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 are, what stands out from previous cohorts, how the sector will have to adapt to their needs, and what they themselves are doing to prepare for this year’s new student arrivals.

Host Jenny Shaw is joined by an expert panel made up of:

• Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)
• Melissa Browne, Head of Operations at University College London (UCL)
• Jo Blair, Regional General Manager for Scotland at Unite Students

Talking points include supporting the transition to university, cost of living challenges, sustainability and behaviour change, the evolution of the student accommodation sector over time. Panellists also share their tips for what advice they would share with new students.

You can find the Unite Students 2022 Applicant Index Report, previous applicant survey results and our Living Black at University report at the Unite Students website.

HEPI’s 2022 Student Academic Experience report is available at the HEPI website.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 26th July 2022 and was produced by Ed Palmer.