mental Health Awareness Week with a full week of dedicated coverage. First up, we hear from two student ambassadors about the support they've provided to fellow students during Covid.

Paul Sweeney, podcast guest and Chief Strategy Officer at Unite Students, shares just a taster of some of Unite Students’ priorities for the future.

Our latest episode of our Accommodation Matters podcast considers what the future of Higher Education might look like for universities and accommodation providers alike.

After a tumultuous year, it's more important than ever to consider the future of Higher Education; Alister Wilson takes us through some of the factors that might shape this future.

On World Day for Safety and Health at Work it’s important to highlight the incredible work that our staff do behind the scenes

We share our recent Stars awards finalists, who have dedicated themselves to caring for students and keeping them safe during Covid.

The University of Nottingham's Andy Nolan explains the move towards net-zero carbon targets in the Higher Education sector, and why it's important.

Unite Students shares its plans to maintain the safety of students and staff into the summer, and further steps to respond to some of the current challenges.

James Tiernan looks at the lessons that Higher Education can take from Covid-19 in achieving net zero carbon targets.

Jade Monroe from SOS-UK shares what students want from the Higher Education sector on sustainability, and how that aligns with universities' plans to become more sustainable.

We introduce the people working to make students' accommodation experience the best it can be at Unite Students.

We’ve always placed a strong emphasis on saving energy and improving our energy efficiency

A summary of the safety measures we have implemented since COVID-19 began

Unite Students has announced new sustainability commitments. While we are no strangers to reducing our impact on the environment and supporting students’ wellbeing and access to higher education, the past few years’ focus on environmental and social issues has strengthened our resolve to do more.

The new season of Accommodation Matters kicks off with an episode on environmental sustainability and what it means for universities, students and accommodation providers.

Unite Students CEO Richard Smith shares his thoughts on the importance of a full university experience for students.

With today marking a year since the first UK national lockdown was announced, we look back over the last 12 months at how Unite Students has responded to the pandemic and what we've learned from it.

The circumstances surrounding Sarah Everard's disappearance and death have evoked many difficult feelings. Unite Students is listening - here's what we do to support students.

Students share details of some of the support they've received from Unite Students during lockdown.

Hattie Zhao has led Unite Students' China office since 2015 - here, she shares how we help and support students along their journey.

With students' bedrooms increasingly becoming classrooms, Unite Students pilots a webinar series to provide academic support.

Find out more about Unite Students' March rent discount extension and student eligibility here.