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What we know about 2024’s university applicants

Every year, Unite Students surveys university applicants for our Applicant Index. And every year, we’re surprised by the differences between applicant cohorts. If you want to be prepared for the first year students who will arrive into your city in the autumn, you won’t want to miss this episode – or the report that spawned it.
Unite Students' Kings Place in Southwark
24/07/2024

Unite Students acquires key London scheme

Unite Students, the UK's largest provider of student accommodation, has acquired a key London development that will provide new student homes in central London to support the growth of its university partners.
23/07/2024

Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024

CONTINUED STRONG DEMAND WITH SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Unite Students 2024 Applicant Index
15/07/2024

Research reveals new optimism among university applicants for post-graduation job prospects

This year’s university applicants are more confident about their job prospects after graduating than at any other time since the pandemic, according to new research.
Front cover of the 2024 Applicant Index, which looks at university applicants' confidence

7 things you need to know about 2024’s university applicants

The Unite Students Applicant Index is the only research that tracks university applicants’ attitudes and confidence levels year on year, giving you the information you need to prepare for their arrival in autumn. The 2024 report is out now. So, here’s everything you need to know about the Applicant Index - and seven things you’ll want to know about this year’s incoming student cohort.

Applicant Index 2024: Joe Lister’s foreword

Joe Lister, Unite Students’ Chief Executive, shares his thoughts on our 2024 Applicant Index report – and how he’s seen some of the findings play out within his own family.
Jenny Shaw looks at Universities UK's recent drugs guidance for Higher Education, and what student accommodation teams should know about it.

Student drug use: What accommodation teams need to know

Jenny Shaw looks at Universities UK's recent drugs guidance for Higher Education, and what student accommodation teams should know about it.
Jay Khan, Head of Operations for London

Interview: Meet Jay Khan, Head of Operations for London

New to the sector but with a wealth of experience in operations, Jay Khan - our new Head of Operations for London - talks us through his first impressions of the Higher Education sector, how his past experience has brought him to purpose-built student accommodation and how he plans to create a culture of excellence in our buildings.
What does the 2024 UK General Election mean for these students, for their accommodation and university?

What the 2024 UK General Election means for student accommodation

Political decisions can reshape the whole Higher Education landscape. So we enlisted an expert panel and host Jenny Shaw to tell us exactly what the 2024 UK General Election might mean for Higher Education, students and student accommodation in a special General Election podcast episode.
Unite Students' Kirstie Reynolds

Architect Kirstie Reynolds: Why I’m passionate about design

Kirstie Reynolds, a University of Edinburgh and University of Strathclyde graduate, knew architecture was for her as it was a great opportunity to use her creative and logical attributes.
Unite Students at the London Stock Exchange
19/06/2024

London Stock Exchange welcomes Unite Students as PBSA provider marks 25th anniversary

Unite Students is delighted to celebrate its 25th anniversary year as a listed company.
HEPI Annual Conference 2024

3 things we learned from the HEPI Annual Conference

Last week, Jenny Shaw (HE External Engagement Director) was out and about at sector conferences including HEPI’s Annual Conference, with its focus on the forthcoming General Election. If you couldn’t make it to the event, here are Jenny’s three event takeaways for student accommodation.
Will White, Higher Education Engagement Director

Meet Will White – Unite Students’ new Higher Education Engagement Director

Partnered with more than 60 universities across the UK, Unite Students prides itself on strong relationships with the Higher Education sector. So, we’re delighted to introduce Will White as our new Higher Education Engagement Director. Here, Will shares why he took the role after five years working as a Head of Operations, his priorities for 2024 and his experience of how Higher Education policy challenges play out for students on the ground.
Schools and sixth form colleges play an important role in helping students to have a smooth transition to university. In our latest report, Improving the Transition to University, representatives from secondary education spoke about how school data and support plans could be better used to support vulnerable students at university.  Wayne Templeman, Director of Sixth Form at St Bonaventure’s, London, shares his reflections on the transition to university, the connection between schools and students, and what schools and colleges want to see in improving the university transition. 

Transition to university: A Sixth Form Director’s perspective

Schools and sixth form colleges play an important role in helping students to have a smooth transition to university. In our latest report, Improving the Transition to University, representatives from secondary education spoke about how school data and support plans could be better used to support vulnerable students at university.  Wayne Templeman, Director of Sixth Form at St Bonaventure’s, London, shares his reflections on the transition to university, the connection between schools and students, and what schools and colleges want to see in improving the university transition. 
According to our 2023 Applicant Index data, 66% of university applicants want to be an active part of the student community while they’re at university.  We spoke to Serena Ferris, Resident Experience Programmes Manager, about what it takes to make a great student experience, using student feedback to shape our programmes, and what she’s looking to achieve in 2024. 

Interview: How do you create a great student experience?

We spoke to Serena Ferris, Resident Experience Programmes Manager, about what it takes to create a great student experience in accommodation.
All of our front line teams have a role to play in supporting our residents – but when they need help with more complex cases, they can turn to our regional Student Support teams.  We spoke to Martin McKendley, Regional Student Support Officer for London, about what a typical day looks like in his role, how he works with our teams and university partners to support students, and his favourite thing about working at Unite Students. 

A Day in the Life of… a Regional Student Support Officer

All of our front line teams have a role to play in supporting our residents – but when they need help with more complex cases, they can turn to our regional Student Support teams.  We spoke to Martin McKendley, Regional Student Support Officer for London, about what a typical day looks like in his role, how he works with our teams and university partners to support students, and his favourite thing about working at Unite Students. 
More and more students are seeking support for their mental health, and in response, we’ve seen a whole host of new initiatives to better meet that need. But what are these initiatives, where have they come from and what do student accommodation teams need to know? We’re getting into it in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters. 

Emerging trends in student mental health

More and more students are seeking support for their mental health, and in response, we’ve seen a whole host of new initiatives to better meet that need. But what are these initiatives, where have they come from and what do student accommodation teams need to know? We’re getting into it in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters. 
St Peter's Court in Nottingham
13/05/2024

Disposal of six properties for £184m

Unite Students, the UK's leading owner, manager and developer of student accommodation, today announces the sale of six properties to PGIM Real Estate for £184 million.
Improving the transition to Higher Education

Improving the Transition to Higher Education report: 4 things we learned

Our latest report ‘Improving the Transition to Higher Education’ is a joint initiative between Unite Students and the Higher Education Student Support Champion, Professor Edward Peck. Based on a series of expert roundtables and individual interviews, together with desk research and sector case studies, it draws together key challenges and recommendations for schools, colleges and universities. Co-author Jenny Shaw takes a look at some of the implications for student accommodation.
We’re proud of all our city teams and how they deliver a great student experience – but in 2023, it was our Birmingham South team who scooped our internal Teamwork award. We spoke to Mitchell Fellows (General Manager), Dan Ruscoe (Student Experience Manager) and Nardi Kinson (Student Experience Team Leader) to find out how they work together, what makes them an award-winning team and what they love about working in the Birmingham South team.

A Day in the Life of… our Birmingham South city team

We’re proud of all our city teams and how they deliver a great student experience – but in 2023, it was our Birmingham South team who scooped our internal Teamwork award. We spoke to three team members to find out how they work together, what makes them an award-winning team and what they love about working in the Birmingham South team.
We are delighted to announce that the next stage of the Living Black at University Commission will be jointly led by Unite Students and CUBO (College and University Business Officers), as we look to continue the Commission’s work on supporting equity, inclusion and belonging in student accommodation and beyond.

Living Black at University: Our new partnership with CUBO

We are delighted to announce that the next stage of the Living Black at University Commission will be jointly led by Unite Students and CUBO (College and University Business Officers), as we look to continue the Commission’s work on supporting equity, inclusion and belonging in student accommodation and beyond.
In our latest episode of Accommodation Matters, we get to grips with the student accommodation supply demand - and how we can solve this issue.

How can we solve the student accommodation supply problem?

In our latest episode of Accommodation Matters, we get to grips with the student accommodation supply/demand problem - and how we can solve it.
Unite Students' Station Court after refurb
24/04/2024

Unite Students completes £5.7m refurb of London property

Unite Students, the UK's largest provider of student accommodation, has refurbished a 220-bed property in London to improve resident experience and help realise its aim of becoming net zero carbon.
Students enjoying a karaoke event, similar to those organised by our Resident Ambassadors

What’s next for our Resident Ambassador programme?

By students, for students - our Resident Ambassador programme helps students to build a community in our buildings while being paid for their time and effort. Heather Hunter, Resident Experience Programmes Officer, shares how we enhanced the scheme for this academic year, some of the events our Ambassadors have run across the UK this year, and how we’re tweaking the programme for 2024/25 to make it even better.

Our new sustainability report: How Unite Students is making a positive impact

At Unite Students, we talk a lot about sustainability. But what do our actions mean in a wider context, what are we aiming for, and what have we achieved so far? We’ve laid it all out in our first annual sustainability report – available to download now.
10/04/2024

Q&A With Joe Lister and Mike Burt

Q&A with Joe Lister, Chief Executive Officer & Mike Burt, Chief Financial Officer

Q&A with Karan Khanna

Karan leads the operational and commercial functions for Unite Students, working with his team to enhance the student experience, deliver commercial performance and raise brand awareness.
Unite Students' Freestone Island development in Bristol
09/04/2024

Unite Students receives planning permission for two major schemes in London and Bristol

Unite Students, the UK's largest provider of student accommodation, has received planning approval for a landmark 952-bed property in east London and 500-bed scheme at a key Bristol location.
Unite Students' Meridian Square development
09/04/2024

Trading update and Q1 fund valuations

Unite Students, the UK’s leading owner, manager and developer of student accommodation, today announces an update on current trading and quarterly property valuations.
As the first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) provider to offer a student support service, Unite Students is constantly looking to evolve its student wellbeing offer. New for 2023/24, our Student Assistance Programme bolsters our provision of round-the-clock support. Here, we outline what the programme includes, how it has benefited our residents, and what we’ve learned since launch.

What our Student Assistance Programme offers students

As the first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) provider to offer a student support service, Unite Students is constantly looking to evolve its student wellbeing offer. New for 2023/24, our Student Assistance Programme bolsters our provision of round-the-clock support. Here, we outline what the programme includes, how it has benefited our residents, and what we’ve learned since launch.
The 2023 Student Academic Experience Survey showed that 1 in 4 students feels lonely most or all of the time – and that number is growing. With loneliness carrying the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and having a substantial impact on mental health, academic performance and student retention, this month we’re asking: how can Higher Education end student loneliness?

How can Higher Education end student loneliness?

The 2023 Student Academic Experience Survey showed that 1 in 4 students feels lonely most or all of the time – and that number is growing. With loneliness carrying the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and having a substantial impact on mental health, academic performance and student retention, this month we’re asking: how can Higher Education end student loneliness?
Amy Round joins Unite Students
20/03/2024

New Group People Director joins Unite Students

Unite Students, the UK's largest provider of student accommodation, today announces the appointment of Amy Round as Group People Director.
Dean Ditta, Student Safety Manager (Nights), Birmingham North

Interview: Putting student safety first at Unite Students

Student safety is of the utmost importance at Unite Students. Our Birmingham North team’s focus on safety was recognised at our Stars Awards in November, picking up three awards. We caught up with Davinder Sanghera, General Manager, and Dean Ditta, Student Safety Manager (Nights), about their award-winning safety approach. 
Our 3 Regional Student Support Managers: Ami-Rose, Luke and Jenny

Meet our Regional Student Support Managers

Our three Regional Student Support Managers advise our frontline teams on complex support cases, work with university partners to provide a joined-up support process for students and help to develop our staff training. For University Mental Health Day, we spoke to Ami-Rose, Luke and Jenny to find out how they got into student support, what they want to achieve in 2024, and what issues they think need more focus in student support.
Bernadette Cochonat, Head of International Sales and Partnerships at Unite Students, first developed a Chinese cultural awareness workshop for our teams in 2017 – since then, she’s run more than 100 sessions. Here, she tells us about her workshops: why she created them, some of the insights she shares with our teams, and what’s next for the programme.

What student accommodation teams should know about Chinese culture

Bernadette Cochonat, Head of International Sales and Partnerships at Unite Students, first developed a Chinese cultural awareness workshop for our teams in 2017 – since then, she’s run more than 100 sessions. Here, she tells us about her workshops: why she created them, some of the insights she shares with our teams, and what’s next for the programme.
Heads of Operations, Lettie Hubbuck and Vic Simmons

Interview: Meet Lettie and Vic – our new Heads of Operations

Living with us as students, working their way up through our operations teams and with experience in our central support functions - Lettie Hubbuck and Vic Simmons are the perfect ambassadors for Unite Students. With Lettie and Vic having recently been promoted to Heads of Operations across our Scotland & the North and South & Central regions respectively, we caught up with them to find out what their core principles are for student accommodation.
27/02/2024

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unite-Group results for the year ended 31 December 2023. Record earnings, strong outlook for 2024/25 and significant growth opportunities.
The eighth season of Accommodation Matters is here - and this time, we're talking everything to do with the Building Safety Act and how it intersects with student accommodation.

What the Building Safety Act means for student accommodation

The eighth season of Accommodation Matters is here - and this time, we're talking everything to do with the Building Safety Act and how it intersects with student accommodation.
What the Newcastle development could look like
19/02/2024

Unite Students enters joint venture with Newcastle University

Unite Students and Newcastle University have contracted to form a joint venture to develop 2,000 beds
Jenny Shaw (HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students) gives an overview of the work of the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce, five actions for student accommodation teams and how you can submit your own good practice to inform the Taskforce’s work.

How accommodation teams can support national work on student mental health

Jenny Shaw (HE External Engagement Director at Unite Students) gives an overview of the work of the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce, five actions for student accommodation teams and how you can submit your own good practice to inform the Taskforce’s work.

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