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Research, insight & updates

What’s the latest research and insight from Unite Students? Delve into our findings on students, student life and student accommodation.

Living Black at University: Call for case studies

We are inviting the submission of case studies to be included in the Unite Students Commission on Living Black at University's final report, to be published in summer 2023.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
23/11/2022
Corporate blogs

Playhouse findings are most important in Unite Students’ history

During our development of Hayloft Point, our flagship property in the heart of the London, a Museum of London Archaeology team discovered the Boar’s Head Playhouse, the most significant find during Unite Students’ 30 years of building properties.

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.

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.

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.

In conversation with: Luke Brooker helps support wellbeing on our development sites

In conversation with Luke Brooker, Head of Delivery at Unite Students. He spoke to us about his role, mental health, wellbeing initiatives onsite and overcoming practical challenges to deliver these.

In conversation with: Caleb Rooke, HR Advisor and Wellbeing Champion

On World Mental Health Day, Caleb spoke to us about his role as a Wellbeing Champion at Unite Students and why it is important for the business to offer support to employees.

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 conversation with: Lawrence Rojas, project manager at Campbell House, Bristol

In conversation with Unite Students' senior project manager, Lawrence Rojas. He spoke to us about his role and latest project - Campbell House – a new 431-bed property in Bristol city centre, situated on the site of a former Georgian Hospital. 

In conversation with: Adrian Muir, project manager at Hayloft Point, London

In conversation with Unite Students' project manager Adrian Muir. He spoke to us about his role and latest completed project - our new flagship property, Hayloft Point, Aldgate, London

A student accommodation sector that works for students

Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed, Assistant Chief Executive - Standards at student housing charity Unipol, shares her insights on the changing accommodation landscape, what universities and accommodation providers need to know – and do – to make sure students have the best possible experience, and the challenges of overseeing codes and standards across the student accommodation sector.

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.

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.
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.
08/08/2022
Press releases

Unite Students gives employees £500 payment to help with rising cost of living pressures

Unite Students is giving its employees a £500 one-off payment to help with the rising cost of living.

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.

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.
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.

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.

Widening access to Higher Education through student accommodation

Since inception, the Unite Foundation has supported more than 500 estranged and care leaver students to access Higher Education, and has this year announced an expanded cohort of 100 scholarship students. This is the story of our role in making the Unite Foundation’s amazing work possible.
07/07/2022
Press releases

Manchester Pride recognises Unite Students’ commitment to equality

Unite Students, the UK’s largest operator of student accommodation, has had its equality, diversity and inclusion practices recognised by Manchester Pride.

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.
01/07/2022
Corporate blogs

PRIDE: “I can thrive and be myself at Unite Students”

On the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first official pride march, we’ve caught up with two of our LGBTQ+ employees to understand what working at Unite Students in 2022 means for them.

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.

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.

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?

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.

‘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.
15/06/2022
Blogs

10,000 BLACK INTERNS: Providing opportunities for all

In June, we welcomed nine interns to Unite Students as part of our partnership with 10,000 Black Interns.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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