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UK university accommodation
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Each year, UK universities attract high numbers of overseas students, and their success in doing so is dependent not only upon offering high quality courses, but also upon providing attractive accommodation options. Jane Vernon Smith reports.
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As UK higher education provision has gone through a period of dramatic growth over recent years, there has also arisen a need to create more accommodation suited to student needs. Universities have, therefore, been busy expanding and updating their provision in this area, and, in some cases, looking to partnerships with outside companies.
As one of the UK’s newer universities, Wrexham-based Glyndwr University offers a choice of modern accommodation. Halls of residence are available either on campus or just outside, either with or without en suite bathrooms, and the campus halls also benefit from larger communal kitchens. A third option is a student village – part of which opened in 2010.
In what it claims to be a unique arrangement, the university quotes a combined package price for tuition fees and accommodation covering a student’s first year, and, according to spokesman, Tom Ashton, its prices are some of the most competitive in the market, starting at UK£6,950 (US$10,876) for 2011 entry. Hence, its own accommodation is “by far” the most popular with students. However, for those who wish to live together in a house with friends, or do not want hall-style accommodation, Glyndwr works with outside providers and, says Ashton, these properties are carefully managed.
Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe currently provides two halls of residence with a total of around 630 rooms, while also offering around 450 further rooms under a head tenancy scheme, whereby, explains International Officer, Helen Moore, students deal and contract with the university itself, rather than with the landlord. She notes that by managing properties on behalf of owners and companies, the university has greater control over the quality and the service levels for students in terms of maintenance and rent.
In addition to institutions’ own accommodation stock and that supplied through private landlords, new third-party accommodation specialists are increasingly getting involved in the student market. Offering a variety of accommodation, in purpose-built blocks, across different locations, they sometimes provide their services directly to students and in other cases work in partnership with universities, who use them to supplement their own provision.
One such provider that plays a major role in the market is Liberty Living, which currently has almost 15,000 beds in halls of residence across 17 UK cities. Nido Student Living, meanwhile, is active in London, where it owns three sites, and has agreements with both universities and schools to provide student accommodation. Liberty Living operates primarily under nomination agreements with university partners.
In such circumstances, the universities enter into agreements with the company in order to ensure the maintenance of adequate standards for their students. “We consider relationships with universities, who are key participants in student accommodation, as a fundamental plank in our business strategy, and look to develop long-term commercial relationships with [them] as a matter of course, in whichever cities we are operating,” explains Liberty Living’s CEO, Charles Marshall.
According to Managing Accommodation for International Students: A Handbook for Practitioners, a 2010 publication by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) on behalf of the charity, Unipol Student Homes, there are a number of significant differences between the accommodation needs and expectations of UK home students and overseas students studying in the UK (see table). Key to these differences is the fact that overseas students are often self-funding, which makes them especially conscious about what they are getting for their money. Furthermore, the study points out, the high tuition fees charged in the UK for all non-European Union students leads to higher expectations of product quality and service.
One finding of the study is that international students often have a strong wish to live in the university’s own accommodation (or that directly allocated), and preferably in a complex, rather than in small units, so that they benefit from a ready-made community. At Glyndwr University, international students are guaranteed a room for their first year, Ashton comments, and may also be able to continue living in university accommodation for subsequent years.
Nido’s London halls are very popular with international students, who account for 85 per cent of the company’s demographic, says Nido spokesperson Anna Coverdale. Meanwhile, highlights Tim O’Brien, Director of Student Experience at Into University Partnerships, which provides study centres and accommodation on university campuses across the UK for students preparing for entry to UK universities, “International students are a very important market to the student accommodation sector in general. They are very diverse,” he adds, “and, with the recent changes in the world economy, have become even more discerning and price-sensitive.” While price is important for both home and international students, Moore highlights her belief that it is more so for internationals. O’Brien concurs, adding, “It is critical to be able to offer accommodation that is excellent quality, but not prohibitively expensive.” He adds, “Our experience has been that international students are more concerned about value for money than cost. So, while competitive pricing is important, ensuring students are safe, comfortable and well supported is the over-riding priority.”
Many factors aside from accommodation type contribute to the final choice of where to live. “Internet connectivity and cooking facilities seem important to our students,” comments Ashton at Glyndwr, “as do access to the gym, and sports fields.” He adds, “An en suite bathroom is important to some, but not all of our students. Many are happy to share with their hall mates.”
The experience at Liberty Living reveals some similarity, with high-speed Internet on a consistent basis – and increasingly, wireless access – commonly requested. Meanwhile, other priorities include quick response to maintenance issues and good, respectful staff on site. In addition, says Marshall, en suite facilities are “an absolute priority” for most, while O’Brien confirms that en suite facilities, good site security and Wi-Fi are valued by students at Into.
Priorities for non-UK students when choosing accommodation features (UK student priority % in comparison)
Access to bus routes/transport links: 85% (71%)
Area has a reputation for low levels of crime: 80% (54%)
Accreditation scheme approval: 77% (66%)
Choosing the number of people you live with: 56% (77%)
Access to shared communal living space: 55% (82%)
Utility bills included in rental price: 55% (34%)
Being able to choose the housemates you live with: 54% (81%)
Living independently ‘in a real home’: 48% (66%)
Non-UK (UK)
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