Unite Students Accommodation Matters

Following on from the publication of Unite Students’ new report into the university and accommodation experiences of neurodivergent students, this month on Accommodation Matters we’re talking through some of the findings and recommendations. Guests talk through practical ways for universities and accommodation providers to make student accommodation a better environment for neurodivergent students...

Welcome to the sixth series of Accommodation Matters – bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. In this episode, host Jenny Shaw is looking to learn more about the sector’s hottest topic: student belonging. The experts share their insights on topics including how a sense of belonging comes about in student accom...

Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation, and this month, we're exploring all things student marketing. Our expert panel, hosted by Jenny Shaw, looks at current data trends in student accommodation marketing, as well as the importance of brand, the impact of cost of living on both students and...

Content note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex work. If you or someone you know needs support with the topics discussed in this episode, there are specialist organisations that can help you in complete confidence – please refer to the ‘Support’ section of the show notes for signposting. Accommodation Matters brings together sector expe...

Welcome to the fifth series of Accommodation Matters – bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. We’re kicking off the new series by looking at the intersection between student accommodation and the hospitality sector. Host Jenny Shaw is joined by a very special panel made up of student accommodation practitioner...

The final episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed, Assistant Chief Executive - Standards at student housing charity Unipol. Victoria plays a major role in overseeing Unipol's national codes and standards for student accommodation, and now she shares her insights from 15 years in the student accommodation sector with host Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Enga...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. It’s almost time for a new group of freshers to arrive at universities across the country, and the Higher Education sector is hard at work preparing for their arrival – so this month’s Accommodation Matters panel weighs in on who this group of students...

The latest episode of our In Conversation mini-series stars Dr Alexis Brown, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Higher Education Policy Institute. Speaking to Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, Dr Alexis shares her thoughts on what the Higher Education sector's current challenges are, part-time and lifelong learning opportunities, and student wellbeing...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This month, we’re exploring the postgraduate accommodation market, asking: who are the UK’s postgraduates? What do they want from their accommodation? And what are the challenges they face in accessing it? Host Darren Ellis is joined by an expert panel...

This summer, Unite Students is sharing ‘Accommodation Matters: 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. Hosted by Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director, this first episode features Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, outgoing Vice...

This summer, Unite Students is bringing you brand new mini-series In Conversation. Host Jenny Shaw speaks to sector experts one-on-one for an in-depth discussion about their Higher Education experience, insights and future predictions. We'll be bringing you three episodes over the summer in addition to our monthly Accommodation Matters episode. Tune in to Episode 1, an interview with the National...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This month, we’re going around the world to hear about what student accommodation looks like across different markets. Discussion points include the differences between student accommodation provision in the UK, United States and Australia, how each ma...

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including suicide, eating disorders and domestic violence. If you need support with the topics discussed in this episode, there are organisations such as Mind (0300 123 3393), Samaritans (116 123) or Student Minds that can help you in complete confidence. Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This month, we’re looking at the cost of living crisis: how it’s affecting students, what this means in the context of student accommodation, and what it might mean for the future. Host Jenny Shaw is joined by an expert sector panel made up of: Vivi Fr...

Accommodation Matters is back for a new season, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. In February, Unite Students launched Living Black At University, the first report into the experiences of Black students in student accommodation; you can download the report here . This episode of Accommodation Matters feat...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This month’s episode is a takeover by the Unite Foundation, an independent charity that supports estranged and care-experienced students through university with a unique scholarship that supports their bills and accommodation throughout the duration of...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This month, we’re taking a deep dive into parents and their role within Higher Education, covering how parents engage in their child’s university experience, what this means for students, and the impact on student accommodation. Jenny Shaw – our Higher...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. Series 3 kicks off with a look at the 2021 admissions cycle and what it’s meant for students, universities and accommodation providers. Talking points include how universities have met the needs of an expanded student cohort, the picture of this year’s...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. In the second episode of our ‘Preparing for September’ two-parter, our panel of expert sector guests discuss their plans to welcome students to campus in September, how they’ll be meeting students’ needs (as discussed in the previous episode), and how...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. In the first episode of a two-parter that focuses on preparing for September, our panel of expert sector guests discusses September’s incoming student cohort; their needs, anxieties and expectations, and how the sector can respond to those concerns. Ho...

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This month, our panel considers race and inclusion in Higher Education after a year that has thrown race equality into sharp focus across all walks of life. Our guests delve into what work had already been done in the sector prior to 2020, how much las...

Accommodation Matters, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. Our April edition is all about the future of Higher Education, with Alister Wilson of Waverley Management Consultants providing provocations on what this might look like. Our panel considers the impact of Covid on established modes of university tea...

Accommodation Matters is back for a new season, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This season kicks off with a look at environmental sustainability: why sustainability movements have gained traction in recent years; how sustainability is relevant to the Higher Education sector; and what universities, acco...

In September 2020, Unite Students launched the Accommodation Matters podcast, recognising the need for a space to discuss the implications of Covid-19 for universities and accommodation providers, and how these have impacted, and will impact, on students’ living and residential experience.   Our host Darren Ellis, Higher Education Engagement Director at Unite Students, takes us through a selection...

Host Darren Ellis returns with a new panel of experts to tackle the subject of international students in the UK. In this episode, the panel discusses how recruitment efforts have been adapted in light of Covid, which markets we’ll be looking to for the next generation of international students, and how accommodation teams can make sure they have a great experience living and studying in the UK. Da...