Higher Education blogs

George Moses - Student Experience Team Manager for Leeds South - shares his experience of transitioning while working at Unite Students, his journey to gender affirmation, and how student accommodation professionals can support students and colleagues going through this experience.

09/02/2023

How Unite Students supports trans employees at work

George Moses - Student Experience Manager for Leeds South - shares his experience of transitioning while working at Unite Students, his journey to gender affirmation, and how student accommodation professionals can support students and colleagues going through this experience.

It’s been a year since Unite Students published its Living Black at University report – here, we share what we’ve done since to support greater equity for Black students within the sphere of student accommodation, how we’ve partnered with others in the sector, and what’s still to come in 2023.

03/02/2023

Higher Education blogs

Unite Students’ Living Black at University Report: One year on from publication

It’s been a year since Unite Students published its Living Black at University report – here, we share what we’ve done since to support greater equity for Black students within the sphere of student accommodation, how we’ve partnered with others in the sector, and what’s still to come in 2023.

26/01/2023

Higher Education blogs

Interview: Insights into university partnership working

Moray Notman, University Partner Commercial Director, reflects on over a decade in the sector: how he worked his way up from operations management; the importance of university partnerships; and what 2023 will bring for him and the wider student accommodation market.

The Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University is delighted to announce ‘Creating meaningful change’, a conference discussing how to make student accommodation a place of belonging for Black students.

18/01/2023

Higher Education blogs

‘Creating meaningful change’: A Living Black at University Conference

The Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University is delighted to announce that the Living Black at University Conference will be taking place in Newcastle on Tuesday 7th March 2023. This free one-day event is open to universities, accommodation providers, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leads in the sector.

Jenny Shaw explores what the new year brings for Unite Students, including new research and resources to share with the Higher Education sector.

12/01/2023

Higher Education blogs

What new research is Unite Students working on in 2023?

Jenny Shaw explores what 2023 brings for Unite Students, including new research and resources to share with the Higher Education sector.

As the winter university break approaches, so does the inevitable narrative of students ‘returning home for Christmas’ – but what does that mean for those who remain in accommodation over the holiday? We explore some of the reasons why students stay in their accommodation over the festive season, best practice for inclusive operations and communications, and how Unite Students is supporting students over this period.

15/12/2022

Higher Education blogs

Supporting students in accommodation over the winter break

As the winter university break approaches, so does the inevitable narrative of students ‘returning home for Christmas’ – but what does that mean for those who remain in accommodation over the holiday? We explore some of the reasons why students stay in their accommodation over the festive season, best practice for inclusive operations and communications, and how Unite Students is supporting students over this period.

Two experts share their thoughts on marketing to students, including current data trends, the impact of cost of living, and the use of social media.

13/12/2022

Higher Education blogs

What are student accommodation marketing’s latest trends?

Jenny Shaw hosts two experts as they share their thoughts on marketing to students, including current data trends, the impact of cost of living, and the use of social media.

Unite Students’ operations are run along three regional lines – Scotland and the North, the South, and London – with each region led by a Head of Operations. We caught up with our three Head of Operations - David Marr, Steph Dale and Will White - to find out about their journey into the student accommodation sector, how they manage operations across their patch, and their priorities for this academic year.

24/11/2022

Higher Education blogs

Meet our 3 regional Heads of Operations

We caught up with our three Head of Operations to find out about their journey into the student accommodation sector, how they manage operations across their patch, and their priorities for this academic year.

An expert panel explores what the sector needs to know about student risk-taking behaviours, and how they can support students and reduce harm.

23/11/2022

Higher Education blogs

How can we reduce harm from student risk-taking behaviours?

What does the Higher Education sector need to know about student risk-taking behaviours, and how they can support students and reduce harm? Our expert sector panel speaks to Jenny Shaw.

For the first time since 2019, Global Student Living Live returned to the conference circuit, with this year’s event focused on sustainability in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Unite Students were in attendance to hear about everything from smart tech to bug burgers – so here are our key takeaways from the event.

24/10/2022

Research, insight & updates

5 sustainability lessons from Global Student Living Live 2022

For the first time since 2019, Global Student Living Live returned to the conference circuit, with this year’s event focused on sustainability in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Unite Students were in attendance to hear about everything from smart tech to bug burgers – so here are our key takeaways from the event.

Accommodation Matters is back - and we're kicking off the series by looking at the intersection between student accommodation and the hotel sector.

13/10/2022

Higher Education blogs

Student accommodation: Home or hotel?

Accommodation Matters is back - and we’re kicking off the new series by looking at the intersection between student accommodation and the hospitality sector.

Student mental health support is a shared challenge across the Higher Education sector, and a holistic, collaborative approach is fundamental to addressing it. Unite Students’ new student support framework, ‘Support to Stay’, aims to join up our student support services with those of our university partners.

10/10/2022

Higher Education blogs

Support to Stay: Supporting student mental health at scale

Student mental health support is a shared challenge across the Higher Education sector, and a holistic, collaborative approach is fundamental to addressing it. Unite Students’ new student support framework, ‘Support to Stay’, aims to join up our student support services with those of our university partners.

In her 18 years in the Higher Education sector, Jo Blair has worked her way up to become one of Scotland’s foremost purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) experts. As she moves into a new role as Head of Quality and Standards at Unite Students, we caught up with her about her new role, her experiences working with the Scottish government, and what the future holds for the Scottish PBSA market.

07/09/2022

Higher Education blogs

Interview: Scotland’s changing student accommodation sector

In her 18 years in the Higher Education sector, Jo Blair has worked her way up to become one of Scotland’s foremost purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) experts. As she moves into a new role as Head of Quality and Standards at Unite Students, we caught up with her about her new role, her experiences working with the Scottish government, and what the future holds for the Scottish PBSA market.

The July meeting of the Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University explored how knowledge and data could be better harnessed to meet the needs of Black students and staff.

31/08/2022

Higher Education blogs

How can we use data to improve Black students’ experience?

The July meeting of the Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University explored how knowledge and data could be better harnessed to meet the needs of Black students and staff.

Our latest episode of Accommodation Matters explores the findings of our recent applicant survey in more detail, as well as what the sector is doing to prepare for the arrival of new students, and some areas of focus for the future.

09/08/2022

Podcasts

Preparing for 2022’s new students

Our latest episode of Accommodation Matters explores the findings of our recent applicant survey in more detail, including what this means on the ground, what the sector is doing to prepare for their arrival, and some areas of focus for the future.

The UK’s population of postgraduates exploded during the pandemic – but who are they, and what are some of the policy pressures around this demographic?

02/08/2022

Higher Education blogs

What do we know about the UK’s postgraduate students?

The UK’s postgraduate population exploded during the pandemic – but who are they, and what are some of the policy pressures around this demographic? This blog has been kindly contributed by Dr Diana Beech, Chief Executive Officer of London Higher – the representative body for over 40 universities and higher education colleges in London.

As the academic year fast approaches, the Higher Education sector is preparing for thousands of prospective students preparing to head to university for the first time. But who are 2022’s applicants, and what does the class of 2022 need at university? With a view to starting to answer to these questions, Unite Students is delighted to share our inaugural Applicant Index report, available for download now.

21/07/2022

Higher Education blogs

What your university needs to know about the class of 2022

Who are 2022’s applicants, and what do they need at university? With a view to starting to answer to these questions, Unite Students is delighted to share our inaugural Applicant Index report, available for download now.

The latest episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Dr Alexis Brown, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute. She shares her thoughts on what the Higher Education sector's current challenges are, part-time and lifelong learning opportunities, and student wellbeing, as well as her own experiences of studying in the US and the UK.

19/07/2022

Blogs

In Conversation with… Dr Alexis Brown

The latest episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Dr Alexis Brown, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute. She shares her thoughts on what the Higher Education sector's current challenges are, part-time and lifelong learning opportunities, and student wellbeing, as well as her own experiences of studying in the US and the UK.

The Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University launched in April to effect sector-wide change in improving Black students’ accommodation experience. Representing sector bodies, charities and universities who are already running projects to improve the Black student experience, here are the Commissioners making this work happen.

14/07/2022

Higher Education blogs

Living Black at University: Meet the Commissioners

The Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University launched in April to effect sector-wide change in improving Black students’ accommodation experience. Representing sector bodies, charities and universities who are already running projects to improve the Black student experience, here are the Commissioners making this work happen.

Stable student accommodation is a vital part of widening access to university - as the Unite Foundation's 10-year impact report goes to show.

11/07/2022

Higher Education blogs

Widening access to Higher Education through student accommodation

This is the story of our role in making the Unite Foundation’s amazing work possible.

Who are the UK’s postgraduates? What do they want from their accommodation? And what are the challenges they face in accessing it?

05/07/2022

Higher Education blogs

What you need to know about postgraduate accommodation

Who are the UK's postgraduates? What do they want from their accommodation? And what are the challenges they face in accessing it? We delve into the topic of postgraduate accommodation with help from expert sector guests.

Becca Hayhurst, Head of Student Support at Unite Students

27/06/2022

Higher Education blogs

Interview: A more collaborative approach to student support

In January, Becca Hayhurst joined the organisation as our new Head of Student Support. We caught up with Becca to find out how she’s finding her role, what she’s been up to since joining, and details of our new student support strategy.

The Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University held its first in-person meeting - here are some key themes that emerged around integration.

23/06/2022

Higher Education blogs

Living Black at University Commission: themes from our first meeting

The Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University recently held its first in-person meeting in Birmingham, on the topic of integration – here are some of the key themes that emerged from the meeting.

Data shows that students’ expectations for university life don’t meet with their experience. So what can the Higher Education sector do to bridge the gap and better reflect the reality of university living to prospective students?

22/06/2022

Higher Education blogs

How can we better prepare students for university living?

Data shows that students’ expectations for university life don’t meet with their experience. So what can the Higher Education sector do to bridge the gap and better reflect the reality of student living to prospective applicants?

Jenny Shaw speaks to Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, outgoing Vice President for Higher Education at the National Union of Students (NUS), about students, community and her time at NUS.

21/06/2022

Higher Education blogs

In Conversation with… Hillary Gyebi-Ababio

Jenny Shaw speaks to Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, outgoing Vice President for Higher Education at the National Union of Students (NUS), about students, community and her time at NUS.

This summer, Unite Students is launching ‘In Conversation’: a 3-episode podcast mini-series, showcasing in-depth discussions with 3 Higher Education sector experts about their experiences, sector insights, and what they anticipate for the future.

17/06/2022

Higher Education blogs

‘In Conversation’: A new Higher Education podcast mini-series

This summer, Unite Students is launching ‘In Conversation’: a podcast mini-series, showcasing in-depth discussions with 3 Higher Education sector experts about their experiences, sector insights, and what they anticipate for the future. Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director and series host, shares more.

A sense of belonging is essential to a positive working and living experience, underpinned by factors including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and wellbeing.

15/06/2022

Higher Education blogs

Belonging: How we’re creating room for everyone at Unite Students

A sense of belonging is essential to a positive working and living experience, underpinned by factors including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and wellbeing. As such, Unite Students is shifting away from the phrase ‘EDI’ and towards new language which more precisely captures the holistic nature of inclusion.

Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director, attended the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)’s annual conference on 9th June – here are her key takeaways for the student accommodation sector. The HEPI Annual Conference is always a red letter day in the higher education calendar, not least because it doubles up as the launch of the annual HEPI/HEA Student Experience Survey. This year was especially interesting, as we were all eagerly waiting to find out whether student satisfaction and wellbeing had bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. The answer was mixed, and well debated at the conference - as you might imagine. There were a few surprises in the data, and new announcements from the Minister of State for Higher and Further Education, Michelle Donelan. There was plenty in the conference that was relevant to student accommodation, and I came away realising that accommodation can address many of the issues raised; in fact, in many cases, we are already doing so. Perhaps now is the time for student accommodation to have an even stronger voice in higher education policy. There is a new Student Support Champion. Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, has been appointed as the government’s national champion for student support. Among other things he will be supporting universities to use technology and other tools to spot early warning signs that students need support, and there is a focus on the role that academic staff can play. However, accommodation staff are often the first to know when students are struggling with their mental health, so it’s essential that we get this on his agenda too. Students are much lonelier than the general population. Almost a quarter - 23% - of students felt lonely most or all of the time, compared to 5% of the general population. Alison Johns of Advance HE pulled out a student quote as an illustration: “It’s new, and I’m lost.” The popularity of the recent CUBO ResLife conference illustrates how much of a focus this is for our sector. These survey results show just how much of a difference a comprehensive and inclusive welcome and social programme is for today’s students. The government appears to have ruled out setting student number caps. Michelle Donelan said “No-one is talking about limiting numbers going to university”. Whether this is a firm promise or not we will have to wait and see, but if so we can expect the demographic uplift to bring us bumper intakes of domestic students over the coming years. Belonging is a ‘secret sauce’ and universities need to think about who will feel comfortable and happy in their institution. In a thoughtful and data-informed presentation, Josephine Hansom from YouthSight challenged universities to think very carefully about the type of students that will feel comfortable at their university, and whether this is reflected accurately in their marketing. Students can’t do well academically if they don’t have that feeling of comfort and belonging, so universities must ensure that the reality reflects the promise. ‘Living with or close to other students’ was the third biggest contributor to a sense of belonging, and it was even more significant to LGBT+ students. Josephine shared other data that showed LGBT+ young people were less optimistic, less likely to say they wanted to get to the top of their career and less likely to be entrepreneurs. As a result, we are missing out on great leadership talent as a country. Universities – and student accommodation – are “places where this can change” for LGBT+ students and other minority groups. Black students and students from other ethnic minority groups feel a lower sense of belonging. The survey replicated the findings of our Living Black at University research about the lower sense of belonging among Black students. We know already that what happens in accommodation can have a significant impact on Black students’ sense of belonging, and as a sector we are already working on addressing these findings. This is a real opportunity for student accommodation to lead the wider sector on this important issue. If the survey data is the colouring book, lived experience provides the colours In a powerful and moving presentation Melody Stephen, General Secretary of the University of Manchester Students’ Union talked about the importance of understanding the lived experience of students. She shared an example of a Black student who walked into accommodation and was assumed to be a housekeeper, and another of a care experienced student who arrived at university only to find that the promised support did not live up to what they had been told. It's clear that understanding the lived experience is important to making change. While the data presents a mixed bag for students, there’s a clear will across the sector to effect positive change – and student accommodation can play an important part in that. Read Jenny’s recent blog on helping students to feel a sense of belonging in their accommodation here.

10/06/2022

Higher Education blogs

HEPI Annual Conference: 6 takeaways for student accommodation

Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director, attended the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)’s annual conference on 9th June – here are her key takeaways for the student accommodation sector.

What does student accommodation look like in different markets, and how does the UK’s provision differ from the US and Australia? Learn more from the lively, informative discussion in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters.

07/06/2022

Podcasts

What can UK accommodation providers learn from overseas PBSA?

What does student accommodation look like in different markets, and how does the UK’s provision differ from the US and Australia? Learn more from the lively, informative discussion in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters.

Money can be a major stressor for students

18/05/2022

Higher Education blogs

What you need to know about the widening student gender money gap

Following on from our recent cost of living research, Vivi Friedgut – Founder and CEO of Blackbullion – explores an unexpected finding from their Student Money & Wellbeing report, published this year.

The Unite Foundation has supported more than 500 estranged and care experienced students at university

11/05/2022

Higher Education blogs

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022: Being there for estranged LGBTQ+ students

Family estrangement is sadly all too common for LGBTQ+ students. For Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, Fiona Ellison - Director of the Unite Foundation - shares what the Foundation is doing to support estranged and care experienced LGBTQ+ students, and what Higher Education institutions can do to support their mental health and wellbeing.

09/05/2022

Higher Education blogs

What’s next for the future of student mental health?

We take a deep-dive into current student mental health trends, the latest thinking in the student support sector, and what this means for the future of student mental health.

Belonging is fundamental to a positive student experience

03/05/2022

Higher Education blogs

5 ways to help students feel they belong in their accommodation

In the second of a two-part series, Jenny Shaw – Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students – offers her insights into helping students to feel a sense of belonging in their accommodation.

Muslim students make up approximately 10% of the UK's student population

29/04/2022

Higher Education blogs

Doing more for Muslim students in UK student accommodation

With the number of Muslim students in the UK likely to grow in the coming years, we look at what challenges they face, and how we’re supporting our Muslim community at Cambrian Point, Cardiff, to celebrate Ramadan.

Unite Students were a gold sponsor of National Student Pride 2022

13/04/2022

Higher Education blogs

Supporting LGBTQ+ students at National Student Pride

Unite Students was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of National Student Pride, the UK’s biggest LGBT+ student event, last weekend (8-10th April). Here’s what we did at the event, why we did it, and what we’re doing to support LGBTQ+ students and employees here at Unite.

Going to university can be seen as risky to prospective students from the perspective of belonging

11/04/2022

Higher Education blogs

“It’s a bit scary”: Risk, belonging and higher education

A new Social Market Foundation report, sponsored by Unite Students, outlines how social patterning can influence prospective students' choice to go to university. Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, outlines how the risk of not belonging can also affect the choice to go to university, and the impact that familiar, trusted careers advice can have on this.

The cost of living crisis is currently impacting on students' finances

07/04/2022

Higher Education blogs

What does the cost of living crisis mean for students?

The current UK cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, and students are no exception. Three experts share what the sector needs to know about the current situation, including our new survey data on the topic.

05/04/2022

Higher Education blogs

Accommodation Matters S04E02: The rising cost of living

Our latest episode of Accommodation Matters delves into the big topic of the moment - the cost of living crisis, and what it means for students and their accommodation.

Sarah Reynolds, Area Manager for London South at Unite Students and and the new chair of ASRA

18/03/2022

Higher Education blogs

Leading the sector: My ASRA manifesto

Sarah Reynolds, Area Manager at Unite Students, is the new chair of ASRA. Here, she outlines her sector experience, why she put herself forward for the role, and what her plans are for ASRA.

The majority of today's students are part of Gen Z

09/03/2022

Higher Education blogs

What does student accommodation look like for Gen Z?

Adapted from a presentation given at the 2022 ASRA Conference this week by Pin Yiong and Victoria Simmons, intrapreneur Ericka Yabut outlines some of the key characteristics of Gen Z, how this drives what they want from student accommodation, and what we’re doing to accommodate this.

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Higher Education blogs

How Unite Students supports trans employees at work

Unite Students’ Living Black at University Report: One year on from publication

Interview: Insights into university partnership working

‘Creating meaningful change’: A Living Black at University Conference

What new research is Unite Students working on in 2023?

Supporting students in accommodation over the winter break

What are student accommodation marketing’s latest trends?

Meet our 3 regional Heads of Operations

How can we reduce harm from student risk-taking behaviours?

5 sustainability lessons from Global Student Living Live 2022

Student accommodation: Home or hotel?

Support to Stay: Supporting student mental health at scale

Interview: Scotland’s changing student accommodation sector

How can we use data to improve Black students’ experience?

Preparing for 2022’s new students

What do we know about the UK’s postgraduate students?

What your university needs to know about the class of 2022

In Conversation with… Dr Alexis Brown

Living Black at University: Meet the Commissioners

Widening access to Higher Education through student accommodation

What you need to know about postgraduate accommodation

Interview: A more collaborative approach to student support

Living Black at University Commission: themes from our first meeting

How can we better prepare students for university living?

In Conversation with… Hillary Gyebi-Ababio

‘In Conversation’: A new Higher Education podcast mini-series

Belonging: How we’re creating room for everyone at Unite Students

HEPI Annual Conference: 6 takeaways for student accommodation

What can UK accommodation providers learn from overseas PBSA?

What you need to know about the widening student gender money gap

Mental Health Awareness Week 2022: Being there for estranged LGBTQ+ students

What’s next for the future of student mental health?

5 ways to help students feel they belong in their accommodation

Doing more for Muslim students in UK student accommodation

Supporting LGBTQ+ students at National Student Pride

“It’s a bit scary”: Risk, belonging and higher education

What does the cost of living crisis mean for students?

Accommodation Matters S04E02: The rising cost of living

Leading the sector: My ASRA manifesto

What does student accommodation look like for Gen Z?

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