PODCAST · business
Unite Students Accommodation Matters
by Unite Students
Accommodation Matters is a dedicated podcast for anyone working in or associated with student accommodation. Host Jenny Shaw is joined by university student accommodation leaders from across the UK, national policy experts and subject specialists.
Episodes
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S09E06: Wellbeing and the class of 2025
With a new academic year just weeks away, we’re looking at the class of 2025 – and the factors that influence their wellbeing. Our expert panel discusses how key factors like part-time work, sense of community, loneliness and settling into a new city can impact student wellbeing, and what...
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S09E05: Joint venture partnerships
They’ve made headlines and opened up a whole new opportunity for the future of student accommodation… so, in this very special episode of Accommodation Matters, we’re exploring joint venture (JV) partnerships. This half-hour episode will tell you everything you need to know about JVs – why...
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S09E04: Refurbishments: Future-proofing student accommodation
Every building needs a refresh at some point. Whether it’s adapting amenity spaces to meet changing student needs or refreshing the look of bedrooms, a refurbishment can unlock significant improvements in student and employee satisfaction. But balancing budgets against quality and student...
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S09E03: What does student satisfaction look like in 2025?
In an increasingly competitive student market, understanding the drivers of student satisfaction has never been more important. This month, we’re getting into what student satisfaction looks like in 2025. Hosted by Jenny Shaw, our panel covers what satisfaction surveys tell us about student…
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S09E02: Compassion - Student wellbeing’s newest buzzword
‘Compassion’ is the word of the moment in the HE sector. But why, and what does that look like in practice? Join host Jenny Shaw and an expert panel for a deep dive into how compassion is shaping new approaches across UK Higher Education, in student support and beyond. This lively discussion…
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S09E01: Designing community in student accommodation
Season 9 launches with something a little bit different. To celebrate four years of Accommodation Matters, we took the show on the road to GSL Live and recorded a live episode! Join host Jenny Shaw for a lively panel discussion about designing community within student accommodation – including…
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Bonus episode: What we know about the Class of 2024
In July, Unite Students launched the 2024 Applicant Index: an in-depth look at the needs and concerns of this year’s university applicants. We recorded an episode about the findings at the time – now, as these applicants take up their places at university, we’re sharing our full interview with…
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S08E07: Innovations and inspiration for 2024/25
The Higher Education sector is full of ideas for improving student life. Last year, we asked our listeners to get in touch with what ideas and initiatives they’d launched in their accommodation – and our listeners loved it. So we’re doing it all over again. Join host Jen Steadman for this month’s...
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Special episode: The Student Accommodation Podcast Summit
🎧 The special Student Accommodation Podcast Summit Episode is out now! Accommodation Matters host Jenny Shaw recently collaborated with experts Sarah Canning and Deenie Lee (The Property Marketing Strategists), Dan Smith (Student Housing Consultancy), Laura Bosworth (REAL), Richard Stott…
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S08E06: 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…
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S08E05: What the 2024 General Election means for student accommodation
Political decisions can reshape the whole Higher Education landscape – so no doubt you’re keeping an eye on the 2024 General Election campaign. But what does it mean for Higher Education and student accommodation? In this episode, we’ve enlisted an expert panel and host Jenny Shaw to tell us just...
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S08E04: Emerging trends in student mental health
Content note: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including suicide. 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. More and more...
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S08E03: How do we solve the student accommodation supply problem?
It’s the episode you’ve been waiting for… An explosion in student numbers. A contraction in houses of multiple occupancy (HMO). Challenges to building new developments. Any one of these could have created a PBSA supply issue – but together, they’ve created a crisis in many cities. Our expert…
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S08E02: 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…
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S08E01: What the Building Safety Act means for student accommodation
Grenfell Tower (2017). The Cube student accommodation fire, Bolton (2019). Two disasters that reshaped the landscape for building safety in student accommodation, and led to stringent new legislation in the Building Safety Act. But what does the Building Safety Act actually mean for purpose-built...
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S07E03: The future of social impact in Higher Education
It’s the final episode in our series on the future of sustainability in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)! The festive season is a season of giving, and so this time we’re looking at social impact – giving back to local communities by making a positive difference. Our guests dive into...
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S07E02: The future of race and inclusion in student accommodation
Hot off the launch of the new Living Black at University Commission report, we’re continuing our focus on the future of sustainability within purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) with this month’s episode on race and inclusion in student accommodation. With Black students being the UK’s...
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S07E01.5: What does sustainable construction of student accommodation look like?
Unite Students has committed to becoming a net-zero carbon organisation by 2030 – with new developments in particular being targeted for a reduction in carbon. But what does a sustainable new development look like in practice right now, what solutions are there to key sources of embodied carbon,...
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S07E01: The future of environmental sustainability in student accommodation
Accommodation Matters is back for its seventh series! For this series, we’re focusing on the future of sustainability within purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). First up is what most people would think of when hearing the word ‘sustainability’ – environmental sustainability. Our panel of...
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S06E07: Innovations and inspiration for 2023/24
With a new academic year rapidly approaching, we wanted to know what new and exciting initiatives are being rolled out in Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) around the UK – so we asked you, our listeners, to submit their own contributions about what they’re doing differently for the…
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S06E06: What do we know about the class of 2023?
In September, a new cohort of students will be walking through the doors of universities up and down the UK. So, in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters, we’re looking at what we’ve learned about this cohort through our 2023 Applicant Index research, what universities are doing to...
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S06E05: Supporting students through the cost of living crisis
Last year’s cost of living episode of Accommodation Matters proved to be the most popular yet – but more than a year on, how has the cost of living crisis moved on, and what does the cost of living picture look like for students in 2023? Our expert panel explores a wide range of talking points...
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SE06E04: Supporting international students’ mental health
International students make up a substantial proportion of the UK’s student population, but how do their mental health needs differ from those of home students? That’s the question we’re looking to get to the bottom of in this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters. Host Jenny Shaw oversees an...
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S06E03.5 What is the ‘Journey To A Million’?
Following on from our latest Accommodation Matters episode ‘What does 1 million applicants mean for student accommodation?’, we now share Jenny Shaw’s full interview with Ben Jordan, Head of Policy at UCAS, about the UCAS ‘Journey To A Million’ essay series – sponsored by Unite Students and…
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S06E03: What does 1 million applicants mean for student accommodation?
UCAS is projecting that by 2030, there could be up to one million applicants for Higher Education in the United Kingdom – throwing up countless considerations across the sector. The UCAS essay series Journey To A Million is exploring some of these issues and how they might play out through the…
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S06E02: Meeting the needs of neurodivergent students
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...
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S06E01: Student belonging - behind the buzzword
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...
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S05E03: What are the latest trends in student accommodation marketing?
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...
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S05E02: Hidden risks: Reducing harms from high-risk student behaviour
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...
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S05E01: Student accommodation: home or hotel?
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...
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In Conversation with... Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed
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...
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S04E06: Preparing for the class of 2022
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...
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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. Speaking to Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students, Dr Alexis shares her thoughts on what the Higher…
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S04E05: Postgraduates’ accommodation needs
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…
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In Conversation, Episode 1: Hillary Gyebi-Ababio
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...
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New series trailer: In Conversation
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...
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S04E04: Lessons from around the world
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...
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Accommodation Matters S04E03: The future of student mental health
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...
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S04E02: The rising cost of living
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…
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S04E01: Living Black at University
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…
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S03E03: Unite Foundation takeover
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...
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S03E02: The changing role of parents in Higher Education
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...
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S03E01 - Expectations v reality of the admissions cycle
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…
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S02E05 - Preparing for September (Part 2)
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…
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S02E04 - Preparing for September (Part 1)
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…
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S02E03 - Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education
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…
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S02E02 - Future of Higher Education
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…
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S02E01 - Sustainability
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...
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S01E05 - The story so far
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…
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S01E04 - International Students
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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Accommodation Matters is a dedicated podcast for anyone working in or associated with student accommodation. Host Jenny Shaw is joined by university student accommodation leaders from across the UK, national policy experts and subject specialists.
HOSTED BY
Unite Students
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Unite Students Accommodation Matters have?
Unite Students Accommodation Matters currently has 57 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Unite Students Accommodation Matters about?
Accommodation Matters is a dedicated podcast for anyone working in or associated with student accommodation. Host Jenny Shaw is joined by university student accommodation leaders from across the UK, national policy experts and subject specialists.
How often does Unite Students Accommodation Matters release new episodes?
Unite Students Accommodation Matters has 57 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Unite Students Accommodation Matters?
You can listen to Unite Students Accommodation Matters on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Unite Students Accommodation Matters?
Unite Students Accommodation Matters is created and hosted by Unite Students.
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